The best part....

There are SO many things about our Matea's Autism diagnosis that I APPRECIATE.

Um...yeah, I did say appreciate.

I LOVE that she does not give me attitude....yet.  I know that if we go to The Gap she isn't going to call me a bitch (well partly because she is 5).  In all honesty though, there are little girls that I see at the mall or Pre-K drop off that are demanding, and rude.  We are not there, not by long shot - and I am thankful for that.

She is SO affectionate.  Partly because she seeks pressure, and loves to be high up.  But she can snuggle like nobody's business. 

I HAVE to know her so well.  I HAVE to, we are so "in tune" that when I have an off day, she knows - even though no words have been spoken.  I can tell just by a look in her eye that she is terrified, and I can also tell when her behavior is linked to her diagnosis, and when she is being just plain naughty.  I think our relationship is unique, I just have to know - I don't know how else to explain it.

She can't fake it, everything that you get from Matea is authentic.  If she loves you, she loves you with every ounce of her being, if she doesn't care for you - bundle up because it will be frosty.  She doesn't give affection or attention because she is "supposed to" - she is always "keeping it real".

 

 

She can play on her own quietly.  You know when you call someone and everyone is screaming and yelling in the background, and the kids are fighting, and they never leave their mom or dad alone just for five seconds?  She can play on her own quietly.  If I gave her stickers she could play on her own for DAYS!

She doesn't mind getting dirty (usually).

She doesn't "fight" with her siblings (yet).  She doesn't annoy or bug them on purpose, she just doesn't.

She is very appreciative of everything - not necessarily with words, but with hugs, smiles, or if you got her a boat load of stickers - a happy dance.

♥