By: Melissa Cossette My son Ryder was an early entrant to preschool at the age of 3 which was recommended by his clinician just after he was diagnosed with severe level 3 Autism, Global...
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Here you’ll find relevant essays related to raising a child with unique and complex needs. The purpose of these posts is to form connections through our shared stories. Stories have the power to change the world when we feel less alone in our struggles and finally seen.

The Difficulty of Getting Care as a Caregiver
Caregivers sometimes deal with significant health issues. A few years ago, I started dealing with some health issues. As a mom of four young boys, two who have special needs, I went to the doctor to...
High School Is Over, But Leaving The Nest Is Not An Option For My Daughter at This Time
As written by Linda Pollack Orleans The season I've been preparing for the past several years is here. This is the season my autistic daughter’s peers settle into their new college life or embark on...
We Are Here
As written by Katie Emde from her blog @A Journey for Avery We will always fight for you. The days you are crying, the days you scream all day & when the meltdowns are never ending. We will...
Strength Not Weakness
As written by Kim Mcisaac from her blog @Autism Adventures with Alyssa Mental health struggles are real and can be dark. You can lose your ability to cope and even to care. It can push you to the...
When He Prays
As written by Lindsay Criswell from her blog @Branch and Stone Studio My son cannot usually answer open ended questions. He may not look you in the eye. My son might come by your side, but then he...
I Feel Myself Slowly Deteriorating
As written by Melissa Gill from her blog page @My Journey With Jackson I honestly never realized how coping with Jackson’s extreme needs would affect me physically. I had read about the effects from...
Endless Game of Charades: Trying Nonverbal Strategies
As written by Laurie Hellmann for Autism Parenting Magazine and her blog @welcometomylifeblog The minute we become parents, we instinctually set high expectations and timelines for our children’s...
The Way to Find Hope is to Connect
As written by Tabitha Cabrera from her blog @Peace of Autism I often think about what impact others have on my well-being and state of mind. I struggle with the open sharing of our life with others...
The Importance of Partnership
As written by Amanda DeLuca from her blog @Jackson's Journey, Jackson's Voice Lessons I’ve learned about marriage while raising a special needs child. We’ve spent so much of our time and marriage...
Try Harder
As written by Paige Carter from her blog @OakforAutism "Can't you try harder?" These words were said to me by a nurse last Wednesday whilst trying to get my son to take a disgusting sedative...
Maybe One Day
As written by Margaret Hay from her blog @A&Me I am sometimes seen as rude. Uninterested. Detached. Maybe it is because when I bump into you when out, I often just say "hi" and then rush off...