Embracing the Love Beyond Autism: A Parent’s Journey

Have you ever been handed a ticket for a play you didn’t want to go to, let alone care about? I have, and for me, it’s pretty simple. I either find someone who’d like to take my place, or I just don’t go. Easy, right? However, when the ticket for the autism journey with my child was handed to me, I had no choice but to take it and make it work.

We often start this journey with the classic question: “What if my child was different?” It’s like imagining a perfect little angel who never throws a tantrum, does everything you tell him, and loves whatever you cook. But seriously, where’s the fun in having a cookie-cutter kid? We might catch ourselves daydreaming about the life we planned, which, let’s face it, is about as realistic as expecting a unicorn to show up for a game of chess. Now, having to deal with the diagnosis of Autism is definitely not what we had in mind when dreaming of parenthood, but hey, life loves to throw challenges at us all the time, right? However, here’s the HEART of it: your child is so much more than just a diagnosis. They’re a bundle of awesomeness waiting to be uncovered. Sure, they might have their quirks, but who doesn’t? 

So, while our journey may not be exactly what we expected, there’s still plenty of room for laughter, love, and unexpected discoveries along the way. And really, isn’t that what makes life so wonderfully unpredictable? Tara McCallan wisely stated, “A diagnosis can’t predict the extraordinary love you will have for your child.” Still, I would like to add that a diagnosis “can’t predict the extraordinary love your child will be able to demonstrate.” Despite the challenges that come with Autism, every child possesses a unique capacity for love, resilience, and growth. Their diagnosis does not define them; it merely shapes a part of their journey.

Let’s Make it Possible.