where parents of kids with special needs connect

Hello!

A big "Hi" to the Hopeful Parents community! I'm so happy to have found you.

My name is Karen and I am Mom to 3 great boys. My older two (ages 21 & 24) are typical in their development both physical and otherwise. My youngest (age 8) on the other hand has been diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome, ADHD, sensory processing disorder and severe anxiety. My new role in life has become that of advocate. Not that I wasn't an advocate for my older two, I was (still am!). But this is an entirely different ball of wax isn't it? The fact that I am now an older parent plays into the everyday exhaustion of it all but there is work to be done; papers to sign, meetings to attend, appointments to make, prescriptions to fill, bullies to apprehend, teachers to communicate with and educating the 'outside world' to do. Most days I can do it with smile or at least not a frown but then there are the days when you need someone to say, "Great job! I don't know how you do it." It's not a question of wanting sympathy or even recognition. It's more a need to hear you are doing the best you can for your special needs child. So to all of you...You are doing a great job!!

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Permalink Reply by Anita Runge Thomer on December 15, 2011 at 3:28pm

I literally just signed up here at the HP Community and this is the first post I've read on the forum. What a fantastic welcome -- thank you for taking the time to post it!

Let me be the first one to say it back to you then, Karen -- GREAT JOB!

-- Anita

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Permalink Reply by Heather Amy Price on December 25, 2011 at 8:02pm

YOU are doing a great job, and you're not alone!

Are you working outside the home too? I work at home in the evenings and deal with kid stuff all day--- it's ROUGH. The district has one of my kids attending in the morning and one in the afternoon. Looking forward to full day school, I'll tell you. :) Tooooo much paperwork and not enough time!