Autism; explanations are a beautiful thing

This month marks the one year anniversary of getting the autism diagnosis

for our Beans (9yrs old), June marks it for Princess Sparkles (12yrs old).

Having had a year to digest exactly what it means to now have a label

and how it effects our every day life

I thought I'd share a few of the things I've learned.

Something that I've come to realize is that while they won't lead "typical" lives

it doesn't mean that they lead "disabled" lives.

They aren't their label, they aren't their diagnosis

and I refuse to allow a diagnosis to define who they are.

Hence the title of my new writing home.

Having a diagnosis is a blessing, a HUGE blessing

although it brought with it such resounding grief when it was given

now a year later I see it more as an explanation

and a purpose.

We have an explanation now so we can help our kids conquer even more 

effectively than ever! 

As I tell them both OFTEN

"Your autism is not an excuse, it's a reason. 

Your autism doesn't hold you back, 

it's the fire you need to move forward; fighting twice as hard."

Meltdowns happen

systems get overstimulated

learning certain things comes harder

understanding social cues feels impossible

But I KNOW they can do it

Not because of my sheer will but because my autistic children are

BRILLIANT

in their own amazing ways

We navigate the meltdowns,

we give input to the senses or shield input as needed

we fight twice as hard to learn in creative ways

we watch and practice and talk it through

Because they CAN if we enable them.

It is such a beautiful thing to think that once you have the diagnosis you

can leave that "winter" behind.

the time of not knowing, second guessing and frustration

and suddenly a whole world opens up to you

your child is explained

and it's like spring is about to come anew!

To all the parents out there struggling, 

those with newly diagnosed children

educate yourselves, fight for your child and never ever

hold them back because of a label

Propel them forward in confidence because 

now you have a child who is 

Explained but not Defined!!!