“I let a friend try to teach me how to discipline Jack. The entirety of it shook me to my core as I watched how it broke him at just 4 years old.”
‘Why can’t you just LISTEN?’ His type is known as ‘brat.’: Mom of Autistic twins discusses ‘comparing,’ ‘Each boy is different, yet one and the same’
“I put SO much energy into getting rid of this ‘horrible disorder.’ As her mom, I needed to fix her.’: Mom of Autistic daughter fights for acceptance
“I thought Remy was broken. I didn’t realize I was putting my energy into the wrong thing.”
‘Autism WON today.’: Mom of autistic children details highs and lows, ‘We return to the fight stronger each time’
“I sat in the car after carrying a kicking and screaming Luca, who yelled, ‘Help Me! Listen to me! I don’t like you!’ clawing at my arms and pulling my hair as we passed a security guard.”
Dear Stranger, I Need You To Protect My Autistic Child When I’m Not Around
“If there was a school shooter, my son wouldn’t hide. If there was a fire, he wouldn’t run. If someone took advantage of him, he couldn’t speak up. If someone abused him, he wouldn’t fight back.”
‘I’ve had a crush on you since high school.’ He was deemed ‘weird.’ Now, he doesn’t try to be normal.’: Woman marries Autistic man, ‘He knows me by heart’
“When he tries to talk, he stutters, he loses his words, and people don’t always understand him. So, he lets me talk. I couldn’t wish for a better person.”
‘Why are you seeking a diagnosis?’ They didn’t believe me. I was an imposter living a neurotypical, picture-perfect life.’: Woman diagnoses herself with autism after decades of ‘masking’
“When I was out during the day, I was being who people needed me to be, then I would come home and put my dukes up. I felt like an imposter in the life I had built.”
Dear Parents, Please Teach Your Children About Diversity
“We unintentionally teach them to be uncomfortable with people that are different.”
‘You’re a problem child.’ After 18 years of being taught to hate myself, I received a diagnosis.’: Woman with autism shares self-acceptance journey, finds strength in service dog, ‘She saved my life’
“There were times where I was just too mentally exhausted to cope. I just couldn’t face going outside. Lyra gives me the courage to try new things. She’s more than just a dog. She’s part of my family.”
‘You’re just NOT trying hard enough.’ I KNEW I was different, but I tried to brush it off. Then something magical happened.’: Woman diagnosed with autism shares journey, ‘I will live a BEAUTIFUL life’
“‘You’re WAY too sensitive.’ They don’t know I am constantly aware of the clock ticking, people typing, colleagues moving, screens shining, lamp shining, them laughing, the radio playing. This world is so LOUD.”
‘My report cards constantly read, ‘Hazel needs to socialize with her peers.’ I realized how different I was.’: Woman shares journey to autism diagnosis, ‘I’m embracing myself’
“I would copy and paste the personalities of those around me. My sense of identity was so lost. I was in survival mode.”
