Confessions of an Autism Mom

As a parent to be we always imagine that idyllic montage of cutesy baby pics, first steps, first day at Kindergarten, First dance, Prom, Graduation, you name it. With Autism, that montage is like an MC Escher picture, quirky, beautiful but yet completely not what is expected. Many who deal with Autism focus on the serious and trying aspects but I don’t see enough of the funny moments, the are you kidding me and laugh moments, the kooky and head scratch moments. That is why I am here. To maybe lighten someone’s day or to shine some light on the positive aspects of Autism.

I have two boys with Autism, but JM is my oldest son. He turned 17 this year. To say he is a puzzle is an understatement. He loves military history, gun history, animals (mostly reptiles and frogs) and is smart as heck. Let me tell you though, on any given day he could make a Nun swear or he can make you cry with laughter. JA is my younger son (age 13 this year) – also a military history buff especially tanks, lover of lego creations and Minecraft.

AGE 2 - JM's story:

When JM was two he would try to run in the backyard without letting us know. He was a runner as the Autism world puts it. He thought it was a fun game. So one day I was looking around and didn’t see him watching TV (he loved law and order at that age – don’t ask) I called out the back door to him. Little did I know he had found a major mud bog in one corner of the yard. So in walks this head to toe mud ball of a toddler with a zero cares to give expression. I wanted to be mad but just looking at him made me cry with laughter. He was so arrogantly looking at me like yup I played in mud. So I snapped the picture now entitled Mud Day 2006. I asked him why he was covered in mud and he shrugged and said making the dirt. You would think the story would end there but It gets better though! After he took a bath then shower to get all the mud out of his ears, nose, mouth and everywhere else, I put him in a towel and went to go change as I was covered in water and mud now. That little bugger decided it was time for a naked backyard romp! So I glance up to the sliding door window near my room to see a 2 year boy nakey bottom running through the backyard where all the traffic driving past our fenced yard could see. I was mortified. So of course as any mom would do, I went running out there yelling to get his naked bottom into the house. He thought this was a lark and proceeded to play chase instead of going inside. I finally got JM in the house and dressed and he kept jabbering at me saying “mama mad! J a nakey butt! I just wub you ma.” He then patted my leg and snuggled up on my lap kissing my cheek. As I said the boy could make a nun swear but at the end of the day he has my heart.

Thanks for reading and stay tuned for more stories from the land of chicken nuggets, ketchup and repetitive movie sessions. This mom now has to go listen to a long diatribe of why the beaches of Normandy were so important and why we should get more history books for the house.