I had read that children on the Autism spectrum often suffer from medical issues and have nutritional deficiencies and gut inflammation. But I had always brushed it off because my son never physically showed any signs of medical issues. I decided to look into this some more.
Autism. I used to not be able to say this word out loud without my heart sinking just a little. It made me sad (still does sometimes) and angry (still does sometimes). You see I have a son with autism.
Autism often comes with a laundry list of medical issues that interfere with development and weigh our kids down. One day could be perfect with the next day a complete disaster. I root for the good days, but we’ve had our fair share of disasters, like this day from a few years ago:
Someone I know who recently had a baby posted on social media about how overwhelmed she is. She said that she was in “Survival Mode.” She’s totally right, but I had to laugh a little. Because we autism parents are constantly in Survival Mode. But Autism Survival Mode is forever.
This was the moment I lost it. We have been fighting now for almost five years – sacrificing everything (literally) in order to help my daughter recover and heal. My daughter’s health has done a 360! I started crying happy tears, thinking about how far she had come…
Here’s the deal – we KNOW we’re weird. It’s the price we pay to help our kids, so we don’t care. But this life is a lot easier if you can laugh! So, you might just be an autism mom if …
The whitewashing of autism comes not only in the delusional declaration that it has always been here, but also the claim that the autistic brain is simply wired differently. There is a growing body of science that is much more grim and sobering.
Next time I share that my son has “autism” and someone asks, “Oh, so what is his gift?” (Think Rainman and how everyone assumes that every “autistic” has an incredible ability that somehow overshadows that fact and makes it magically ok that they are severely affected by that “autism”…), I can answer that his is being fearless.
It’s World Autism Day, so let’s talk about the World of Autism. The real one – the secret world of autism that not many people see. As an autism parent, this is the world I live in. I feel it necessary to shine that bright blue light on the secret world of autism.
Are you finding it difficult to move forward with all the shit in your life? Join the club! We are all constantly dealing with shit. But we can still move forward and thrive and have the best year (and life) ever!
My autism journey has changed the way I live and care for my family. I am passionate about nontoxic products, natural remedies, grain-free nutrition, essential oils, and healing the symptoms known as autism. This is a space for anyone aspiring toward cleaner, healthier living.
XO Joanna
