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Navigate Life Texas: Resources for kids with disabilities and special needs
Navigate Life Texas: Resources for kids with disabilities and special needs
September 21, 2018 | By: Melissa Morphis
Categories: Family Support
Our son, Draven, was diagnosed with autism when he was 7, about four years ago. He also has an intellectual and developmental disability (IDD), which made the diagnoses process complicated.
Helping Draven be successful has had a huge learning curve for me and my husband. It has been a process that, at different times, is either successful or horrible.
Draven hardly talks. When he does, it is very quiet and often unable to be heard. We have learned to use pictures and apps that help him communicate his wants and needs.
He loves his routine. And when something is off, he lets everyone know. We try hard to keep his routine. But we also know that he must learn that things do not always go the way we want it to. Finding that balance is something that we are still working on.
Draven is very sensitive to crowds, loud noise, and certain textures. Planning family outings or vacations can be a bit of a challenge.
We recently went to Dallas to see a specialist and wanted to plan some fun things for our family to do. Draven loves LEGOS, and we thought LEGOLAND would be a great treat.
Oh, how we were wrong!
As soon as he walked in, you could see him withdraw and pull into his shell. (Several years ago, my husband noticed that when Draven gets overwhelmed, he is like a turtle pulling into his shell. We have used that description ever since.)
He did not want to look at the displays or play any of the games. He wanted out! It was probably the shortest visit to LEGOLAND in history.
Life is a lot of trial and error, but we never give up trying. The Family Support section provides lots of information and help for parents of children with disabilities.
With any child, recognizing cues is important. But as they get older, sometimes it is harder to do.
Categories: Family Support
“Being a mom is like jumping out of a plane with a bunch of people who don’t know how to open their own chutes. So you fly around doing it for them. Then you hit the ground. But you don’t die. You get up and you cook dinner.” -Unknown
Categories: Family Support
There are times when we get overwhelmed. Which way is up? How do I deal with all this? Therapy is one of those tools we don’t know we need until we do.
Categories: Family Support