Unapologetically Embracing Autism

There's something I need to get off my chest today, and I won't apologize for the rawness of these words. In a world that often misunderstands our children, our struggles, and our triumphs, we don't have time for petty competitions or meaningless drama. We're too busy being warriors, advocates, and the fierce protectors our children need us to be. To those who cast judgment from the sidelines, who whisper their unsolicited advice in grocery store aisles, or who claim they "know what's best" – I invite you to walk a mile in our shoes. Better yet, try running a marathon in them, because that's what every day feels like for many of us. We're navigating therapies, managing meltdowns, celebrating the smallest victories, and fighting battles that most people never see. But here's the beautiful truth I've discovered along this journey: we don't need to compete with each other. Our children's achievements aren't meant to be measured aga...

  When my child was diagnosed with autism, I thought I knew exactly where I'd find my support system. Family, lifelong friends, the people who had been there through thick and thin – surely they would be my pillars of strength during this new chapter of our lives. But life has a funny way of surprising you, doesn't it? Don't get me wrong, my loved ones tried. They offered hugs, reassurances, and well-meaning advice. But as I navigated the complex world of autism, I realized something was missing. There was a gap between their support and what I truly needed – a gap I didn't even know existed until I stumbled upon an unexpected community. Enter the autism moms These women – warriors, really – became the community I never knew I needed. They're not the friends I grew up with or the family members I've known all my life. They're strangers turned sisters, united by a shared journey that only we truly understand. With these moms, there's no need for explanati...

  In our household, we don't do the "eat what I fix or go hungry" routine. We embrace neurodiversity, and that means embracing different eating habits too. My autistic son has his own unique relationship with food, and you know what? That's perfectly okay. And yes, regardless of what I say, I have to have McDonald's money at the ready - because sometimes, that's just what works. The Reality of Autism and Food For many autistic individuals, food isn't just about taste—it's about texture, smell, color, and even the way it's arranged on the plate. Sensory sensitivities can make certain foods genuinely unpleasant or even intolerable. This isn't pickiness; it's a fundamental aspect of how their brains process sensory information. The crunch of a raw vegetable might be overwhelmingly loud to them. The smell of certain spices could be nauseating. The sight of different foods touching on a plate might trigger anxiety. These aren't preferences -...

Hey there, fellow autism parents and fabulous readers! Today, I'm serving up a hearty dish of real talk about life in the therapy fast lane. Pull up a chair, grab your favorite comfort food, and let's dig in! The Main Course: Therapy Extravaganza Ever since our amazing Cortland hit the tender age of 2, we've been regulars at the therapy buffet. We're talking a smorgasbord of interventions - speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and behavioral therapy. It's like we're collecting therapy sessions like some folks collect stamps! Our weekly special? Up to four different therapy flavors, each served in a delectable one-hour portion. And here's the twist we've got a mix of home-cooked therapy sessions and clinic takeout! That's right, folks. Some days, our living room transforms into a therapy playground, with therapists bringing their magic right to our doorstep. Other days, we're zipping off to clinics faster than you can say "...

What Happens When or If? By now, you all know that I am Anja, and I am the mother of Cortland. Cortland was diagnosed with autism at age 3, a day that changed both his life and mine forever. You never want to admit that before your child is even born, you have thoughts of "what if" or "when something happens to me, what happens to my child?" These are questions that plagued me early on in my pregnancy because it was high-risk—I was 40 when I had this beautiful little boy. I suffered a hemorrhage at 7 weeks, which I thought was a second miscarriage, having just suffered one in April of the same year. The icing on the cake was that Dad decided this was no longer for him, so I was left on this island to do it alone! Fast forward, we defied the challenges, obstacles, and trials and tribulations early on. You would have thought life would just be smooth sailing after that, planning for those times in life where you became that soccer mom you always dreamed of. But then I...