Autism Is…

I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve tried to explain autism—What it means.What it looks like.What it feels like to live alongside it every day. And every time, the words fall short. If I ever made a documentary about autism, I’d call it Autism Is… I’d talk to everyone—autistic individuals, parents of autistic kids and adults, siblings,Continue reading “Autism Is…”

Motherhood in the Deep End: Learning to Parent Through Autism

I’ve never known motherhood without autism. I was thrown into the deep end—but I didn’t even know it at the time. In the beginning, I had no idea that my beautiful baby boy had autism spectrum disorder. So naturally, I thought I was doing everything wrong. Nothing in the parenting books or the blogs seemedContinue reading “Motherhood in the Deep End: Learning to Parent Through Autism”

Hopes for Autism Acceptance Month This Year

Every April, Autism Acceptance Month rolls around, and with it, I find myself hoping—hoping that this year, maybe things will be different. That maybe, just maybe, people will take a moment to listen, to learn, to be kind. That maybe we can combine awareness and genuine acceptance. My Hopes for Autism Acceptance Month This YearContinue reading “Hopes for Autism Acceptance Month This Year”

Protecting Johnny’s Spirit: The Parenting Journey of an Autistic Child

When I first started my blog, I named it “Johnny’s Spirit” after my son’s nickname. While I’ve shared the story behind his nickname, I don’t believe I’ve ever explained why I chose that name for my blog. As a parent of an autistic child, one of my biggest concerns is protecting my son’s spirit. HisContinue reading “Protecting Johnny’s Spirit: The Parenting Journey of an Autistic Child”

Worry vs Wonder

Oh to wonder. I miss it. It’s a little over a year since my six year old son, Johnny, was diagnosed with autism and I can’t even imagine wondering about his future. From the beginning of pregnancy up until age two I wondered a lot. Who’d he be, where life would take, everything a parentContinue reading “Worry vs Wonder”

The Sweetest Gift

This holiday season we have been touched with the spirit of Christmas by friends and complete strangers.  Christmas is a little different for us. My son, Johnny, who is almost 6 and on the autism spectrum, doesn’t ask for toys or say what he wants. He lacks communication skills and understanding as to why. WeContinue reading “The Sweetest Gift”

Christmas Through Johnny’s Eyes

Christmas is so much. It’s busy, it’s loud, it’s joyful, it’s frustrating, it’s a lot. I love it though. I love it for religious reasons, I love being with family, I love yummy treats, and I love presents. I get so caught up in it.   I have so many deep seeded memories when it comesContinue reading “Christmas Through Johnny’s Eyes”

Christmas Gifts for Johnny

As I set out to write this post I decided to gather pictures to remember Christmases past. Now I sit in tears. One of the first memories I found was of Johnny’s first Christmas. He was almost 11 months old. In the video, I’m out of frame messing with the phone, trying to record everyContinue reading “Christmas Gifts for Johnny”

Where were you?

I didn’t know you. We were always together,  I fed you from my body, then my hands,  I bathed you, I changed you, I’ve always loved you. But you were somewhere else. Where were you? My son Johnny is now five years old. He is autistic. And I feel like I did not really know him forContinue reading “Where were you?”