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You are here: Home / The Personal / Will A Child With Autism Know To “Look For The Helpers”

Will A Child With Autism Know To “Look For The Helpers”

April 16, 2014 by Lisa Leave a Comment

When I see the Mister Rogers meme “Look for the helpers,” I can’t help but think of my son with autism and other kids like him.

Look-for-the-helpers_LisaQuinonesFontanez_TotheMax_Parents-261x300

“What’s wrong, Mommy?” My 7-year-old son Norrin asked, putting his finger to the tear falling down my cheek.

We were sitting on the sofa last night and I was watching the news. Crying as an 8-year-old girl was talking about her classmate Martin Richard – the youngest victim of the Boston Marathon bombing.

Before I could answer, Norrin pointed to the television and said, “It’s a sad movie.”

I pulled Norrin closer to give him a hug and kiss. “Yes, baby. It’s a sad movie.”

These are the moments I am grateful for autism. Norrin is blissfully unaware of the horrific act of violence committed on April 15. The world – his world, anyway – is still a peaceful place. Norrin’s innocence is preserved another day.

It was only a few weeks ago, we were standing in a crowd of runners, waiting for Norrin to run his first race. I was nervous then – thinking of what would happen if Norrin slipped out of my reach.

And when I see that Mister Rogers meme “Look for the helpers” shared and liked all over my Facebook feed, I can’t help but think of Norrin and other kids like him.

We live in New York City. My husband is training for the New York Marathon. I cannot keep Norrin sheltered. We are constantly in crowds, taking public transportation, living our day-to-day lives. We do not and will not live in fear.

But what would happen to Norrin if he was caught in the middle of such violence? Norrin may not understand what’s going on around him. Norrin has no sense of danger. He may not be able to tell someone his name, to say that he’s lost and needs help.

As a mother, my heart aches for the Richard family, and for the men and women of Boston. But I am in awe of the humanity and compassion that reveals itself during such a tragedy. I am inspired by their resilience to keep running.

Norrin may not know to look for the helpers in a moment of panic. But I have to have hope and have faith that the helpers will look for Norrin.


Originally posted on Parents.com April 17, 2013

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Filed Under: The Personal Tagged With: Atypical Familia, Motherhood

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Hi, I'm Lisa aka @laliquin on Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest & Snapchat. I'm a 40-something mom raising a son with autism in The Bronx, NYC.

Atypical Familia is a personal blog & resource site for Typical Parents raising Extraordinary Kids. We focus on autism parenting, special needs travel, work/life balance, family entertainment and more. This is parenting from a unique perspective.

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I'm Lisa aka @laliquin on Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest & Snapchat. Get to know more about me and my familia!

Atypical Familia focuses on autism parenting, special needs travel, work/life balance, family entertainment and more. If you'd like to work with us, send us an email: autismwonderland(@)gmail.com. 

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laliquin

🐢 🦥 Slow and steady... I don’t want to mis 🐢 🦥 Slow and steady... I don’t want to miss a thing.
I should be working... but it’s Sunday and I’m I should be working... but it’s Sunday and I’m easily distracted. P.S. Why didn’t y’all tell me about Married at First Sight sooner?! How is it that 9 seasons in, I’m just discovering it?
cre•ate : bring (something) into existence 🌻 cre•ate : bring (something) into existence 🌻 woke up grateful for another day and the life I’ve been able to create. Day by day, my life gets better because I get better. It’s been a slow process. First I had to figure out the life I wanted. Then I had to realize that I DESERVE the life I wanted.
Happy. Unhappy. Stronger. Weaker. Better. Worse. C Happy. Unhappy. Stronger. Weaker. Better. Worse. Change. Complain. Accept. Deny. Accomplish. Regret. Finish. Quit. 
I DECIDE. 👊🏽
🦋 🦋
🖤 🖤
It’s more than okay. Today I can be grateful not It’s more than okay. Today I can be grateful nothing in my life turned out the way I planned. My life is turning out to be exactly the way it’s supposed to be. My HPs plan is better than I could’ve ever dreamed of. 🌻
Just winging it. Life. Eyeliner. Everything. Just winging it. Life. Eyeliner. Everything.
Never ever 🖤🌀 Never ever 🖤🌀
4🔥5 . . . . . As per my young friends “This 4🔥5 
.
.
.
.
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As per my young friends “This gotta go on the grid. This is not a story pic.” 🤣🤣🤣 Thank you for this collective effort 📷 @ashestogoodvibes @loutimes5 💛 #flyageless
euphoria: the feeling or state of intense exciteme euphoria: the feeling or state of intense excitement and happiness 🌻 I may struggle with depression and anxiety but I also have moments of pure and genuine happiness. That is where I am right now. One of the gifts I’ve received in sobriety is the ability to hold space for all of my emotions. I feel them, I acknowledge them and I let them pass. For me, it’s in the passing where the power is... I don’t stay in it. ✨ 45 is going to be amazing. ✨
Depression and anxiety can easily knock me down. B Depression and anxiety can easily knock me down. But I continue to get up. I do my hair, throw on some hoops, dab a little gloss and give myself a pep talk. Dear Me, I know you’re scared, but you can handle this. Keep going. Love, Me 🌻#selfcareseptember #radicalbodylove
No I’m sorry or explanation necessary. Just NO a No I’m sorry or explanation necessary. Just NO and keep it moving. ”No” is hard when you’re a people pleaser but boundaries are absolutely necessary. It’s something I’m learning to do to maintain my own peace of mind. Lack of boundaries invites lack of respect. And I respect myself way too much to allow anyone to disrespect me. 💥 periodt ✌🏼 #selfcareseptember #radicalbodylove
I try to start my mornings with a gratitude list. I try to start my mornings with a gratitude list. After meditating and writing my list, I opened my Beautiful You book. Describing myself in 25 words or less without using roles or physical features was not easy. It took a little time. But I did. Making healthy choices, setting boundaries is a daily practice. I am grateful I have the willingness to do so. I am grateful I can pause and breathe through my anxiety. I am grateful I have the courage to follow my dreams. Thank you @rosiemolinary - I am grateful for your words and online presence in my life. Hope we can be in the same room again soon. xoxo amiga 💛 #selfcareseptember #radicalbodylove
One of my favorite Frida quotes... I understand th One of my favorite Frida quotes... I understand the loneliness. More so during the quarantine. As painful as it has been, it’s allowed me to heal. The solitude forced me to figure myself out. I may not always be happy about my situation, but I am happy with myself. And I think it shows. 💛 #selfcareseptember #radicalbodylove
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