CaitieOct 7, 20211 minSky at NightSky at Night We finished reading and she rolled over on her side facing away from me. Sick from a cold, the usual fight in her was gone....
Casey Jun 25, 20213 minPanicOften, I feel like an imposter writing about neurodiversity, autism, and PDA as a neurotypical woman. Throughout my life, social and...
Casey Jun 24, 20213 minThe Flight ResponseTwo weeks ago Cooper finished kindergarten. After an incredibly unpredictable year of school – the bulk of which was a virtual, peppered...
CaitieJun 21, 20213 minNeurokinNeurokin: a word used to describe someone who is the same neurotype as you Lately, Rose has been saying things that reveal her loneliness...
Casey May 28, 20215 min"My Body Won't Let Me"A few weeks ago, during my younger son’s afternoon nap, my sister invited us to join her and her children at the park. Cooper was sitting...
Casey May 25, 20214 minTraveling the Same PathwayWhen I reflect on my experience of motherhood before PDA awareness and fully understanding my son’s brain-wiring, the overriding feeling...
CaitieMay 3, 20212 minIn Praise of the Tired ParentYou, sitting on the kitchen floor, Your sobbing child’s head in your lap, I praise you. I praise you, on your hands and knees, Scrubbing...
CaitieApr 29, 20213 minHiatusI stopped writing much of anything a few months ago because my heart hurts too often. I suppose a good deal of the world’s best writing...
Casey Mar 24, 20214 minOne is Not EnoughA few weeks ago, I took Cooper to an appointment to discuss his progress since his Autism evaluation in the fall. He sat in the chair...
CaitieMar 16, 20215 minOne Hour of One DayI remind myself of the times since the birth of my second child that I have felt like a successful, competent parent. I have given both...
CaitieFeb 28, 20211 minBeautiful BrainOne night she was talking about a show she loves. “It's a good rhyme! ‘Molly of Denali!’... like ... Rose of Ridgemont Road!” “Well,...
Casey and CaitieFeb 28, 20217 minParadox CAITIE I was sitting on the edge of Rose’s bed, cutting out paper hearts for Valentine’s Day. Rose was reclined in the pod swing hanging...
CaitieFeb 26, 20211 minThis ConditionThis condition, a persistent, inaccurate threat assessment is taking a toll. How exhausting to navigate such an uncertain world. Her...
CaitieFeb 24, 20213 minWhen We KnewThroughout my pregnancy with our first child, I would occasionally catch my husband with a pained, anxious expression on his face. I came...
CaitieFeb 23, 20213 minWhere I Come FromMy great-grandmother, Eva Marie, was the first in my maternal line to go to college. She went to Eastern Michigan University and became a...
Casey and CaitieFeb 17, 20216 minJanuary 6th, 2021CASEY The moment a violent mob stormed the U.S. Capitol, Cooper was leaping through the air onto a crash pad at occupational therapy. His...
Casey and CaitieFeb 13, 20216 minChristmas EveCASEY On Christmas eve, my mother and stepfather came over, donning masks, to exchange presents with the kids. It was a small gathering,...
CaitieFeb 11, 20212 minHighs and Lows CAITIE My daughter is almost six years old. She was diagnosed with Autism two years ago, and I recently came across a specific profile...
Casey Feb 10, 20215 minOn DiagnosisWhen my first son was born six years ago, a deep self-doubt seeded in my heart and sprouted alongside of him. His atypical behavior and...
Casey and CaitieFeb 9, 20218 minSmall OpeningsCAITIE Rose and I had a conversation a few months ago about PDA. It was a profound conversation, but the details of that conversation are...