Autism in Real Life

Love your article!!! I think though that this really speaks to all special needs childrens mom's. To hear the words that your daughter has a rare disorder and will dye young from it...well that turned me into a fighter...insert all of the things you mentioned above here for things i did for my daughter. I say did because she passed away in May. They thought she wouldnt make it till 6 but she blessed us for 9 wonderful years. Her disorder would cause her brain to atrophy over time till it reaches her brain stem and causes death. We had a pretty typical baby at first. then the delays began. Got her services and she began to catch up we thought she would out grow whatever it was. Then a few months before turning 2 she had a status seizure and her life was changed forever. By the age of 5 the atrophy was visible on an MRI which is when we recieved the diagnosis, before that everyone was stumped. She was non-verbal, wheelchair bound, quadrapalegic, but that girl changed the lives of everyone she met just with her eyes. sorry a rambled on, but i wanted you to know that Mom's with autistic children are not alone many of us parents with children with special needs fight the same battles. I founded a support group in 2007 for parents of special needs kids and it is open to all regardless of their diagnosis and what a blessing to have such a variety in our group we learn so much from each other and are surprised by how many similiar things we all deal with, what a great support system. thank you again for your amazing article.

Thanks Kymberly for those words of encouragement they came right on time. Going back to school is a challenging time since kids on the spectrum tend to need extra time to adjust and get back into a routine. It's like starting over every year. The fight to ensure our kids are in the best classes is also onging. No one knows unless they have worn those shoes. Would not trade them them shoes. Love being a mom to my wonderful son. I've learned so much from being his mom and it has made me a better mom. It's not an easy walk so having the support from other moms and seing others go through similar things makes it much easier. Keep on rocking moms.

Just had to say thank you for this article.... I don't know a lot of other mothers (or have much of any type of support at all) so reading this & knowing that someone else really does know the same walk makes me realize how much being around others who understand would benefit me and my kiddos! I appreciate the lift this article gave me, especially at the beginning of the school year! This one was a tough start with all the transitions of moving to a new school district, my son going into middle-school & all while being a newly single-mom and going back to work & school, myself!

Time to join our local support chapter & get a secoond wind & keep trekin'!!! :) Thanks for inspiring me today!

I am so tired of fighting, it's been a rough few weeks -- I needed a pep talk. Thanks so much.

Thank you so much for defining what it means to be a mom of children on the spectrum. Like the saying goes "walk a mile in my shoes". People are so quick to give advice, and yet offer no support. The only ones you know you can count on, are the ones who have walked in your shoes. I am so blessed to have friends who are walking that walk along side me. We walk it together everyday, supporting each other, laughing with each, and learning from each other. In the end, becoming better moms, and better people.

I LOVE my children, (soon to be 16 year old identical twin boys on the spectrum) and would not trade them for anything!! They have taught me so much!

Your article hightlights what all our children have to offer us, if we just take the time to stop and listen. That's what us "special" moms do, we take that time to stop and listen. :)

Thank you so much for defining what it means to be a mom of children on the spectrum. Like the saying goes "walk a mile in my shoes". People are so quick to give advice, and yet offer no support. The only ones you know you can count on, are the ones who have walked in your shoes. I am so blessed to have friends who are walking that walk along side me. We walk it together everyday, supporting each other, laughing with each, and learning from each other. In the end, becoming better moms, and better people.

I LOVE my children, (soon to be 16 year old identical twin boys on the spectrum) and would not trade them for anything!! They have taught me so much!

Your article hightlights what all our children have to offer us, if we just take the time to stop and listen. That's what us "special" moms do, we take that time to stop and listen. :)

Parenting is the toughest job, but parenting a special needs child requires one to go above and beyond the pale.

Bravo to all of you brave moms and dads!

This article was shared with me at just the right time. We were having one of our bad days. Bad weeks, really. And, I've been clawing at the door in tears, begging for someone to notice. Begging for some kind of short break so I could breathe and recollect myself. Four kids--2 with autism, 2 without--under 8 will do that to a mom. But instead, I was sent this article and... wow. I suddenly feel like superwoman again. The battles over obtaining my son's IEP records so I can homeschool... the 52 minute screaming meltdown I survived... the exhaustion that settles in when I'm feeling like I'm at my weakest moment... I'm not alone. Thank you for reminding me about the strength I carry. And about the sisterhood of autism moms I get to be part of.

Your article and the comments from other moms is so uplifting. Thank you to all! Only one comment: bravo to super dads too! My husband has been hands on from day one with our twins. Since the twin on the spectrum couldn't breast feed at first, he was there to hold her and feed her when she was brought out of the incubator while I fed the other twin, and a special bond formed between them. It tends to be me that does the research and the advocating, but my husband is behind me every step of the way!!

Thanks so much for the pat on the back! We do rock, don't we? Since our son was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, I have discovered a whole sisterhood of fierce, brave, supportive moms out there! And some awesome dads, too! We hold each other up, we cry together, we cheer each other on and we laugh together! Thanks for putting all of that into your wonderful article!

Debbie K.

Thanks so much for the pat on the back! We do rock, don't we? Since our son was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, I have discovered a whole sisterhood of fierce, brave, supportive moms out there! And some awesome dads, too! We hold each other up, we cry together, we cheer each other on and we laugh together! Thanks for putting all of that into your wonderful article!

Debbie K.

Hi Kymberly,

Love your post! I have been busy posting back-to-school tips for my blog all the while thinking how incredible parents of special needs children are as they pay attention to every last detail and minor minutiae of their child's day. Your post said it beautifully and truly resonates with me. Thank you.

It is so true that the words, "your child has (insert horrible, life changing illness/condition here)", changes our lives and unites us in a way that the rest of the fortunate mothers out there (who will never hear these words) could NEVER understand. I do agree that, because my daughter has autism, I have to be/do all of the things written in this article, however, it's not like I have a choice. Unfortunately, it is what it is. I have to be a fighter, well versed in everything medical/therapeautic/legal, yadda, yadda, yadda, however, it's not by choice- not by a long shot! I don't want to be the "autism mom who rocks"- I just want to be a mom, and that is a pleasure that I will never get. To say that I'm extremely angry about the hand my daughter has been dealt, is the understatement of the year. I work hard for her every day, and will never, ever, stop. However, I'm driven by anger and comsumed by fear. I'm not proud of the thoughts that go through my head daily as I see friends and strangers live their happy, normal, neurotypical lives, chatting endlessly about their children's talents and achievements, the fun their families have when they go here or there, the sports teams, play dates, blah, blah, blah! Not gonna happen here, and I'm pissed! I guess, I don't feel like I rock, because I'm just doing what I have to do for my daughter- who's life was forever changed at the age of two. She didn't deserve this, and our family didn't deserve this either. I will never accept it, nor will I ever quit doing everything in my power to help her life be the best it can be. That doesn't make me anything special, it means I love her with all my heart- just like any mom would.

Just want to say that including my husband I have met some truly amazing super Dads who parent kids with special needs. Not only are they no less the parents us moms are, they bring to parenting some special skills and gifts us moms don't always have. Hats off to the super Dads. We love you guys.

I can't give thanks for my wife who so tirelessly cares for our three children on the spectrum. She has my full support in all she does and I encourage her to go further. Our lives revolve around the care of our children, and the decisions that she makes results in a happier and healthier family. Together, we credit the grace and strength of God who sustains us. I am thankful to God and my wife, who is my best friend and the object of my devotion.

Simply...thank you.

A friend of mine said it best when she said "I get that I don't get it." She is incredilbly supportive, but I think only special needs Moms (and Dads) truly "get it".

Thank you Thank you Thank you!
I needed this article. Having 2 boys on the spectrum and heading back to school I've been a nervous break down waiting to happen. I wish I had more autism moms in my life seeing that my circle of friends seems to be shrinking. Keep going girls and when you feel alone know you have some "soul sisters" out there! Love to all you autism moms.

Parents. Not just moms. All parents of children with autism deserve credit. Gender is irrelevant.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS :)and Yes, we are warriors that fight for our children daily.

What about Autism Dads? I am the caregiver of three children, two with Autism! I go to all the conferences, parent trainings of therapies and legal and advocacy trainings, along with school meetings, etc, while my wife is now the sole breadwinner. I experience all those things above mentioned. I have few family members and no friends who empathize and support me. I have put my career on hold (so far seven years now) indefinitely, and at great risk of ever finding a good job worthy of my former experiences and education, because of all the full time interventions in out of my home. I home-schooled my daughter for three years, and going on six years of intervention, two years for my son. I have spent sleepless nights (at least one per week) for the last six years, and spent a fortune on fragmented therapies and therapists with increasingly diminished returns. Differing from child to child, Autism can be an extremely cruel disability both child and parent! Although I know plenty of people in my Autism community, I am not included into the "Autism Sisterhood." My wife is my only real rock and support. I think between my wife and I, an Autism has been much harder on me.
Despite all of the costs, stress, headache, and heartache, I would do it all over again tomorrow! As long as I draw breath, I will never give up.

This article was meant for Mothers Day, but I couldn't get it ready in time so I held onto it over the summer. Hopefully, I get one done for Fathers Day too...to celebrate all the awesome Dads out there. :-)

Great idea, Kimberly! I know a few Dads I'd send that link to! Thanks for the response.