Autism Acceptance Isn’t About Limits — It’s About Possibilities! 💙
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April is Autism Acceptance Month, and I want to take these next few weeks to share more about my story as an "Autism Mama." 💙 ***** I had my weekly Autism Acceptance Month themes all lined up, but I had to pause and speak on the ridiculousness coming from Robert F. Kennedy Jr. You know, the newly appointed, highly underqualified U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services. Specifically, what he said about children with autism. A whole bunch of "they will never" wrapped up in misleading comments and misinformation. Normally, I'd share a link for you to watch or read for yourself. Not today. Google at your own risk, because he for sure pissed me off too bad to bother. Let me be clear: They can say it, but it’s on you how or if you receive it. As for me? I reject it immediately. I’ve even had moments where my son Quincy reminds me not to underestimate him, and I need that reality check sometimes. Because truth be told, he’s shown me more about resilience and determination than most adults I know. One reason I don’t post much about Quincy is because of ignorant people like RFK. I can share the smallest thing (like a moment all kids experience), and here come the comments rooted in pity, ignorance, or uninvited judgment and advice. And to them, it’s not dumb. But the way my “crash out” is set up when it comes to my child? I don’t always have the grace to give them or the patience to educate them. And I’m self-aware enough to protect my peace and my son’s privacy. If you've been following me and you’re navigating this journey as well, please know that I'm always willing to help you. Don’t hesitate to reach out. Me not posting my son often isn't me being distant. It’s me being deliberate. Now back to this whole "never" foolishness. The only "never" you need in your vocabulary when it comes to your autistic loved one is:
And so on, and so forth. You feel me? You got that? In the words of a four-year old bossing around their one-year old sibling, "Say, yes." Thank you. Our journeys may look different, but that doesn’t mean they’re without progress or joy. You set the tone and foundation for growth and development. I ran across someone who was speaking about a parent who just wanted to communicate with their nonverbal autistic child and have the child understand and communicate back. They were told it would “never” happen. Sound familiar? You know what did happen? They learned sign language. Together. And now they have the conversations they were told would never happen. It’s all about perspective and approach. It may not look the way you imagined it, but that doesn’t mean it’s not possible. So PLEASE tell RFK and anyone else talking that "never" nonsense to get out your face! Quickly! And they better not make you have to say it twice. Ingrid 📣 I'm going LIVE Tuesday, April 29th at 12:30 PM CST on Instagram! 🎉 My autism parenting course is 25% off through the end of April! |