Ability to Include Blog - Bellybutton Contraband

The obvious question is, what the hell is bellybutton contraband? Raising a sensory-seeking child, I have seen my fair share of food, toys, and other objects find their way into places they don’t belong; lollipops in the shower, billiard ball in the toilet, and occasionally obscure items in a bellybutton. Intermittently, for what seemed like a year, my stepson would fill his belly button with shaving cream, blueberries, and putty. I developed a routine bellybutton check as if I was a corrections officer looking for contraband. Hence, bellybutton contraband.

Raising a child with autism has taught me so much, so this is an homage to my little guy, our misadventures as a family, the things that have worked for us, and the things that haven’t, but also the policies, services, and discussion surrounding the special needs community.