"The time has come," the Walrus said,

"To talk of many things:

Of shoes—and ships—and sealing-wax—
Of cabbages—and kings—
And why the sea is boiling hot—
And whether pigs have wings."

Today is Tuesday.

I have decided that on Tuesdays, I want to blog about my amazing little boy and the journey we are taking together through the maze of autism.

On this date last year, Samuel had only been diagnosed nearly 6 months.

You are given the diagnoses and told that your child needs this and this, this and this, this and this.  The list goes on.  I have said several times that to me the diagnosis was not devastating......what was devastating was the huge list of things that we needed to accomplish and learn for our child.  Devastating because you are told all of this, but nothing is given to tell you how to begin......where to begin.  You are told that time is of the essence.  The earlier the intervention, the bigger the chance of success.  But, everything takes so long to get done!  Setting up appointments, evaluations......2 months, 4 months, 6 months and all the time the clock is ticking.

So, you educate yourself.

What exactly is mild to moderate autism?

You search the internet.

You read.

You scream.

You make telephone call after telephone call.

You think you find a jumping off point only to have that door shut.

You cry.

Another glimmer of hope.....

another disappointment.
Pray for guidance,  for calm, for patience.

Then.

Then finally.

Then.

Samuel started therapy.

Speech and Occupational Therapy.

It wasn't everything on the list, but it was a beginning.

A beginning of hope.

When I first started to type this post, my intention was to tell of a conversation that I had with Sam today.  I have told a bit more than I intended!  But I was thinking about all the hours of dedication that have led us to this moment in time.
The hours of speech therapy, occupational therapy and behavior therapy.
The team of people that care about Sam.
People he loves.
It started with Miss Beth and Miss Megan.
Now he has Miss Debra and Allison.
Miss Marcia and Hannah.
Miss Randie and Addie.
Last, but not least, Miss Teresa.
They say it takes a village to raise a child.  I am not sure if I agree with that, but I know that it takes a team of wonderful people to help my little boy reach his full potential.  To help him see the world and embrace it.
Every person at church who bends down to look Sam in they eye, to tell him "Good Morning Sam!"  His Primary teachers who care.

Every struggle, every minute........
it is all worth it.
I had a short conversation with my boy.
Monday afternoon, sitting in the drive thru at McDonald's.
To many it may not even seem like a conversation, but it was.
Sam:  It is day
Mum:  Yes, it is day
Sam:  Day and night, night and day
Mum:  Which do you like best, day or night?
Sam:  I like day
Mum:  Why do you like day best?
Sam:  Day is best, night.....sleep
Mum:  What do you like to do in the day?
Sam:  School
Mum:  Anything else?
Sam:  Play in sand

Then, the darn french fries and chocolate milkshake, minus the cherry, came and all conversation ceased.  Words gave way to lip smacking and slurping.
But, I was full - and it wasn't french fries.
It was happiness and gratitude.

Sally-Ann