The Eve of Autism Awareness Month

A letter to my son.

My son,

On this eve of April, Autism Awareness and Acceptance month, I want to tell you how proud I am of you.

I want to thank you for teaching me, our family, and even the world about autism, differences, and disabilities.

I want to thank you for being patient with me as I settled into this unique life.

I want to thank you for being brave, determined and for being yourself. You are more yourself than any other person I have ever met.

I want to thank you for trying. For letting me teach you. For being resilient. For going out into a world every day that doesn’t understand you.

This is your month. A month to share your world, your gifts, your strengths, all of you, with the world around us.

So, dance. Stim. Wiggle. Communicate however you can. Love trains and penguins and line up sheets of colorful paper.

Be you.

And go easy on your old mom as she reflects back on the really hard days. Because looking at this photo of us with our book has me feeling every possible feeling.

I am so proud of you kid.

You made it. You stayed true to you, to every part of autism, while navigating it all.

Thank you, buddy. Thank you for teaching me.

I am walking into April so proud to be your mom. For so many years this diagnosis terrified me. I couldn’t even say the word ‘autism’ out loud. But you were patient. You waited for me.

Now, we live out loud.

Love you dude.
-Mom

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BOOK UPDATE

I am sitting here, drinking my coffee, and feeling so many butterflies in my stomach. Tomorrow is the day that you all get to read Autism Out Loud. Writing a book is sharing all your inner secrets, worries, hopes, fears, and dreams out loud. This book is a piece of my heart.

If you ordered the book, they are shipping soon! If you purchased the audio or e-version, you will have it at 12:01 am tomorrow!

It’s happening!

I have one favor to ask. Once you get the book, and read it, if it touches you, please share it with the world. Nothing helps an author more than YOU sharing their book. Share it on social media. Share it in your circles. Tell your friends. We want this book to change the world.

And if you by chance haven’t ordered yet, please do so right now! You can order off Amazon or from your favorite bookstore.

I’ll put the links below!