Hello Autism Epicenter blog readers. I am a new blogger to this site. My name is Karen and I have an 18 year old daughter, Katie, who has autism. I hope my blogging will add a helpful perspective to those of you raising a younger child with ASD. It is hard to believe that we have raised our daughter to the legal age of accountability. There were times I thought we would not survive, but we did, and sometimes we even thrive!

In this blog, I hope to offer insight that I’ve gained over the last 18 years of raising Katie. As you might expect, Katie is responsible for bringing depth of character into our family. Of course, character often comes through surviving trials and tribulation. It is said that what does not kill you will make you stronger. That is part of our story.

Follow up:

The other part of our story is that Katie is a source of joy. She is no-nonsense, sturdy, spunky, funny, bright, and now, relatively happy. That has not always been the case. I am sure to share some of our struggles in my blogs, but today I am focusing on the blessings.

We have much over which to rejoice. Katie is driving, attending community college and getting ready to live independently. She has become a sensitive and caring person and is growing in self-awareness and responsibility every day. She is moral, law-abiding, honest and kind. (Ok, she is not always that kind to her younger sister, but what teenager is?). I cannot think of much more that is really important for an 18 year old. Like all of us, she is far from perfect, but we are not aiming for perfect, are we?

Now, back to you and your child…
You go, mom and dad! You rock! Here’s to you!! Yes, I am talking to you parents raising a child with autism! You are heroes. Keep on loving your kids day by day. You do it in umpteen ways. You do it with the schedule charts you make, with the nights you spend awake, with the potty training that seems to last forever. You do it with IEP meetings, setting up play dates, and doing whatever it takes to calm your child when upset.

I know what you do and I am proud of you. Get some respite when you need it, and then get back to the loving… I will talk to you soon.

Your friend,

Karen