A Raising Autism Blog A week ago, a storm roiled over my house in the woods. After overly humid, sunny days, the clouds turned ashen, spreading like spilled water from a dirty mop bucket. Thunder started too—- first in the distance but then ricocheting off our windows. The storm raged for five days, soaking theContinueContinue reading “The Storm”
Tag Archives: struggling teen
The Ridge- REPUBLISHED
Into the Wilderness: Story 6 Our rented SUV was one of the last in the parent caravan. We drove along winding paved roads until we turned off onto dirt pathways, passing white clapboard houses nestled among the hills, weathered with moss, a lone horse, a few sheep hugging dilapidated barns. Then, we turned onto pittedContinueContinue reading “The Ridge- REPUBLISHED”
Happy Birthday- Republished
Into the Wilderness: Story 5 On Catina’s 15th birthday, I gave her a drug test. She walked in the door from school, a rare smile on her face, and, without as much as a “hello, honey, happy birthday,” I stretched out my arm, holding the small cylindrical container for urine collection. Surprising me, she laughed.ContinueContinue reading “Happy Birthday- Republished”
Sunshine- Republished
Into the Wilderness: Story 4 When Catina went into the wilderness, we did too. Our wilderness was inside us, the intricate branching of thought and memory that builds up over time. The feelings we had pushed aside- that most adults push aside- sprouted like seedlings in sun. I became aware of my part. I haveContinueContinue reading “Sunshine- Republished”
How Wilderness Therapy Saved My Family
Into the Wilderness: Story 43 Lately I’ve been seeing a lot of negative commentary on wilderness and residential therapy. Paris Hilton released Hell Camp, a Netflix documentary about her treatment experience. NY Times Author Kenneth Rosen has written “Troubled: The Failed Promise of America’s Behavioral Treatment Programs.” Prolific podcaster Tiffany Reese of “Something Was Wrong”ContinueContinue reading “How Wilderness Therapy Saved My Family”
Moonshine- Republished
Into the Wilderness: Story 2 When I think of moonshine it’s not bootleg whiskey that comes to mind. It’s the bold calling of the moon through the sugar maples and hemlocks on the Blue Ridge mountains. Late summer heat and humidity be damned, Catina, Chuck and I snuggled together on her sleeping bag looking atContinueContinue reading “Moonshine- Republished”
Living inside the autistic brain
Raising Autism My daughter’s hand-drawn charcoal animal portraits I didn’t watch the festivities for Trump’s inauguration, but then, other than the swearing in, I have rarely watched inaugurations end to end. Nor have I monitored Trump’s initial flurry of executive orders. I’ve had other things on my mind. Adult children with autism. As my girlsContinueContinue reading “Living inside the autistic brain”
The Truth
into the Wilderness: Story 27 Catina and I just finished listening to the Podcast musical “36 Questions,” featuring Jessie Shelton and Jonathan Groff (you may remember him as King George in “Hamilton”). Told in 3 Acts, the musical features a divorcing couple grappling with a broken relationship, lies and second chances using the 36 questionsContinueContinue reading “The Truth”
You’ll Be Okay
Into the Wilderness: Story 20 I held a cup of ice chips in my hand, spooning each glistening piece into my mouth to melt slowly. On the television, Tom the Turkey, the Macy’s Parade mascot, floated by. Chuck lounged in a stiff recliner next to my bed. It was Thanksgiving 2018, and I was waitingContinueContinue reading “You’ll Be Okay”
The spiral
Into the Wilderness: Story 18 Catina went to La Europa Academy, a residential treatment center in Murray, Utah, that uses the arts as an integral part of healing. I never regretted my choice. With Catina’s talent for music and art, this was an ideal fit. Not only did she receive almost nine hours of therapyContinueContinue reading “The spiral”