Patience, Love, and Hope with a Side of Autism and Fishies
Life Lessons & Adventures Raising Children on the Autism Spectrum
I will be thankful because my parents taught me early that there is always something to be thankful for. I will be thankful because the alternative doesn’t serve me—or my boys. Gratitude is what makes the hardest moments less painful and somehow more meaningful.
I have two neurodiverse sons. Their lived experiences and differences are as unique as them. They both have neurological differences and I believe they are both on the spectrum. Nico is my oldest and he is what I would consider “classically” autistic. I say that because most people nowadays can recognize he’s autistic based on … Continue reading Be the CHANGE you want to see
Anyone with autistic children understands the lengths we go to sometimes (or every single time) just to get a decent picture of them. I am intimately familiar with the struggle because it is a true labor of love to get my two boys to smile at a camera, especially my Nico. This is actually one … Continue reading Laughter is the best medicine
I'm currently on my work trip and will be gone for the next two days, so my anxiety is at an all-time high. Nico doesn't do well typically when I'm gone, so I have to do a lot of prepping in the days leading up to my trips. This includes filling out the "mommy away, … Continue reading The Most Deserving
I love taking Nico to the trampoline park. He finds so much joy in jumping. He always has. He got his first trampoline when he was 2 years old, shortly after his diagnosis, and he used that tramp every single day until he outgrew it. I learned early on in his autism diagnosis that he … Continue reading With Open Arms
Today is the anniversary of my Mom’s passing. June 27. It pops up every year and for a few brief moments I am catapulted back to that tragic day where I lost my Mom and felt her indelible imprint all at once. My mother was perfectly imperfect. She had a heart of gold, a fierce … Continue reading Sponges
“One thing I always want to make sure people know about children and adults with autism is that they are tremendously empathetic and affectionate. They feel things very deeply. And although autism may present itself in ways that demonstrate disinterest or apathy, do not be fooled…autistic individuals see you, hear you, and feel you more than you will ever realize.”
This week I had a gut check. I was brought back to reality. I was told my son is not making gains academically and it has come time to consider a new educational path for him. I wasn’t shocked and knew it was coming, but what has become the most soul-sucking is the fact that … Continue reading Pivot
Nico has been having meltdowns and fits at school recently. We’re not sure what triggers them most times since we hear about them after the fact, but honestly, it could be for a hundred different reasons. He has a solid routine that his teacher team and my husband and I developed together months back, so … Continue reading Choose To Be Humane
Nico starts second grade this week. He will be back in-person at his elementary school after being a virtual learner for the last year and a half and I feel like we’re prepping for his Kindergarten year all over again. All of his first grade experiences were remote. I didn’t want Nico to connect school … Continue reading Standing Out
Patience, Love, and Hope with a Side of Autism and Fishies 