MetroMom Tara Hamilton
Tara Hamilton is the mother of a 7 year old son who has Autism and is non-verbal. She balances the daily challenges of raising her son, working part-time for an accounting firm, planning her wedding, and being an advocate for Autism Awareness as a member of FEAT-NT, ASCC, and SAGE.

MM - When did you start noticing that things were different for your son?

He developed regularly and with his peers until 15 months old. At 12 months old he had several words including "go", "mama", "dada", "bye", and "car". After his MMR shots late, at 14 months old, he started regressing and very quickly lost all of those words plus became withdrawn. By 18 months old he had a diagnosis of Pervasive Developmental Delay and began ECI with in-home Speech Therapy.  

MM - Your career has to be flexible to allow for you to take your son to his therapies; how do you balance the two?

You mean it looks as though I balance the two?!?! Ha! The only way I am able to do that is because I have the most wonderful boss in the entire world who allows me to have a flexible schedule and not have to take my work home with me! I have to determine what therapies are most important and start with what we can afford. My time with my son is the most important thing to me so we just don't have some of the luxuries that we would if I worked full-time. And we are all okay with that!

MM - How do you make time for yourself and how do you use it?

I usually don't make time for myself. My family makes that time for me. I am blessed with extremely involved parents that all take care of our son so that his Father and I get a break or a date-night every once in a while. We know that the divorce rate in families with special needs children is ridiculously high so we really tend to our relationship so that it doesn't ever get too stressful or hard on us. When we do get that weekend together we usually always go to a movie or two. We are a movie oriented family. Maybe that's why our son has an addiction to Pixar movies?!?! When I get time by myself, I usually get a much needed pedicure or do some shopping!

MM - If you could only brag about one person that helps you do it all, who would it be and why?

Jason and I have been together for 4.5 years (I know!!!) and haven't been able to afford to get married. Brandt's therapies cost a fortune and we haven't been able to set aside enough for a wedding. Plus, we lose certain benefits once we are married so we have had to budget that out also. However, we have scrunched and pinched pennies enough to have a very small wedding in March. Finally! Without Jason I would lose my mind. He keeps me calm and focused. He is the exact opposite of me (loud and driven) so he keeps the balance and peace around our house. He accepts me and Brandt and loves us unconditionally and is our number one supporter. Without him, I wouldn't be the Mom that I am :)

MM - Do you have a parenting motto?

I have many parenting mottos but two really stand out...."Never put anything into your child’s body that you wouldn't give them orally (vaccines)!" and "Cherish every single minute you can. Twenty years from now I don't want to say to myself "I wish I would have spent more time with him and done more things with him." so I am doing anything and everything now. Never take a milestone for granted. Celebrate everything!"
 
MM - What advice to you have for parents who suspect their children show signs of Autism?

Educate yourself. Read and google everything. Talk to your doctor at the very first sign and go with that "Mommy" instinct you have. Never give up.