The group playdate had already started at the church. The room was full of toddlers crawling, walking, and running around to various play areas. The mother put her 18-month old son down on the floor and watched him crawl off to play with the other toddlers. As she started talking with the other mothers and…
The words were still ringing in the young mother’s ears and she struggled to listen to what else the psychologist was telling her. Despite her best efforts, she could not stop hearing the word “autism”. All at once, many of the mother’s dreams for her child were cast in doubt. Milestones that most parents took…
The mother could tell it was about to begin. She had just told her two year-old that she could not have a cookie. The two year-old’s face was beginning to turn red. She was starting to open her mouth where a howling, high-pitched screech came out with the words, “I want it!” The girl proceeded…
Parents and grandparents are all huddled around little Emma as she looks around at all of the attention she has garnered. Finally, she opens her mouth and the word “mama” pops out. All of the adults become excited as Emma says the magic word again. This type of moment is one that all parents patiently…