Managing Autism - A Personal View

Julie, at Autism Blog, posted this week about siblings… and in response to Julie’s post, Marla had some really interesting insights into life as a sibling of a special needs child.

So with this in mind, I decided it was time for a post about Annie - and what she brings to our lives and to our family.

Our blogging friends and regular readers will know of Annie, our delightful and beautiful little girl (yes, I’m biased - but I’m her Mum!!).

Annie entered the world just over 3 years ago, and from the moment she arrived in our arms, she brought with her a sense of calm and great sensitivity to those around her - she was like a breath of fresh air in our very ‘intense’ household.

Growing up as a toddler and now as a small child, Annie has continued to provide our family of four with a sense of calm, and her sensitivity is still intuitive.  In her own innocent way, she ’just knows’ when things are particularly challenging - always responding to our needs with ‘Annie style support’; cuddles, cheek stroking or hair rubbing.  She looks at you with eyes of knowing, a look that is often beyond her years.

Annie spends much of her play time dancing and singing… in her own little style of course, and when she’s not dancing or singing to herself she is playing house.  Her dolls are her babies, and she nurtures them just like she nurtures everyone else in the house.

Over the past few weeks it seems like our little girl has grown up considerably.  Maybe she’s just started a new stage of her development, but we’re sure it’s no coincidence that this ‘growing up’ has coincided with Jack now being at school for 4 days a week.  Annie misses Jack terribly whilst he is at school, but at the same time, she now has the time and space to be her own person… and to spread her little wings.  She relishes our ‘girls days’ and is really thriving with her speech, creativity and play.

Growing up in a world that is often tumultuous is not easy (even though living with a challenge of some nature is common place for many children in our world)…

Annie seems to take the meltdowns and challenges all in her stride.  She is very nurturing towards Jack, and very accepting of how things are… but I guess she knows no difference to what life is for us.

I commented on Julie’s post about the fact that I have often wondered about the effects of Jack’s autism spectrum disorder on Annie.

At times we have had to work through ‘copycat’ behaviours with Annie, but then to her, what she sees is normal… and I guess to us, it is normal.

Only time will tell…

I simply have to trust that with our support Annie will continue to grow to be the beautiful person she is…

… loving, caring, and so very accepting of everything around her.

We love you Ann xx