2012 has been one of the hardest years with my ten yr old. We started him on antidepressants, he was informally suspended at school, I withdrew him from full time mainstream school. I had to hide my kitchen knives from him as he wanted to harm himself. It seen me loose faith in the education system. I felt let down by those around me in regards to his education.
2013, I hope to see him feeling happier, enjoying going to school, that the autism specific schooling programme will help him move forward with his education. I hope his yr five teacher is our saving grace and its smooth sailing.

2012 introduced my 8 yr old to a lovely teacher that connected with him ( having her own ash child who she said is so much like my boy was a blessing) and helped him feel good about himself. In 2013 he will have her again and I am so thankful she agreed to have him in her class again.

2012 was the first year of school for my DD. it was a good year for her I think, showed a few quirky things about her and showed us her strengths too. 2013 will be the start of apostive schooling experience for her, with friends and fun.

2012, for my 4 yr old ds added another dx of asd to the family. Was no surprise there. But it's been a positive year of early intervention and I already see the positive difference it has made. 2013 will see him start kindy which he is very keen to start.

2012 for my youngest has been as can be expected for any 1 yr old, learning to walk, talk, be independent. Also gave my first experience with ezcema. 2013 for him will bring clear skin and hopefully more speech development, if not it may lead to another round of speech pathology but that's just my normal.

2012 for me has been emotionally draining. Seeing my child in so much pain and hurt to the point of wanting to hurt himself is beyond words. This year has not been about me in anyway. I have gained weight, gained grey hairs, gained wrinkles. I have also gained friends and a peace with on myself about what being a mother means for me. Autism has become a major part of my life as a mother. I have accepted that. I have also accepted and embraced living in cairns. There were big plans that the in laws would be a presence in our lives but we have also accepted that, that simply is not the case. But that's ok as we are doing fine with out extended family.
For DH it also brought a dx of aspergers. I think he has accepted this, although I think he took some adjusting to accept his new understanding of himself and his life in general. It makes sense now, but I think he is still processing it all.

2013 will be more about me, I will have more time with four of my kids with at school or kindy, I will get in shape and strut my stuff and my stuff will turn heads and I will look in the mirror and love myself.