Important things I've learned as an Autism Mom

-People are ignorant. Most people really don't know much or anything about Autism.  Most of what they think they know is inaccurate. 

-I have learned who my true family and friends are.  There is a lot of fake support and people who have fallen out of my life.  I don't need them anyway and don't want fakeness around my family.

-Sense of humor is imperative. If I stop laughing then I'll drown. 

-Knowledge is key. One must know Autism to be able to help and advocate for their child.

-I can live without much sleep.  I barely sleep and am still alive and moving forward. 

-No one understands what it's like to be an Autism parent except another Autism parent.  More importantly, they are the only other people who know what it's like to live with Autism.  Living with Autism is different than knowing it.

-Small successes are priceless. The smallest things have made me jump up and down and cry tears of joy.  Our kiddos accomplish things at their own pace, we work long and hard, and then we celebrate!
 
-Clean house is optional.  The house will still stand if it is dirty.  We will all survive even if there is clutter or the house isn't cleaned constantly.  There are more important things to do. 

-True heartbreak sucks. Watching my children struggle is the most painful thing ever.

-I've learned to pick my battles with the kids and how things must be for them.  Safety and health first then who knows. 

-Stress relief and an occasional Ugly Cry are necessary. Finding an outlet of emotions, frustration, loneliness, anger, grief etc are necessary.  I'll burn out if I don't have something.

-It's important to not pass judgement on others. This happens to us on a regular basis.

-It's ok to hate Autism. I try to be positive all the time.  However, Autism has made life tough for my kids, given them challenges they shouldn't have and made it hard to enjoy things that should be easy for kids to.  A lot of days I hate Autism.  It doesn't mean I hate my kids or love them an less, just that things were easier for them and that they were able to do things they can't.

-Facebook has provided a way to talk to other Autism parents that has been more helpful than I could have ever imagined. I have been able to get real advice from people living it too and just knowing that there are others out there dealing with the same things has made a huge difference for me.

-I've learned to tune out a lot of noise.  There is always so much crying, screaming, verbal stims and electronic devices making noise at the same time.  The noise alone could drive someone nuts.  I swear they hear our house in space.

-NO ONE knows my child better than I do, not any Doctor or specialist or know-it-all family member. 

-Patience is at times the most challenging thing to have on the planet and that's ok. Some days I gotta dig deep within myself for patience.

-Loneliness is a fact of life.  Being a Special Needs Mom is a lonely path.  The only people that truly understand my life now are other Special Needs Moms.

-I am stronger and can handle more than I thought.