What Does Autism Mean to Your Family

Autism means a beautiful, brave, authentic, little boy who we love and adore. While we know that he is not defined by his autism, we also realize that it is one of the many pieces that makes him the amazing boy that we love.

It is challenges, chaos, simplicity and love.

It is no two days being the same.

It is sleepless nights, belly laughs with the wind in your face, and everything in between-from the highest high to a crashing low, from basking in the sunshine, to sitting in the dark. All in the same day.

As a mother, it means that my child is perfect just as he is. I will fiercely love, encourage, support, and defend his right to always be himself and how he sees the world differently, for as long as I live.

Autism is ever present in our lives wrapped in love, interwoven in complexity and challenges, but softened ever so slightly by finding the joy.

But most importantly to us, it is a person to be loved not a diagnosis to be feared.

We are the lucky ones-better and blessed for knowing and loving him.