Stacie Sherman
Journalist, Author, Blogger
Tag: autismawareness
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From One Autism Mom to Another Autism Mom (or Dad)
I know how difficult holidays can be. Many Thanksgivings, I have spent away from the cramped kitchen. I stayed in another part of the house because the noise was overwhelming for my daughter. The crowd was just too much for her. How do I get through it with a smile on my face? I count…
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NJ’s Disability Watchdog Is Leaving Unfinished Business
After seven years as New Jersey’s government advocate for individuals with developmental disabilities, Paul Aronsohn is still struck by the indifference. Year after year, Aronsohn brings attention to heartbreaking stories of disabled individuals abused in group homes and neglected on buses; families desperate to keep their violent children with severe autism from hitting them and…
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Restless Mind
It’s 6:34 a.m. and Brielle is standing over me on my side of the bed, pressing “spaghetti” on her big pink iPad. I nod and she skips back out. I search for my glasses and my phone, throw on my sweatshirt and slippers and head toward the kitchen. I close the bedroom door behind me,…
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Life in Transition
I drive with my left hand on the wheel and my right on my daughter in the back seat. My husband scolds me for it. He can pound sand. Brielle usually just humors me by holding my hand loosely for maybe a minute if I’m lucky. In recent weeks, she’s been holding on longer. Just…
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April Rains
Autism consumes us, so much so that when non-autism trauma happens in our lives, it throws us. It pushes us to the very edge of our sanity. I haven’t written in a while, but I knew April was coming. I pledged I would write every day in April, as I have done in the past.…
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Invest in Yourself
Here’s a piece of advice for my fellow exhausted caregivers: don’t let it consume you. Acknowledge the stress, plan an hour or two or a whole day of stress-free living for yourself, and then look forward to losing yourself in it. I get a break from caretaking every other weekend when my daughter spends time…
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Sudden Detours
Bumps in the winding road. The next chapter begins. It’s the first few chapters of the next book, and it’s fitting. Our lives face a critical stage. For awhile we were on a fun trip, riding a naïve wave that the toughest parts were behind us. But every time we think we have survived the…
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Just Mom
Once upon a time, there was a mom. She was a very special mom, with very special kids. She adored and embraced them. They were amazing. Every once in a while, though, she wondered what it would be like to be just a mom. Not special. Just a mom. “You’re really good with children,” a…
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Mixed Blessings
Being a parent to a special needs child is both a blessing and a challenge. My daughter’s gestures and expressions of love bring me immense joy, but I also bear the weight of her struggles. Despite the progress we’ve made, I remain cautious, knowing that her behaviors could resurface. Yet, her moments of happiness remind…
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Where It Began
I’m trying to write more. It’s been too long. I’ve had a lot of new followers and made a lot of new friends over the years. So I’m going to reintroduce myself. My name is Stacie, I am a lifelong New Jersey girl. I have been a journalist for more than 30 years. I’ve mostly…
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Friday nights
TGIF. She is so good with the Camera. We make great Snapchat shots! Quick post. Back from dinner around the corner. The local Italian place was VERY busy tonight. It was just me and my kiddos. I asked for a table by the wall or in the corner and the hostess started saying they were…
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Restaurant Etiquette
I’m kind of an expert in non-verbal communication. I can tell what my daughter wants without one word spoken. I can tell by her noises or gestures whether she wants to go to bed, or wants a drink or some ice cream, or needs help with her DVD player. I’m usually grateful to have such…