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With Special Needs
Our Journey
Every family’s journey is different. Here, I share ours—the questions, challenges, milestones, and moments of joy we’ve experienced while raising Addy and supporting her growth. I hope our stories help other families feel understood, find useful ideas, and know they’re not alone.
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Teamwork Makes the Dream Work…
“Teamwork makes the dream work” – there’s a reason why this saying is popular…it’s true! Having the right team in life, is the way we...
Christine McCarty
2 min read
Quotes to help through tough times…
With everything that is going on in the world, I thought it would be most appropriate to share some of my favorite quotes that help me...
Christine McCarty
1 min read
Fear…
A word I am too familiar with. A word that haunts me every day. I live in fear. Yes, I wrote it and will write it again…I live in fear....
Christine McCarty
2 min read
Events & Programs for Special Needs Kids…
I am thrilled to announce a new feature on Raising Addy! We will now be highlighting upcoming Events and Programs for special needs kids...
Christine McCarty
1 min read
My Purpose Behind Raising Addy…
I believe that there is a purpose behind everything we do or choose not to do. Whether intentional or unintentional, everything has a...
Christine McCarty
1 min read
Top Go-to Resources…
After taking last week off from blogging as Addy graduated kindergarten (way to go Addy!), I wanted to share some great resources that...
Christine McCarty
2 min read
Dear Future Self…
Yes, this is a letter to my future self about being a parent. Not just a special needs parent, but simply a parent who loves her kids...
Christine McCarty
1 min read
After the autism diagnosis…
The second most asked question I get after how did you know Addy was autistic (see blog post on number one - How I knew my child was...
Christine McCarty
2 min read
Addy’s eyes…
They say an early sign of autism can be seen in a child’s eyes. According to the National Institutes for Health, “Beginning as young as 2...
Christine McCarty
2 min read
What not to say…
Do you ever wonder what to say to a special needs parent? What not say? How can you help or support them? I wish I had the answer, but I...
Christine McCarty
2 min read
Vacationing with a special needs child…
Vacationing should be fun, relaxing and not stressful. However when traveling with kids, we call it a trip, not a vacation - Ha! Now add...
Christine McCarty
3 min read
Justin’s perspective…
I can’t thank my wife enough for all that she does for our family. In a way, I don’t feel qualified to write on this topic. Make no...
Christine McCarty
2 min read
What is Autism Spectrum Disorder…
For me, the word Autism was scary and a bit unclear on what it actually meant. Having Addy diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder forced...
Christine McCarty
2 min read
My perspective…
According to the documentary, “Autism Every Day,” divorce rates for families with autistic children are as high as eighty percent (80%)...
Christine McCarty
2 min read
Determining the right school for your special needs child…
Deciding on a school for your special needs child can be overwhelming and confusing. However, before you decide which school is right for...
Christine McCarty
2 min read
Finding the Light…
As parents/caregivers, there are many moments in raising children, typical and special needs, where we just need to find the light at the...
Christine McCarty
2 min read
A Day in the Life of Raising Addy…
I wanted to write a post for all those parents/caregivers raising special needs children. Our stories might be different, but we all have...
Christine McCarty
2 min read
How To Deal With Frustration While Climbing Mt. Everest…?
A word I associate with parenting is…frustration. As a parent, I often find myself frustrated that my kids aren’t listening, taking...
Christine McCarty
2 min read
Addy’s Top 3
As a special needs parent/caregiver, the amount of information as well as products can be overwhelming. What works for one child, may not...
Christine McCarty
3 min read
The 5 Lessons I have Learned…to date
The journey is far from over, but as I look back over the seven years raising a special needs child (eleven from my first born), there...
Christine McCarty
2 min read
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