When we realised that autism was a part of Ethan’s world I soon realised that Ethan showed affection in a very different way. He would back into you for cuddles and we would touch heads together as a gesture for a kiss. This isn’t something we worked on it’s what naturally happened, Ethan is very affectionate but it is in his own way and on his terms. He never initiated cuddles. I never realised this was an autistic trait but when I did it upset me. I remember a very low point when Darren was stuck in traffic and we had no idea what time he would make it home…

It’s that time of year again when you’re asked to turn everything blue to raise autism awareness. A good thing, but as today is always a hard day for me as it marks two milestones that unexpectedly changed our lives forever, I found myself questioning this awareness. Awareness is good but what about acceptance? Acceptance has to start in your own home at the beginning of any autism journey. Accepting that your journey is different, that it isn’t what you expected and that it is going to be hard. This acceptance can take many years, it’s something that I’m still working on but it isn’t because you wish you could…

Today is Ethan’s diagnosis anniversary, last year I wondered if it was going to be a milestone I marked on the blog. Today I feel the need to do this again. It’s not really a date I feel needs to be celebrated but I feel at times, in those low moments that can creep up on you out of no where, it’s good to remember how far our superstar has come. From the little boy who couldn’t say a word and was walking along the lines on the floor in the doctor’s office, to the boy who had his eyes tested last week without lashing out. He has come so…