“I’d racked my brain for all the reasons she was asking. Was she hoping for a different kind of connection than with her autistic brother? A different kind of play experience with her new sibling? Tears welled in my eyes, moved by her matter-of-fact, whole-hearted acceptance.”
‘Mommy, will the new baby be autistic?’ asked my 7-year-old. ‘We’re so lucky to have Koimburi!’: Special needs mom moved to tears after daughter’s sweet moment of inclusivity
‘Lying down one night, it randomly hit me. ‘I’m pretty sure I have autism…’: Mom explores late autism diagnosis in wake of 2-year-old son’s diagnosis
“I don’t remember what the train of thought was before that, or what exact situation led to that epiphany, but I remember smiling because deep down I already knew. Life genuinely started to make more sense.”
‘Between my fingers, I held a completely new perspective on life. It felt like I’d been sucker-punched in the gut.’: Young woman shares journey through late autism diagnosis
“The paper read, ‘It is in my professional opinion that you satisfy the diagnostic criteria.’ I lose a huge piece of myself, and found an answer to all my questions, all at once.”
‘I like my tics, and I don’t want any of them to go away!’ It was a moment I will never ever forget.’: Mom to son with Tourette Syndrome shares his journey to become his own biggest advocate
“He has changed me into a better person, a better mother. He is my hero.”
I Didn’t Know I Had OCD Until I Was 33 Years Old
“I worried I might purposely light a match and burn the house to the ground with my family inside. I worried I might purposely push my best friend into traffic. The thoughts began to get so frightening I’d wake up every morning and try to create a version of white noise inside my own head to block out any thoughts for as long as I could.”
‘I spent my whole life trying to find my place in society. Turns out, I wasn’t meant to fit in.’: Woman shares journey to autism diagnosis at age 25
“I’d spend my mornings crying, screaming, begging to stay home. My mental health was declining, my anxiety rising, my depression and self-loathing looming like a black cloud. I was terrified to go to school. The people were mean, the teachers didn’t understand me, and the work was too hard. I was falling behind, and at that point, I didn’t care anymore. I was the odd one out, with no support.”
How The Body Positivity Movement Saved Me From My Years-Long Battle With Bulimia
“I weighed myself every day, all day long. My weight after lunch controlled what I’d eat for dinner, and if I’d throw up later. With the ‘nothing tastes as good as skinny feels’ vibe of the early 2000s, it was little wonder I spent years on a never-ending train of diets, flirting with bulimia.”
A Look Inside 16q11.2q 21 Duplication: The Rare Disease Affecting Only 10 People In The World
“Miliah has a multitude of serious health conditions that have deeply complicated every facet of her life. Despite it all, she always has a smile on her face and never ever gives up. I am so deeply inspired by her tenacity and willpower.”
A Candid Look Inside The Mental Load & Resilience Of A Hypopituitarism Mom
“On the outside, Abigail like any other baby. You wouldn’t know she’s been so critically unwell.”
‘The doctor described it as a ‘stress fracture’ but a mental one. She had hit her breaking point.’: Mother shares daughter’s journey with Tourette Syndrome
“‘Congratulations, you have Tourette’s.’ I watched my beautiful, strong child completely crumple.”