Are you afraid to HOPE for your Baby on the Spectrum?
Not knowing what was possible, I took my daughter with Autism from nonverbal, to sign language, to potty trained (using a sign for the potty), to making sounds, to word approximations to speaking. Today she is 11 years old, chatting up a storm, in a general education class, and Neuro-Typical Folks wouldn’t know she had Autism if I didn’t tell them.
These results weren’t about the things I did, but more about the HOPE I held tight to and never let go that these results were possible AND this day would come.
What is so beautiful about our brain, (and also so dangerous) is our right to choose.
I am not talking about the choice of the actions or interventions we take to help our babies, but of the THOUGHTS WE THINK.
I can THINK mediocre things, take mediocre action, and get mediocre results.
OR….
I can THINK SHOOT FOR THE STARS things, Take SHOOT FOR THE STARS action, and get SHOOT FOR THE STARS Results.
The choice is always yours and you make it again and again every minute of every day.
AND if you’ve struggled with your thoughts, you can also change your mind at any time as well. WHAT A BLESSING!
When Julianna was pre-verbal, I did not know what was possible.
I could think “WHY HOPE?” I could be setting myself up to be hurt and for failure.
But instead, I was INTENTIONAL in CHOOSING to think “WHY NOT HOPE!”
When you make the DECISION on HOPE you have nothing to lose and SO MUCH to gain.
If you look at 2 mothers, 2 fathers, 2 grandmas, 2 caretakers, etc., one thinking WHY HOPE.. one thinking WHY NOT HOPE… and you were a betting person… Who would you put your money on?
WHY NOT HOPE!
Also LOVE and CELEBRATE the small wins.. small wins compiled lead to BIG GAINS, but throw some of that HOPE on top… Some delicious thoughts like:
“This is just the beginning”
“Every day we are 1 step closer”
or one of my favorites … “I can’t wait to hear her say I love you or mommy (and mean me)”…
This type of HOPE is like rocket fuel for your baby’s progress.
xo Michelle
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