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When I used to Google autism, so many supposed ‘facts’ came up. Children with autism don’t… Show love. Smile. Laugh. Have emotion. Children with autism are… Withdrawn. In their own world. Removed. Unfriendly. I remember reading those words on my phone. Typically late at night. In private. Free from judgement from others. Sometimes I’d even be in bed with my sweet boy. He was three. And my body would be snuggling his. I’d smell his hair and listen to him breathe and read about his future. And I’d pray. Pray…

When my son was 7 and 8 and the reality of nonspeaking forever was sinking in, I used to spend a lot of time thinking about his future. What would it be like? A teenager and then a man who couldn’t speak. Would I ever know his favorite color? Or why he loved trains so much? Would I ever hear I Love You? Would people be kind to him? Would they be patient with him and treat him with the respect that he deserved? Would they know how cool he…

I didn’t know much about autism before my son was diagnosed at age 3. I knew even less about being nonverbal/nonspeaking. I didn’t know that some children never learn to speak. Or that some communicate with computers that speak for them. Or in my son’s case, with a combination of sign language, sounds, gestures, a speech device, and clips from shows. Today, Cooper spent some time with a new friend. A young man who is going to spend some time with him this fall. Cooper is a complicated guy to…

My sweet boy, I used to get so upset when people stared at you. Mad. Angry. Not at you of course but at that world. You’d be flapping. Or making happy noises. Screeches. Grunts. High pitched screams. One second you’d be on the floor and the next running only to drop to the ground, roll, laugh and pat the ground. Or you’d be melting down. Screaming. Either way it almost sounds the same. Loud. I’d look around. Make eye contact. And look away. I’d think in my head, stop. Stop…

When you have a child diagnosed with autism, it’s not about you as the parent. At least that’s what we are told. Your sole focus becomes helping your child. Getting them the help they need. Services. Supports. Therapies. Education. And so on. That’s the role of a parent. And that’s how it should be. But one part that is overlooked, I think, is the evolution of the parent. Their journey. And the patience that should be given to them when everything changes suddenly. It’s not easy ya know. Stepping off…

I often wonder if people know the impact they have on someone’s life. If when they got up that morning did they know they were going to make a difference today. I’m guessing not. Most people just do what they do and don’t give it a second thought. Last night we had our neighborhood Night to Unite. It’s a once a year event that encourages you to meet your neighbors and local law enforcement and first responders. In the past it’s been challenging for us to go. Especially as a…

This amazing kid just absolutely rocked the grocery store! He walked. Pushed the cart. Followed the list. Put items in the cart. Handled temptation. I am seriously giddy! We have been practicing grocery store trips for about a year now. At first our only goal was walking through the store…not even buying anything. And slowly we built on his skills. Today we did a whole shopping trip! Video coming! Parents, I hope Cooper gives you hope and shows you what hard work can do. A year ago I didn’t think…