Autism Cake Pops by Serendipitous Sweets

Hi!
My name is Jodi and I’m from Serendipitous Sweets!

When Kim asked if I wanted to take part in a month-long blog about Autism, I was both excited and scared to death! I was excited because it would be my first time as a guest blogger! I was scared to death because…well, it would be my first time as a guest blogger. I had no clue what I was going to write and even until yesterday, I still wasn’t sure. Truth is, not only have I never met anyone who has Autism, I don’t know anyone whose child has Autism. But I will do the best that I can.
 
When I was pregnant with my kids, I wanted what any other mother wants…a perfect child. I ate right (well, with some exceptions), I took my prenatal vitamins, I tried to exercise, I went to all my appointments. I even took all the tests they suggested to screen for any birth defects or genetic abnormalities. I did everything right. And I had perfectly healthy and “normal” children. I am one of the lucky ones.
As you have most likely read from previous posts or have heard from other sources, Autism is the fastest-growing serious developmental disability in the U.S., affecting 1 in 88 children and 1 in 54 boys. Every year for my kids’ well checks at the pediatrician, there was always a checklist we had to complete before the appointment. I never did it until I was in the doctor’s waiting room. And I never really understood the point of them. Until I learned that the reason for them was to look for any early signs of Autism. Because Autism is not one of those genetic abnormalities that you find during prenatal screening. When your child is born, you think you have the “perfect” child you always wanted. Then as the years go on, symptoms develop and a doctor confirms your worst nightmare. I am now thankful for those silly checklists as they could have caught that something was wrong early on.

 
My children don’t have Autism. I don’t have to worry about what their lives will be like in the future (any more than I already have to). I don’t have to devote hours and hours to appointments and therapies. I honestly don’t know if I could do it. I certainly don’t think I could be strong enough. I applaud the moms and dads whose lives have been turned upside down and will never be “normal”. They have a different kind of normal. I’m sure if I was in the same position, I would adapt…somehow. But I am thankful I didn’t have to. I was one of the lucky ones. I have it easy. The parents of Autistic children do not. I admire their strength and courage and constant devotion to their children. They are true superheroes.
I hope someday a cause and a cure is found for Autism. But until then, I’m glad there are parents like Kim, who have dedicated their life to bringing attention to the disorder and make us all aware of how lucky we really are.

Thank you, Kim.

 

 

 

Thank you, Kim, for letting me participate in this wonderful project.