rose67

Hi

I am a mum in Australia and I have two beautiful boys with their own special needs. My eldest son is 71/2 and has a language disorder, normal IQ, but with an integration aide and doing well in school. My other son, nearly 4, was diagnosed with mild-moderate autism in September 07. Just want to know if anyone experiences the roller-coaster ride of one day feeling like you are grieving and the next feeling OK and knowing that everything will work out the way it is supposed to! I feel that he is special and unique and no one child is the same. I hate the "Label" and I hate it when people with "normal" children say to me "he'll be fine" because I feel like they just dismiss all the feelings I have, but then again I have to understand they aren't in my shoes! He is placid, gentle, happy and sweet, just mainly has no eye contact, non-verbal and not interested in other children at daycare. He is affectionate though and happy and I just thank every day for the fact that he is here, even though he is a little different and "challenged". He is my little angel and I feel that he is here to teach me something (on my good days) and that he chose me to live this life of his, come what may. The fear of what he will be like as an adult is the scariest thing, will he be OK, will he function ok without me or will he need care all his life, but you know life is uncertain for all of us anyway, we don't know what is ahead for any of us. Love them unconditionally, believe in them and know that they are special souls and they are beautiful, not everyone is the same. Celebrate their strengths, work on their weaknesses and rejoice that you have a beautiful, special unique child! I would rather have this than nothing at all. He has taught me love, patience, understanding, tolerance, acceptance... what better teacher could I have, don't underestimate these quiet souls.. they know more than we do I think.

Take care and love these special children

Rose 67 - far away in Oz, anyone out there is Australia too??