Why we #LightItUpBlue on #worldautismawarenessday... I was the first to notice the signs. He hated loud noises. The repetitive movements and routines. Stimming. When I took him to his 18-month-check up I told the pediatrician he needed to be evaluated. When she asked for what, I said ‘#autism.’ She reassured me he was fine but referred him for an evaluation. A month later he was in all sorts of therapies - language, occupational, music. When he was 3, he was diagnosed with au

Will doesn't ask for much. But every Christmas, he asks for tickets to see Shen Yun and it's become a bit of a tradition. You've probably seen the commercials, or maybe the billboards, for the performing arts company. They extensively market the show. I even saw them selling tickets at our city's tree lighting this year (I'd already gotten our tickets). I understand why Will loves the show. It's stimulation overload. There's an orchestra, delicate-yet-dynamic dancers in beau

The last time we attended a 4th of July cookout was years ago. Will decided to throw a decorative planter into the pool and it broke into pieces and left the bottom of the pool littered with dirt. We were mortified - this is exactly why we so often self-isolated. We didn't want to be "those people" with the "bad kid" who ruined the party. Luckily our friends were amazing and understanding. But still... it took us a while to feel comfortable accepting another invitation. We ha

Happy new year friends! I hope you had a wonderful holiday season! We're now fifteen days into the new year and I never really haven't set time aside to come up with goals for 2018. I have some general ideas of things I'd like to accomplish in the new year though, like learning and practicing mindfulness and being present in the moment. I've already had some practice. There's something you need to know about autism moms. When planning even the shortest of outings with our kid