Wishful Wagon

  Discussion of topics to build awareness, increase knowledge-base, and ultimately assist in conquering the challenges of being special parents of kids with special needs, such as those with autism or adhd.      T o my disappointment, my son was not interested in books at all for a long time.  I was very well aware of the importance of reading to your child daily, and I wanted to do it.  It made me happy to think about sitting with him in my lap and reading to him.  But, as I stated, he was not interested.  He pulled the book out of my hands, tried to turn the pages after I'd read only two or three words, would rip the pages instead of turn them, or would just look anywhere and everywhere besides at the pages in the book.  It seemed he could not focus long enough to appreciate what I was reading about.     My dad had actually bought a book for my son when he was a young toddler.  This was not surprising to me because my dad regularly read books to me every night when I was a little

  Discussion of topics to build awareness, increase knowledge-base, and ultimately assist in conquering the challenges of being special parents of kids with special needs, such as those with autism or adhd.     G oals have to be set to make progress.  Without a doubt, I want my son to make progress.  But I have to admit, I have often felt hesitant to set a goal and work with him to attain it.  Much like I fear my own failure, I fear his failure.  I have been afraid to try because, 'what if we are never able to do it?'  Pitiful, I know, but honestly, the fear is real.  Fortunately, with parental shame as a catalyst along with a sense of parental responsibility that is stronger than my fear, I am able to muster up some courage to do what needs to be done.  One does not need to start with astronomical goals.  Starting with small goals is even better because they serve as stepping stones to reaching larger goals.     One of the most recent goals I have set is to teach my son, now