Author Archives: Jaime Ramos

She was born on a chaotic night in the hospital when seven women, including myself, were in labor simultaneously, each on the brink of giving birth. Different doctors hurriedly came in and out to check on me while the other women started delivering their babies. My baby girl happened to be the last of theContinue reading “My Birthday Girl!”

A few months ago, I was reading Viola Davis’s book “Finding Me,” and she mentioned writer, Joseph Campbell and the Hero’s Journey. She wrote “a hero is someone born into a world where they don’t fit in…” Though Davis and Campbell were both discussing literature and characters, my thoughts immediately turned to my autistic son.Continue reading “His “Call to Adventure””

It wasn’t supposed to be like this. I’m ashamed to admit that this is how I feel somedays. Don’t get me wrong, I never expected parenthood to be easy, and I know we don’t have it the hardest. But when I get the rare chance to reflect, I feel it. The exhaustion of living atContinue reading “It Wasn’t Supposed to be Like This”

I grew up with a learning disability. It’s still there, but I have figured out my own way of how to navigate life with it. I have always felt different and felt behind everyone else. As a child it often baffled me how other people could just “get stuff.” Nothing came easy to me. ReadingContinue reading “Overcoming My Learning Disability and Empowering My Child with Autism”

Something that autism has gifted our family is that it has opened our eyes to another world. We get to see the lives of many people affected by disabilities. When we are at a sporting event, camp, or conference for my son filled with children and adults of all different abilities, I see more loveContinue reading “Finding Perspective: Navigating Life’s Race as an Autism Parent”

Last night I laid in a full-size bed, inside a tent, under a train blanket, with my 8 year old son. He had just fallen asleep. Beforehand, we talked, sang, and laughed. He asked me to hug him tight, and I did as he fell asleep. Slowly releasing him before he completely drifted off. TightContinue reading “Reflections on Acceptance, Understanding, and Making Space for Difference”

My sweet boy turns eight years old at the end of this month. Today, I made his party invitations. He is autistic and, like most things, that makes his birthday parties a little different. There are a lot of wins this year when it comes to his birthday planning. First, he picked where he wantedContinue reading “Hello 8!”

My son, Jesse, who has autism, and my typical nephew are both in first grade at the same school. They have a couple of classes together and lunch at the same time. Yesterday, my nephew told me that he tried to sing Jingle Bells during lunch, but Jesse wouldn’t let him. As soon as myContinue reading “When They Realize He’s Different”