Less Than a Million Words

Hayden's teachers this year asked parents to write a short essay about their child, "in a million words or less." Here is my submission.


How do you sum up your child in a short essay? Not even a million words would do and yet, maybe only a few are needed. Or even just one.

Hope.

Hayden is an amazing person who has inspired hundreds, perhaps even thousands, of people. He is fun, witty, and kind. He cares about others and always wants to do his best. He has overcome so much in his life, but can’t see for himself how far he’s come. He only sees how far he has to go. He needs and loves praise from others, and wants desperately to be just like every other kid at school. He’s confused, like every other 7th grader, about his emotions, his changing body, and his future.

Hayden is first and foremost a teenage boy who is special because of who he is. He loves babies and video games, spaghetti and ice cream, big dogs and Garfield, swimming, and his friends. Like anyone, he has things that he’s great at, and things he needs to work on. Hayden also has Autism.

In 2010, the year he was diagnosed, I began writing a blog about Hayden called Hope and Lavender. The progress he has made since then is nothing short of extraordinary. That year, at the age of four, he could only speak a few words and required full day therapy. He would hit and kick and destroy things on a fairly regular basis when his emotions overwhelmed him. He couldn’t or wouldn’t follow directions, especially if it was something he didn’t want to do. He couldn’t wait for much of anything without lots of toys and snacks involved, and he definitely couldn’t sit still. He couldn’t be around large groups of people, like at a game or concert, or anything that was even remotely noisy. And when anyone around him would start singing he would say, “No singing!” No one was allowed to sing around Hayden.

I share this to show perspective. I want others to see Hayden as I do. As a person who requires support, but who’s also capable of amazing growth, tenacity, and strength.

Last year I wrote a blog post about Hayden’s first choir concert. That night he stood on stage with 50 other kids and sang. He stood still during the concert. He sat still for the half hour before the concert started and for another 45 minutes after his group sang, listening to the other three groups.

He was nervous beforehand; he didn’t want to make any mistakes. His nervousness made me nervous. I didn’t know what to expect. I daydreamed of having to run up on stage and escort him off while he was screaming and yelling. In my mind there was a 30% chance I would actually have to do that. But those days, I believe, are now past us.

As he stood on stage, just one of the kids, and I thought about my Hayden from nine years ago, I was moved to tears as I watched him sing.

That night he did the opposite of everything I listed above from the Hayden of 2010. He used his words and kept his emotions in check. He followed directions even though he was sometimes bored or nervous. He waited, and stood amongst and in front of hundreds of people. He listened to and sang with others to un-preferred songs. For almost an hour.

This is just one example of recent milestones for Hayden. He continues to inspire and surprise us, and by sharing his story, with his permission, he has become a symbol of Hope for other families all around the world, through social media.

I will always love Hayden, no matter what he does or doesn’t do. But I’m also so very proud of how hard he has worked to get to where he is, and I can’t wait to see what’s next for him. He truly is an inspiration.

Hayden wants so much to have the same opportunities and the same experiences as everyone else. I hope that this year, if you see him struggle, you will help him to overcome his fears and hurdles. That you will see him for how far he has come, and who he is, not just for how far he has to go. That you will encourage him to try new things, and reach out to me as needed, so that we can work together to help Hayden realize his dreams.

Thank you for this opportunity to share less than a million words with you about Hayden. I’m looking forward to an amazing year for him, and you as well.

Image of Hayden showing that he's become too tall to use the monkey bars. As always, his humor shines through.

First Day of 7th Grade

Last night Hayden was very anxious about the start of school. He was worried that his combination lock was too slow, that he didn’t know where to go first (his locker or homeroom), and that he wouldn’t find his classes. Joseph and I told him that there would be lots of teachers there to help, and that he could ask an adult if he wasn’t sure what to do.

I worried that he wouldn’t pay attention on the bus ride home, and would miss his stop. I worried that he would get upset with himself, or feel embarrassed about something. I worried that I hadn’t done enough to prepare him for so many changes at once.

But today Hayden walked into school as a 7th grader. He independently went to the cafeteria to wait for school to start. He asked an adult where to go first (locker, then homeroom). He found his new locker and used the new combination. He shared his new phone number with his friends. He went to all of his classes and as far as I know, had zero issues. He paid attention on the bus and when he saw his neighborhood, he got off the bus at the right stop.

He used his new house key to come in the house and texted me and Joseph when he got inside. He followed his checklist and chatted with Grandma and Grandpa, who came by to make sure his first day went ok. He texted me that he didn’t have any homework, and later asked if he could play Minecraft with his friends. He and his friends were on different platforms and the game wouldn’t work, but Hayden tried several different ideas and wasn’t overly frustrated when they all gave up.

He said “ok” when I told him screen time was up and stopped playing his game. He came to the kitchen and started cooking his dinner when I asked him to. He made spaghetti with meat sauce on his own, without fear of the hot stove, and when he accidentally dropped some ground beef on the floor, his frustration level was only a 3/10 instead of an 8/10. When the noodle water started to overflow, he calmly moved it off the heat.

When I asked if he wanted to get his shower while I finished up his dinner, he said, “Well of course I’ll take you up on that.” Usually there is complaining about showering, even though he loves it once he’s in there.

He got his towel on his own but shouted for me after a minute. Rylie went up to see what he wanted (he forgot his washcloth), so I brought him one. He’s long struggled with time management in the shower, but today he washed his hair and body quickly and came back downstairs.

He asked if I put spices in his spaghetti and I told him I didn’t know how much he likes. So he said, “Oh, just a sprinkle” and proceeded to get garlic powder, oregano and onion powder out of the drawer. When he couldn’t find the onion powder he asked for help, but ended up spotting it in the drawer when I couldn’t find it. He sprinkled spices on his food without help.

I told him, “when you finish eating and taking your pills [vitamins], come upstairs. We’ll do some quick housework together and then you can have more screen time.” He didn’t hear me so I had to repeat myself. He said something rude about Rylie and I told him to be nice. (He’s a teenager, so I give grace.)

In a few minutes he came upstairs on his own and helped sort laundry with me and Rylie. Then we went downstairs and he chose to take out the recycling instead of doing dishes, but wanted a short break first. After a few minutes of him planted head-first on the couch, I told him that he would need to get going if he wanted more screen time before bed. He popped up and took out the recycling, forgetting that it’s in the garage and not outside, but remembering to bring back the plastic bag.

At bedtime I was joking with Rylie to bring me some of her hangers “stat”. He walked by and said, “Oh, is that a Short Circuit [movie] reference?” [It was.]

As I said good night to him and we talked about his day, I explained that he needed to be careful about what he said to his friends on his phone. I’m used to repeating myself about three times with him, telling him the same thing but in a different way so that he hears me and understands. He’s always had trouble focusing and processing. After I said it the third time he got annoyed and said, “Ok mom, I get it.”

So to lighten the mood before bed on his amazing first day, I started to say the Squirrel Pledge of Allegiance. I’m not sure why I came up with it or what all was in there, something about thanking cats for not eating me. I ended it with an Amen.

Hayden said, “Do squirrels even believe in Jesus?”

And we cracked up.

Yesterday I worried that he wouldn’t be able to do today, but deep down I knew that he would. He not only did today, he rocked it. Today he did things no one would have imagined him doing on his own nine years ago, or frankly even a year ago. Nearly every thing I’ve listed him doing in this story, he could not do on his own until recently.

Looking back at his diagnostic report at age 4, absolutely zero hope was given to me as a parent. It recommended medication first and foremost to “manage” his behaviors, then various therapies. But it didn’t say that he could get better. I know every child is different. But I also know in my heart that every child can improve in some way. They can have a better quality of life than what’s portrayed on that piece of paper.

I write about Hayden because I’m his mom and I’m proud of him. Not just as a person with autism, but as a person. I’m proud of who he is and what he does, and what he’s overcome.

I also write about Hayden, with his permission, to give others Hope. Because nowhere on that damn paper, the one that listed the thousand things he couldn’t do well and the three he could, did it ever say that someday he might be able to ride the bus home alone and have a conversation.

So I want to write a new paper. To tell all the moms and dads that they can change that crappy paper they got. They can write their own, but we can share ideas and work together. Their paper will look different from mine. But all of our papers can have good things. More good things than bad.

My paper will start with, “There is Hope for Autism.”

And it will end with a picture of Hayden.

Hayden IS Hope
Autism is treatable
FUA

(From yesterday's Facebook post about Hayden's first day)

Independence Day

I wrote this Facebook post while we were on vacation last week: 

Today Hayden truly inspired me. It was a combination of things, but it started with one moment on our bus ride to the park.

When we first boarded the bus to Animal Kingdom, he took a spot behind us. As we’re riding along I hear a bunch of college kids talking, and Hayden is chattering right along with them. I couldn’t tell if he was on-topic or appropriate because it was too loud, but if he wasn’t, no one seemed to mind.

There was a time when this level of independence and social awareness would have been impossible for him. Today he went with the flow and was one of the guys. He rode along without complaint, seemingly indifferent to the noise and crowding; he was just happy to be a chatting it up with strangers he’d just met. He did the same on a ride later in the day as well. 

Sometimes I’m amazed at what he can do and how far he’s come. Today Hayden rode a real roller coaster twice, waited patiently in multiple lines, dealt easily with frustration and fear, and walked over 11 miles in 100 degree heat, with next-to-no complaints. His sister got a toy while he was on a ride, and he didn’t even ask if he could get one too. (We’ll help him get a souvenir later.) Our entire visit to the park was one spectacular wow after another. 

There are things he’s working on, of course. But don’t we all have some things? Today was all about what Hayden CAN do, instead of what he cannot. 

I am very grateful for the disability accommodations provided by Disney, which helped make our day go so smoothly. These accommodations meant less waiting and frustration for him, and ensured that he had a chance to do all the things he wanted to do today. 

But in the end, my kid works hard to be the best he can be, and I couldn’t be more proud of him. I’m beyond thrilled about how well today went and will treasure this day for a long time. It went well because he chose to have a good attitude and go with the flow. It went well because he made it that way.

Every day he shows me that he’s capable of more than anyone once expected of him, and I’m so excited to see what’s next for him on his journey.

Hayden’s truly amazing show of independence this trip is fitting for our Independence Day vacation. He showed us how far he has come and how well he handles change and adversity now. We're all truly blessed.

Autism is treatable.

Hayden is Hope.

FUA

My 'Why'

Yesterday was the big day. I worked for 6 months to organize the Pathways to Hope Autism Conference for local families, and yesterday it all came together.

This was the 6th year for this event. It's the only one of its type in the state, and I believe in the Midwest.

The first year I planned this event, there was just one track of talks, six speakers, no vendors or sponsors. I had never organized an event of this type, and had no idea what I was getting into. That first year I was just doing what I could, and yet it was a huge success! We brought in a nationally renowned doctor from out of state. We had 150 people in the building. We helped many families.

As the event has progressed, I have added features for different reasons. Two tracks, and vendors, to bring in more families. Scholarships for families who can't afford to register. Sponsors, to help cover costs and provide giveaways to attendees. The option to purchase lunch, so that attendees can stay on site and make connections with each other. For several years, a parent panel, which allowed moms to share their stories of hope with new families. This year, we added interpreters, so that moms from the deaf community could join us for the event.

This year, we had 2 tracks, 8 speakers, 10 sessions, 12 vendors, and 12 sponsors. My final to-do list had 129 items on it.

I have been lucky to have many helpers with this project; people who believe in me and/or the reason for this event, and so have shown their support in many ways. Some stuffed folders, delivered fliers, sent emails, purchased supplies. Some moved chairs, created signs, introduced speakers, or worked the registration table. I could not have put on an event like this alone, and I'm so grateful to each of them for their help leading up to, at, and after the event. 

I'm also grateful for the support of my workplace, Cornerstone Autism Center. I am glad to have had the opportunity to bring this event to our families and community.

My friend Christine was a vendor with Wildtree

Organizing an event of this size is daunting. Coordinating over 100 people, including vendors, sponsors, speakers, interpreters, volunteers and attendees, is a monumental task. I have help, but in the end, the majority of the work comes down to me. I say this not to brag or to complain, but to be real and authentic, and honor my truth. Each year, at some point, the event becomes overwhelming to me. I ask myself, why? Why do I work so hard on this event? Why do I sacrifice so much, and continue to choose to do this event every year? Why is this so important to me?

Registered Dietitian Staci Small speaks in Room 1

But each year I hear the feedback at the event and afterward, and I gain a boost of positive energy. I'm reminded of my 'why': "This was amazing." "This was so needed." "Great event, well run, tremendous organization!! I’d love to return in the future." "I didn't know there were so many resources." "This event gave me hope."

And so each year the conference has taken place, with tweaks, changes, and improvements. Each year the event takes a new form, and Hope comes alive for one day.

I realize that my reason for doing this, my 'why', has so many facets. I want parents to know that their kids can get better. I want to see them encouraged to help their kids. I want to give them the tools to do so, to see them begin to implement those tools, and to hear later that their kids are improving.

I want to help all of the children.

But this conference needs to change in many ways if it's to continue. I don't know what the next event will bring.

I do know that I want to do things differently. It can't be what it is now. But it can still be. And that gives me hope.

Members of the parent support groups Hope for our Children and Indiana Biomedical Kids

I know that I want parents of all kids with (dis)abilities to see that their kids can have a better quality of life. I know that I want to expand the resources offered. I know that I want to keep Hope alive. And I also know that I want more help. 

If you would like to contribute in some way to the next event, please reach out. Let's brainstorm together.

Today, though, I rest. I bask in the magnificence of playing an instrumental role in an event of this size, which brought resources and information to so many. I pause to consider its impact, and how it can grow and adapt to my needs as well as those of my community.

I did this. I created something big, and wonderful, and amazing. I believed in it, and I made it happen, and I'm really, really proud of it.

Thank you to everyone who was a part of this year's Pathways to Hope Conference. I am so grateful for all of you. Thank you for being a part of something that means so much to me. For believing in me. For your part in this thing that was bigger than ourselves.

And now to rest. Recharge. Recover.

And dream-- of what the future can bring. What new, big things we can do together. What inspiration is waiting for us, just around the next corner.

Because truly I know that tomorrow can always be better than today, and that there can always, always be more Hope.

6th Annual Pathways to Hope Autism Conference

Registration is now open for the 6th annual Pathways to Hope Autism Conference in central Indiana!

Gain new ideas and make new friends. It's an amazing day of learning! This event will explore medical topics often experienced in children with Autism, such as

• aggression
• sensory issues
• allergies
• constipation or diarrhea
• acid reflux
• picky eating
• sleep difficulties
• frequent illness

If any of these topics apply to your child, please consider attending! Multiple sessions, giveaways, free resources, and vendors!

Visit our Facebook event page for more information: https://www.facebook.com/biomedCAC

Register today! http://getmeregistered.com/BiomedforAutism

Hayden Is Hope

I’ve been coming to the park with Hayden since he was small. When he was three and still non-verbal, he would enjoy running around on the playground for hours. I would play, too, for a while, then sit nearby and try to read every book I could find on the subject of autism. I’d have to look up after every page, because he tended to walk off after strangers he thought he knew.

Little kids would come up to me and ask why he did the things he did. I would explain that he had autism, and tell them he just needed help learning how to be their friend. They would run off to play with their new friend who did things differently.

He was three years old and he couldn’t tell me what food he wanted to eat, or if he was feeling happy or sad. I had to put pictures of his favorite foods on the fridge, for him to point to, and practice making angry faces so he could learn what emotions looked like.

When he first began to talk, he would say, “the tummy hurts” over and over. He was constantly in pain and it took a lot of work to figure out how to fix it.

I made him picture books of relatives that we would practice before they came over, so he would remember what they looked like. He once saw another woman at therapy and asked if it was his mom. His brain couldn’t remember what I looked like that day. This made me really sad.

One day he was able to say “I love you” to me on his own. That day was amazing. The day he learned to ride a bike on his own, and the day he first jumped off the high dive, were equally wonderful. The little things mean more because they’ve taken so much more effort to achieve.

When Hayden asks why he struggles sometimes with tasks that others find easy, and I explain that it’s part of his autism, he tells me that he hates his autism. When his sister is scared of his yelling, remembering his past aggression, she tells me she hates his autism.

I do not choose their words for them, and I do not tell them how to feel. They know that autism has changed their lives. I acknowledge their pain and grief, and still try to help them find the positives in the lives we have.

I always tell them that we want to help treat the aspects of Hayden’s autism that make his life more difficult, and keep the parts that make him amazing. There are truly both things in Autism. It doesn’t have to be black and white, good or bad, one or the other. There can be grey, and good and bad, terrible and wonderful. Just like in life.

Hayden is now almost 13 and a completely different child. He no longer has constant pain. He is verbal and more aware of others. He has not had aggression in a very long time. He’s fairly independent and doing well in school. He has a few good friends and enjoys reading graphic novels and playing video games. He still loves Mario and wants to be a computer programmer when he grows up.

He will take the trash out with minimal complaints. He helps bring in the groceries and puts them away. He likes salad and will begrudgingly play with his sister, sometimes without being asked.

The other day at the library I took this picture of him playing a casual game of checkers with another boy he’d never met. Just two kids at the library, playing a game. No adults prompting how to play or what to say. No one running off screaming when he didn’t win.

Tonight at the park my kids were playing together, and chasing a two-year-old on the playground. The child’s dad was walking laps around the small area. As he passed me he said, “You have nice kids.” He didn’t ask about repetitive motions or sounds, because there weren’t any. He didn’t have to remind Hayden to stay in the area or play appropriately. He simply appreciated that my kids were accommodating his little one in a game of hide and seek, and he wanted to acknowledge them.

I can still remember the first time I got through a grocery store with Hayden without any screaming. And the day that he said he didn’t want me to tell the waitress that he had autism. Today was kind of like that.

Before we went to the park today, I asked Hayden to read his school book for ten minutes. He said ok without any fuss and said, “I’ll set my timer.” He grabbed his iPad (for the timer) and disappeared to his room. I went up ten minutes later to see if he wanted to come with me and Rylie to the park, expecting him to say No and ask for time on the computer instead. But when I walked in the room he said, “I know my timer went off, I just want to finish this part.”

Um, the timer for your very-much-non-preferred activity went off which would allow you time for your very-much-preferred activity, and you’re going to finish the chapter?

I said, “Would you like to come to the park with me and Rylie?”

“Ok, yeah.”

He chose to play at the park over time on the computer. But I guess he’s really always been that way.

Hayden and I have proven many people wrong. But it was never about that and it still isn’t. It’s only ever been about making tomorrow better than today.

For Autism Awareness Month, what I want the world to be aware of is that kids with autism can improve. Not every child will make the progress that Hayden has made. For that I do feel lucky, but I also know how much work has gone into where he is. People look at us in awe, I know that. But they may not see the real effort that has been put in, from me and Joseph, from his therapists and teachers, from his doctors and other helpers, and most of all from Hayden himself. It’s certainly not all about luck. It has also been about a great deal of effort, money, creativity, patience, laughter, and tears.

Every child with autism can make improvements to their quality of life, with the right interventions.

Not every day is easy. Autism still brings its tough moments. Sunday was one. But today at the park, I was reminded of all that he has overcome, and the amazing possibilities waiting for him. I love the journey we’ve taken so far, and I’m so proud of him.

When others try to tell us what’s not possible, he inspires me to push for answers and fight for a better life for him, and for kids like him. Every person deserves to be able to communicate, to live without pain, and to have the opportunity to be the best they can be. Today my wish for all kids with autism and the families who love them, is to have the chance to live their very best life.

Autism is treatable.
Hayden is Hope.
#FUA

Progress: Flashback to October 2012

Hayden 

Hayden is now 6 and started Mainstream Kindergarten in the fall. His class had 28 kids, with a teacher and a Kindergarten aide. There were 5 kids with Autism in the class (some possibly not officially diagnosed).  Hayden could leave to the Special Needs Teacher's room if he was having trouble.  The first two weeks went really well. But after two weeks the stress of so many people and noises started to get to him. Each day he got progressively worse at school and at home.  At school he began hitting students, yelling, humming to himself and making other noises, and having meltdowns.  At home he regressed to a point where he was maybe a year ago as far as what bothered him and what he was able to do.  He couldn't focus, couldn't follow one-step directions, was thrown into a meltdown when one thing went wrong, rather than having patience and working through it. 

I asked for a meeting with all parties to discuss his options. More info to come. 

And yet, in the words of his Grandpa Phil, 

"Hayden does so well now, it's hard to remember how he was 2 years ago.  Now that I think about it, he kept his head down, didn't socialize, and arranged pencils or toy cars.   He would have a meltdown if the little objects he was arranging didn't stay where he put them.  What a difference!"

Rylie

Peek a Boo!  She tries to get the camera, and when she can't she keeps kissing my tummy, as if that will encourage me to give her the camera.

Troubles trying to follow her new diet: 

Chicken nuggets... has corn breading.
Mixed veggies. Has corn in it.
Jello.  Has sugar.
CF ice cream. Has tapioca (a starch).
Meatloaf. Made with bread.
Packaged ham. Has wheat and sugar.
Canned peas.  Sugar.

Recent appointment:

They her sit in a high chair and asked me to put the food that I brought on her tray so they could observe how she was eating. To me, nothing unusual was going on. It was her typical smashing the food, moving it around on the tray, and putting some of it in her mouth. But to them all of these things meant something. It always feels good when you take the time to go see a specialist when they confirm your suspicions.  Not only did they agree that she needed some help, but a lot of help.  I felt like someone was finally going to be able to help me help her!  More info coming soon.

FUA This week

On Thursday Joseph took Hayden to get a haircut after school. They were walking out into the parking lot and a car was coming. Joseph saw it but Hayden thought that he didn’t, so Hayden put his arm out to stop him. This is huge because even very recently Hayden has been pretty unaware of his surroundings in parking lots and has had to be reminded to watch for cars.

Yesterday there was a skunk in the road and Joseph started to cough and gag from the smell. Hayden said, “Are you ok? Because I don’t know how to do the Heimlich.”

He’s kind of amazing.

#FUA

News Reports, Honor Roll, and Team Champion

Hayden returned to Cornerstone this summer to ask some really important questions.

You can view his other news reports at this link, and this one. 

Hayden is in all regular classes this year except one. He no longer needs 1:1 support and made the A/B Honor Roll last 9 weeks.

He was also named Champion Student of the Month for his team. 

He went on a school field trip yesterday. Earlier in the week, my husband asked if I was going. I asked Hayden if he wanted me to go. His response was something similar to, "Heck, no!" I didn't really even feel nervous about him going alone. Well, maybe just a little. :) His outbursts have been almost non-existent for a very long time. He went on the field trip and was perfectly fine. Just one of the kids. The school posted a few photos on Facebook: 

Hayden in the back row

This is Hayden battling a classmate in the foam pit.

His ABA therapist said last week about him, "He has matured so much, it's amazing."

We are so proud of him.

#AutismIsTreatable

#FUA

Getting Braces

For years we’ve been going to ortho consults for Hayden. It’s been known that he needed braces but doctors agreed with me that he wasn’t ready for the process.

Apparently applying braces involves gross-tasting glue, bright lights to dry the glue, putting lots of metal in your mouth (obviously), loud noises, and holding your mouth open for a very long time.

Even just a year ago Hayden would probably have run from the room screaming and panicking.

A few weeks ago Hayden got braces. Before the appointment he expressed repeatedly that he was very scared. But he did so calmly and quietly. He sat calmly and conversed with the dental assistant. He complied with instructions and asked questions. He didn’t want to hold his Mario toy because he said he would be embarrassed, but he did hold my hand when I offered it. The appointment took nearly two hours.

We were recommended from a friend to Dr. Rebecca Bolon for orthodontia and I’m so grateful! The 1st orthodontist I tried wouldn’t let me back for the appointment with him. The 2nd orthodontist wanted $8500 for braces. Dr. Bolon accepts Medicaid for those patients whose orthodontia needs qualify as medical. Hayden has Medicaid because of his disability, and they approved his orthodontia procedures so we will not pay for the majority of his treatment. This is a huge blessing to us as a family with so many other medical bills.

Medicaid is why we went for a consult with Dr. Bolon, but it’s certainly not the main reason I loved working with her. She and her staff were understanding of Hayden and his special needs from the start. They were kind and patient with both of us and the doctor herself explained the process when I asked. She has taken her time with us at all of his appointments, without seeming at all rushed. She has a private room available for those with special needs, with calming music, a fun light, and a more quiet space. She also helps train therapy dogs, so many months of the year she will have a therapy dog at the office for patients if they request. Hayden loved having the therapy dog in his appointment, and I feel that his presence helped calm him.

When we first arrived, Hayden went to use the restroom and I mentioned to the assistant that Hayden may need a baby tooth pulled, but not to mention it to him until the very end because at our last appointment he panicked when this was mentioned. She later asked the doctor to step out of the room so that the two of them could talk about this, so they weren’t doing it in front of Hayden. They then waited until the end to pull the tooth, first using numbing cream and helping to calm him about the process, but also doing it quickly so he didn’t have time to overthink it.

I can’t honestly think of a way this could have gone better. Hayden really needs these braces, and I’m so thankful that he has an amazing team to help him through it. In the world of special needs medical treatment, positive experiences have unfortunately not been the norm for us and so I want to really express my gratitude to these professionals.

I’m also overwhelmed with pride at how well Hayden did at the appointment. The evening and next few days were a little rough for him, getting used to a new way of eating, but he handled it so much better than I could have dreamed even a year ago. He has come so far and continues to amaze me. Thank you to everyone who has helped him get here. Thank you to Hayden for being amazing.

He doesn’t feel comfortable showing off his new braces just yet, so here’s a picture of him petting the therapy dog while waiting.

#Grateful
#AutismIsTreatable
#FUA