Author Archives: Alysia

I'm a a stay-at-home mom with three boys, ages eight, four and two. My middle son was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder in December 2009. My essays have been featured in The Boston Globe and Bay State Parenting magazine, Mamapedia, and The Thinking Person's Guide to Autism.

I’m So Tired

I spent all week thinking about this post. And I have nothing. I’m too tired to think. This time of year I’m just spent. Physically and emotionally done. Thanksgiving. Hanukkah. Christmas. All take emotional tolls on me because I’m not just planning a fun holiday celebration, but also organizing how we’ll get through the celebrations….

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Chanukah Oh Chanukah

Tonight is the first night of Chanukah. My kids are eagerly awaiting sundown so we can sit around the table to light the candles and of course open presents. When I was a kid, I didn’t like sharing the fact that we were Jewish. In the small town where I grew up, we were one…

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Hold My Hand

I’m sure I’m not the only one who takes Thanksgiving week as a chance to reflect on all the things I’m grateful for in my life. This year, the first year since my son’s official autism spectrum diagnosis, has not been an easy one. There have been more lows than highs. I’m well versed in…

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This Everyday Love

Every night it’s the same thing. At bedtime, I climb into my four year old son’s bed next to him, cover him with all his blankets, and have this conversation: Me: “Thanks for a great day today!” My son: “Thank you.” Me: “What was your favorite thing you did today?” My son: “My favorite part…

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