by Sarah Broady | Mar 27, 2015 | Autism, Key Ministry
My son Samuel was diagnosed with autism at 28 months old. He was mostly non-verbal, except for when he scripted his favorite movie lines or spelled out letters he saw on signs. He had no meaningful communication and he screamed a lot. He repeatedly banged his...
by Sarah Broady | Jan 23, 2015 | Autism, Church, Hope, Key Ministry
The sanctuary was dark. The air was thick with grief, tension, and anticipation of what we all knew was coming next. But nothing prepared me for what my eyes were about to behold. I was watching our church’s Easter pageant from the middle of the large auditorium. We...
by Sarah Broady | Dec 21, 2014 | Autism
Seven years ago today, I took Samuel to the Kansas City Regional Center to meet with a psychologist for autism testing “just to rule it out.” Instead, we left with an official diagnosis of moderate/severe classic autism. He was constantly scripting with no...
by Sarah Broady | Sep 15, 2014 | Autism
We were so close. All that was left was to get his drink before going to bed. Tale as old as time: Brother 1 gets mad at brother 2 and responds inappropriately and unkindly. Mom steps in and deals with each of them, explaining what was wrong, the right that should...
by Sarah Broady | Sep 7, 2014 | Autism, Grief
I was really hopeful after such a great day yesterday. It had been a full Saturday for Sam. He went to a new soccer group (his very first!), got his hair cut, and had an ice cream date with me. It was one thing after another, and that’s a lot to process. He had...
by Sarah Broady | Aug 30, 2014 | Autism
Today, my son still has autism. Every day for the rest of his life, he will have autism. But today, or rather right now, I don’t want to dwell on the difficulties autism brings and will bring when he comes home from school at the end of the day. I don’t want to wish...