We Asked Parents Questions for Autism Acceptance Month

“Autism should just be a normal word. Everybody’s different in their own ways.”

We asked parents questions about raising their kids on the autism spectrum.

What are the positives of your child’s neurodiversity?

“I love that he sees the world in his own unique way. He teaches me to see that world.”

“He’s got the best sense of humor in the whole wide world. It’s quirky. He says things that just—crack me up.”

“He takes a little bit more time to appreciate life, I think. It just makes him appreciate everything a little bit more.”

“Having to think with them in their language and in their way of categorizing, made it possible for me to think outside of every category.”

What would you tell a parent whose child has just been diagnosed?

“It’s not the end of whatever dream you have for your child.”

“Congratulations.”

“They’re still the same person they were before the diagnosis. And if they learn to love who they are in their unique ways of being, then it’s going to be a wonderful journey to be on.”

When people think about autism, what do you want them to think about?

“A person who’s unique. Autism is a person who has their own perspective.”

“I want them to understand that it’s a spectrum. So all kids are different and unique in their own ways.”

“Autism is just another way that we live our life.”

Celebrate autism acceptance.

Because everyone is different in their own way, and that’s OK.