You Would Never Know

Yesterday, like most days of the week, Evan had therapy after school. We have the sweetest outpatient speech therapist. She is a doll! I love her even more because she also went to OBU! :) After every session they have, she comes out with Evan giving me feedback on their session...things he did very well and things we still need to work on. Yesterday was one of those days. One of those GOOD days. The words she spoke made my day, made my month! She said, "Today was a great day. It was one of those days where if you didn't know, you would never know." I know my eyes got big. I said, "You mean that he has autism?" She said, "Yes!"

Wow! How awesome is that??? As a mom of child that struggles with autism, something like THAT said about your child is beyond WONDERFUL! Derek and I see glimpses of the "you would never know" all the time, but it is so nice to hear it from someone who works with him all the time.

If you were around Evan for a little bit, you probably wouldn't know. However, if you hung around for a while, you would probably start thinking to yourself that he doesn't talk much or that he wants to be in a different room than the rest of the group or that he doesn't play exactly like other children you know.

Overall, autism stinks! That pretty much sums it up. However, along the way, we have learned how to manage autism, and it no longer manages us. It doesn't dictate what we do as a family. It doesn't have complete control over my thoughts every day. It doesn't keep me glued to my computer every day (like it did for four years) searching for "the cure." It doesn't keep us from much at all that we want or need to do! I am very protective though, and if it is an activity that I know will not be fun for Evan or too overwhelming for him, we just don't do it, but for the most part we are just a regular family. We try not to take ANYTHING for granted. Evan is such a happy and healthy child, and that is what is most important to us. We have challenges, but it's okay. It's really okay.

Thank you, Jesus, for this precious child you have entrusted to me. Thank you for days like yesterday. Thank you for the wonders you work in him every single day and for what you teach me along the way.