I’ve been writing about my son for many years, and I want others to know that people like my Mark grow up.  You may not initially see them as cute anymore in their actions or looks. You may not see that some are disabled and not “bad.” You may not see that they struggle. You may not know that some are not conversational or that they have slow processing speed.  Please do not assume you know what’s going on. Please offer the benefit of the doubt. Please do not expect perfectio

As soon as we boarded the airplane, I knew we were leaving the ordinary world, where it was a given that all kids would speak and have...

For six months, I have been super stressed about Mark, but after a recent meeting I am feeling relaxed and hopeful. He is doing well at...

Next month will mark three years since my son moved to a supported living community. I’m glad he’s home every weekend plus vacations. ...

Today was one of those mornings at our house. I could see that Mark, who has been relaxed and happy of late, was not those things today....

My son is 23. He will likely never be fully independent, but he lives in a loving, beautiful supported living community. I’m grateful...

When words fail me in my attempts to spread autism awareness, I look for analogies. About ten years ago, a little boy at the Cincinnati...

It happened again. A restaurant brought Mark a kids’ meal. This is unacceptable. Mark is 6’3.” He’s 23! Some of the times this has...

When my autistic son was young, the phrase that made me cringe the most was “He has a long way to go.” It usually came from someone who...

I had long-imagined that Mark would find his voice in a scary, confusing world, but I never pictured his burst of self-expression...

I’ve noticed lately that my son, who’s 23 and autistic, is saying “Hi, Mark!” a lot. This has had me confused as well as depressed...

Being Mark’s mom is a large part of who I am. It’s a role I love that challenges me and exhausts me. It asks me to think outside the box...

Mark’s not regressing—he’s ready for more. A reflection on challenges, swimming, and seeing our kids through a different lens when they’re truly pushed to grow.

A cup of tea, a simple snack, and a magical moment with Mark transport me back to London—and forward in hope.

For Mark's 23rd birthday, I'm reigniting his reading journey—with hope, apps, and the belief that it's never too late to learn.

Letting go isn’t easy—but sometimes, good enough is just right. A moment of growth, trust, and grace in Mark’s supported living journey.

When autism parenting becomes a game of “because I said so,” everyone loses. This post explores why explaining the “why” matters — and how curiosity and challenges help our kids grow.

I don’t always know the words, but I sing for my son. Loving a child with autism isn’t about perfection—it’s about showing up and using your voice.

At Mark’s first psychiatry appointment, I was reminded that I carry anxiety too — the kind that comes from years of anticipating every what-if. I’m learning to let go, but as an autism mom, constant vigilance feels like survival, not overreaction.

A reflection on Mark’s early birth, his growth over 23 years, and the bittersweet beauty of watching him thrive in his supported living home. This is motherhood on the autism journey—honest, tender, and full of milestones that look different, but mean everything.