That is the book of Mia. At least, for the first years of her life, that book told her story. It has many, many sections and is 5″ thick. See?

Every evaluation, every iep, every treatment and report that I got for Mia was held in that book. When she was first diagnosed, I became somewhat obsessed with learning absolutely everything I could about autism. Somewhere along the lines, I read a piece of advice that really stuck with me. The mom said that IEP meetings and such could be incredibly impersonal. She said it was easy to get lost in the crowd of experts and that to remind all of them that it is your child they are there for, it was crucial to put pictures of your child on the front of whatever binder/folder you brought.

It was incredible to look through that binder. There are all sorts of forms and notes about Mia’s struggles. The constant therapies that involved all sorts of alphabets… TSS, BSC, MT, OT, etc… As I look at the papers now, I see names I had long forgotten. Leslie, her first TSS, who spent 3 hours every weekday with Mia. All the different therapists, case managers, and specialists are named. The teachers… Ms. Stephanie and Mrs. Vidak. So many people supported my little girl when she had so few tools to speak for herself.

I am now especially enjoying all of this because we got really big news today.

That little girl who once could not speak; that little girl who had a baby sister she never even noticed; that little girl who would scream and rage and bite when she was not understood; that little girl who would bolt if she got the chance; that little girl who seemed lost to me once upon a time…. that little girl got in to college today.

My mama bear heart is ready to burst. All those therapies were worth it. The special GFCF diet that allowed Mia to speak was worth it. The hours in the car going from social skills group to pre-school to OT to Health Horizons were worth it. The tears I shed so long ago when I felt helpless have been redeemed.

I don’t know if I am doing a very good job of relaying the true weight of this news to you, but if you knew Mia then, you get it. If you have ever known a child who struggled with autism, I’m betting you get it. If you have ever watched your own child struggle, I know you get it.