We talk About Autism.

Jeanne was having a meltdown. She was screaming, kicking, crying and her family was staring. Her dad knelt down to talk to her, but Jeanne was no longer able to hear him.

All the silverware and place settings crashed to the floor.

This year Nana and Pop Pop took me aside separately to say how well the kids were doing. How far they’ve come. How far Jeanne had come. I was immediately thankful and sad. Deep blue sad.

A public meltdown is what it took for some to see that we needed help. That this was more than “a kid being a kid.” Jeanne pulling the tablecloth down, me crying, Granger crying.

Jeanne had been kicked out of daycare for behavior and our pediatrician handed me a book on parenting and never followed up. Not even a phone call.

I cold-called county family services after Jeanne was pushed off by her doctor. We made an appointment with a therapist who had helped Granger’s co-worker. Grasping at straws until someone listened. I reached Dawn at county services and she she gave me a phone number.

The Autism and Behavior Center in Altoona, Wisconsin grabbed our hand and pulled us into a life raft out of the deep blue sea.

Jeanne had autism and now we had a plan. Therapy with a team that was for Jeanne. A team that loved on Jeanne, played with Jeanne, listened to Jeanne, rooted for Jeanne.

Fast forward to this Christmas.

Jeanne played with her cousins, ran around like crazy, and paused for a few bites on the go. No meltdowns. No forced meals or other expectations. Just a wild and free kid.

That’s the difference a summer of positive, consistent therapy for the entire family can do if someone listens and pulls them out of the deep dark sea.