4. The First Steps Towards Help

So here we are—still facing the reality of having a child who is struggling. As a parent, it can be heart-wrenching to watch, knowing your child is in distress and feeling so out of sync with the world around them. But you also know that the first step toward helping them is to face the situation head-on. I reached out for more resources, as I felt an urgency that no one else seemed to understand.

After some research, I discovered that my state offered early intervention services. However, in order to get Maverick the help he needed for the therapy he was already at, I had to go through a referral process for more. But something in my gut told me that I didn’t need to wait on others—I could do this myself. So, I took matters into my own hands and referred myself for services. I called and scheduled an appointment for him to be evaluated for help from early intervention as well. The way I saw it was the more the merrier. I knew he needed occupational therapy—he was struggling, and we were struggling with him. It felt like we were running in circles, trying to make progress, but nothing seemed to stick.

Maverick had been in speech therapy, but his sessions were becoming pointless. It was heartbreaking to watch. We couldn’t even get through a session before he became overwhelmed. His therapist had suggested a short break because it was evident that Maverick wasn’t able to regulate himself enough to focus on the session. He would sob uncontrollably, and there was no way to move forward when he was so distraught.

The emotional toll this took on him—and on me—was immeasurable. The frustration of trying to help him while knowing that something deeper was going on made every day a challenge. And then, through the back and forth of phone calls and appointments, I was told something that brought a glimmer of hope: I didn’t need a developmental pediatrician to get occupational therapy for Maverick. I just needed a referral.

That was the turning point. I didn’t waste any time. I immediately called Maverick’s pediatrician to request that referral. Within 48 hours, I walked out of his office with referrals for occupational therapy and physical therapy. It was a relief, but at the same time, it felt like the first true step toward getting him the help he needed.

The very next Monday, Maverick was scheduled for an assessment for occupational therapy. I was feeling a mix of emotions—relief, but also a sense of “finally”—finally, we were moving forward.

But something else happened during this time that I didn’t share in the last post. After a speech therapy session, his speech therapist came to talk to me, and in that moment, I knew exactly what he was going to say. He expressed his concerns that there was more going on with Maverick than just a speech delay. And just as he was about to ask if I was aware of that, I stopped him and said, “I’m pretty positive Maverick has ASD. And I’m here to get him all the help he needs, so we can work together to develop his new normal.”

His response caught me off guard, and yet it gave me a sense of validation I desperately needed. He told me how much he appreciated that I wasn’t in denial about Maverick’s needs. He recognized that having a mother who was proactive and accepting of the situation, rather than resisting or ignoring it, was going to benefit our entire family. I didn’t want to be in denial—I wanted to be part of the solution.

You see, I firmly believe that God will never give me more than I can handle. There are days when it feels like too much, but in my heart, I know that I’m equipped for this. I’m ready to hit the ground running, to fight for Maverick and get him the support he needs. I knew it wasn’t going to be easy, but I was prepared to face it head-on.

Since that first assessment for occupational therapy, Maverick has shown so much promise. It’s incredible to see him making progress, even in small steps. What’s even more amazing is the fact that children’s brains are incredibly malleable, especially when they are young. There is a window of opportunity to make meaningful changes, and that window is often widest before the age of five. I have read about how vital early intervention is, and now that I’m experiencing it firsthand, I see the truth in those words.

I feel a deep sense of empathy for the parents who didn’t know, who didn’t have the resources or didn’t know where to turn when their child was young. I can’t imagine how much harder it must be to wait or to feel lost without the right tools or understanding. The later you start the process, the more work is involved, and the more challenging it can become. For Maverick, we’re fortunate that we caught it early. But I can’t help but think of those who don’t have that chance. It’s a heavy burden that I don’t take lightly.

My hope with this blog is that someone who is reading this finds resources that can help them in their own journey. If you’re in a place where you don’t know where to turn or how to get help, I want you to know that you’re not alone. There are resources, there are therapies, and there are people who understand. Early intervention is crucial, and if you’re reading this and you’re on the fence about seeking help for your child, I urge you to take that step. The sooner you start, the sooner you can make a difference in your child’s life.