I raised girls for more than a decade before I became the mother of a son. When I was pregnant with my first son I was worried I wouldn’t know how to be a good boy mom. Now I have two sons and I realize, all I needed was love. They’d teach me everything else I needed to know!Continue reading The Bathroom Always Smells Like Pee and Other Joys of Raising Boys
(previously published in The North Lake Outpost) I spent most of my childhood and professional career in Umatilla, Florida. My family moved to North Lake County in 1980, and I joined the staff at Umatilla Middle School in 2005 as Media Specialist and Television Production teacher. I left Umatilla Middle School to be a full-timeContinue reading Former Umatilla Middle School Staff Member Working to Support Families of Children With Exceptional Needs
I typically write about our family’s experiences in raising a child with developmental disabilities, but not always. I wrote this piece months ago when my youngest daughter was struggling. She’s overcome so much in a short time. I am so proud of her! It is my desire that this message can give you hope if you have a child struggling to find their way. And to tell you this, never give up!Continue reading The Prodigal Daughter
Parenting a child with autism spectrum disorder means that if you have other children, they are likely to get less of your time. While that often makes parents feel guilty, it’s an unfortunate reality. However, your other kids need to know that while they may not get an equal share of your time, they have an equal share of your love!Continue reading To My Other Kids Not On The Autism Spectrum
My mother began dating a new guy a few months ago, right as the COVID-19 pandemic began to ravage the country. She and I talk almost every day, and I began to hear a lot about this guy. How he had this thick Boston accent, talked A LOT, and was already referring to my sisterContinue reading Mourning the Loss of Someone You Never Met, But Should Have
Amy shares a letter she wrote to her family and friends while celebrating her 50th birthday during the pandemic and her optimism for the future.Continue reading To My Family and Friends on My 50th Birthday: A Letter of Optimism and Hope
Amy shares her guest appearance on the podcast “I Used to Be a Therapist” hosted by Dr. Wendy Bruton.Continue reading Podcast 26: My Guest Appearance on “I Used to Be a Therapist” with Wendy Bruton
Amy was recently a featured guest for the Big Life Series on the Dialed IN! podcast which is hosted by Bethany Clemenson.Continue reading Dialed IN! Podcast “Big Life” Series Episode #35 Featuring Amy Nielsen with Betheny Clemenson
Amy shares how important it is to keep the words you say about your child as positive as possible.Continue reading Your Words Matter
Dear Former Students with Exceptional Needs, It has been a while since I was your teacher, but there has been something weighing heavy on me that I wanted to tell you, and it’s that I am sorry. When I was your teacher, there were many things about you I didn’t understand.
Amy shares 10 things all parents can do to help create a positive childhood for all their children regardless of whether they have developmental differences or not.Continue reading Creating Your Child’s Childhood
Big Abilities 