Not All Autism Behaviors Are Negative
When I started this job, I really thought I would be writing about seizures each week. So, I find it kind of baffling that I barely write about them at all anymore.
Meagan Earley lives in Paris, Texas, with her three children, dogs, cats, and a turtle named Carl. She is a preschool teacher and a caregiver to her daughter, Austen, who was diagnosed with Dravet syndrome in 2016. Meagan has relied on her village of other Dravet syndrome caregivers in the years since Austen’s diagnosis, and writes her column in the hope of paying it forward to other parents who are fighting each day to help their child thrive in all circumstances.
Back-to-school season is usually filled with wonder and excitement. New clothes, new books, and even the smell of new pencils make me blissfully happy. As a teacher, going back to school with my…
Read moreWhen I started this job, I really thought I would be writing about seizures each week. So, I find it kind of baffling that I barely write about them at all anymore.
Tantrums in the grocery store when too many people are around. Biting friends and siblings when they don’t want to share their toys right away.
I come from a diverse Christian background. My mom is Mormon, while my dad was raised Episcopalian. I’ve dabbled with nondenominational, Baptist, and Pentecostal churches in my own search for what was…
Thanksgiving is one of my top two favorite holidays. But when I was a kid, my family did something at the Thanksgiving dinner table that I absolutely hated. It was a tradition…
Moms don’t get sick days. I remember my mom telling me that one day when I called in desperation. The Army had recently moved us to California for my…
I have a confession. I used to hate Epilepsy Awareness Month. Maybe it’s because our daughter Austen’s first seizure happened in November, so I’m a…
“Look at the sky, Mom, it’s orange. That means it’s Halloween!” Austen was right, the sky was a very beautiful orange that morning. But I gently tried to explain to…
Today a mom asked me if I thought she should try Fintepla (fenfluramine) for her child. They had just started a new medication and weren’t seeing any results. I told her…
I saw a meme a while back that explains what would happen if a special needs mom fell into a hole and could not get out. Many people come…
My parents have always been doting grandparents. Since my oldest daughter was born 12 years ago, it has felt like Target’s toy department exploded in my home. Almost anything my kids have…
Austen was 8 months old when we adopted Milo. Her seizures had already started, but her diagnosis was still a good four months into the future. We…
Like many families around the world, my family is home schooling this year. My degree might be in elementary education, but even so, I’m a bit intimidated by the idea of teaching…
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