2020

Oh 2020 . . it was a doozy! Any routine we thought we had went up in smokes.

Regardless of the chaos and set backs I am happy to say Nolan had some big victories this past year. His words are increasing! I used to write them down on the fridge and make sure he said them each day in some way. I didn’t want him to lose them. You see, there is a video on my social media from about 2 years ago where Nolan started saying “mama mama.” And it was BEAUTIFUL! The thing is, he never said it again. He actually has a lot of trouble saying anything with the “m” sounds right now. So anyways, I used to keep that list on the fridge with the words he would say and find ways to practice them each day in our natural environment. The beautiful thing is that now we don’t have a list on the fridge because there are too many words for that! He attempts to say anything I tell him to and has about 10-15 words that he can say on his own.

Now that doesn’t mean he holds conversation. His words are all things he wants. Run, go, get up, stuck, hop, popcorn, eat, cup, ride, bath, phone, and a few more. They are amazing though because we never really knew if he’d ever be able to talk. It gives us so much hope for the future too.

He’s gained these words through so much practice and work through ABA therapy and through all these biomedical changes this past year. There is no doubt his mind is clearer, he is so aware of the world around him, he seeks our attention and praise, and loves playing with his cousins and sister. Right at the end of 2020 we had our yearly visit with his biomedical doctor. We repeated all the tests that were done on our initial visit. The results showed how much is body has healed and changed for the better. His doctor made a few tweaks and was really pleased with how quickly he progressed!

One of the biggest victories in 2020 for Nolan is potty training. I watch him go in the bathroom by himself, use the bathroom, flush the potty, and go back his playing . . and I am just amazed. It didn’t happen over night and it wasn’t easy at all. But whatever it was finally clicked and he did it! He goes all by himself during the day now. We are still working on #2 but man we are on the right track now! It is honestly a day I wasn’t sure would come; and that’s not just because of how hard it was. Some kids with autism are never potty trained.; and not for lack of trying. Some kids with other disabilities aren’t able to use the toilet at all. It is something that is definitely taken for granted until you know otherwise.

Harper asks me sometimes why Nolan does things different. Like, why doesn’t Nolan go to big church with us - because he doesn’t know how to use an inside voice yet. Or why can’t Nolan write his name - because he has trouble using a pencil right now. And why does Nolan bite himself sometimes - because he has trouble understanding how to control his emotions. There are so many of these questions and her answers are always, “well I can teach him how.” God knew what he was doing when he gave us that sweet girl. And she is right . . we will teach him. And in his own time he will do all the things too!

On Instagram last week I saw this and loved it! The Polynesian language for the word autism is “takiwatanga.” This means, “in his/her own time and space.” That really couldn’t be more true for Nolan and so many kids like him. He’s really taught us to throw out the “normal” of society, kick it to the curb, and celebrate what we have today! That is a lesson I think everyone can take away from the year we just had and on into 2021!