Our Rowan Bears

It's been a little over a month since we got an official diagnosis for Rowan. For a long time I did not think it was even necessary to go through the process because to me Rowan was just a quirky, sweet little almost 3 year old. (Which he still is all of those things only he is now 3) It was after beginning speech sessions, and reading more about his speech pattern, which is called echolalia, that I finally decided to proceed with the clinic here that would diagnosis him if there was anything. He was put on the autism spectrum at a level 1. Level 1 has more to do with language and some social differences. It didn't come as a shock, I had taken notice of enough social things and of course, language, being the biggest and most obvious. I had also been reading, and whenever I read anything about mild autism it sounded like our Rowan bears. I was fine learning this because I felt prepared for it, but with that being said, there are still things I am trying to figure out how to navigate: Talking to others about Rowan, especially. I don't want to feel like I am labeling him, I sometimes don't want him to be treated any differently, wondering what will help or hurt him, and wondering what is necessary.
There are hard days. There are even harder realizations sometimes. Noticing how at social gathering with a lot kids Rowan will spend his time alone, in classes he is not sitting with kids his age, but sitting with the teacher. There have been a lot of supportive conversations from family and friends. After the appointment that day he was diagnosed I talked to my mom. I don't think I will ever forget her words, "I think the most advantageous thing Rowan has going for him is your family." A lot of encouragement a long these lines have come from sisters and close friends. It does help to hear.
We had gone to a BBQ and it was there that when Sam and I talked afterward we both noticed how Rowan spend the whole time by himself. I decided to talk to older boys the next morning. I told them that even though Rowan looks the same as everyone else he learns differently, and he is special, and we know that. They were very surprised to learn he was by himself that whole time. Josh sweetly told me,"I asked Rowan to come and jump with me, but he didn't want too." It's that they are trying. That counts for a lot. Later that day I overheard the boys as they took Rowan's hands that they were going to play with Rowan "because we're his only friends." Friends can come along later, and friends come and go anyway, so to have his brothers be his friends is the best it can be. They are so lucky to have each other. I think there will be  lot of teaching moments, and may help the boys learn empathy in a very real way. I know they love him, and will always care for him.
Rowan is sweet. He is lovable, he is quick to give a smile, happy most of the time. He loves playing in the water, building with magnets, listening to, "We will Rock You," watching Elmo, and loves his guys. (this includes doggy, goofy, a pillow, elmo, and cookie monster.) I love Rowan. My heart breaks some times for him, and he is always at the forefront of my mind, and I am excited to hear all his has to say one day. I am thankful that he is in our family, and thankful to be his mom.