Taurine and sweet moments

A few days ago, I started using Taurine.  Taurine is a non-essential fatty acid that helps with the absorption of vitamins and minerals, especially omega's.  I figured it couldn't hurt to try it and see if it would help Nolen, even just a little.  This may be a coincidence, but I doubt it; however, Nolen realized Stephen was leaving and said, "Bye-Bye, Daddy"!  It was amazing!!  He then ran to the door and saw him leave then ran to the window to watch him drive away, all the while saying, "Bye-Bye, Daddy." 

These are moments I didn't think were possible 5 months ago.  Nolen had never said or done anything like that before.  To compare, at just over a year old, Edward would cry and say, "Bye-Bye, Dadda" when Stephen would leave.  Nolen is nearly 2 1/2.  These mile stones are amazing to watch.

 I have now heard so many different stories of children who are newly diagnosed with Autism.  It is heart wrenching.  I believe I have been solely led by God in making decisions to treat Nolen.  Nolen stopped talking around September or October.  Shortly thereafter I had him in speech therapy.  I believe this major step has helped him recover his speech quickly.  I know that God has helped me make every single decision, no matter how hard, so that I can help Nolen find his way back to our world. 

Some really great things about Autism that I have noticed are that Nolen does not lie or try to deceive me.  Nolen is extremely caring.  He lives in the moment.  Nolen loves repetition (and so do I); therefore, we stick to the same schedule every single day with hardly any variance.  I like that a lot.  Nolen can play for hours alone.  Nolen can play with any toy, it doesn't matter if it is pink, red, blue, or broken.  Nolen does not throw many tantrums, this may just be his easy going personality, but for me that is a true gift because I have another child who can be quite dramatic at times.

Autism has changed my life for the better.  Just 5 months ago I had myself convinced I was doing fine as a parent.  I was feeding my children 3 meals with snacks and playing with them.  I was also ignoring them.  I would rush to the computer to do something for myself all the time.

Autism has forced me to step away from the computer and become a real hands on Mom.  Autism has forced me to change my children's diet completely.  I used to think that just because they were eating that that was good enough.  Not so.  I have started reading less fiction and really started learning about how our bodies work.  Nutrition is key to our long term happiness and health. Autism has taught me to be grateful for the little things, like eye contact. 

May our life lessons be hard as long as we are willing to learn from them.  I am finally coming out of my dark depression and can see the light.  Maybe just a little.