I like to step into each new year with a heart full of gratitude for everything that brought me to this moment—and with genuine eagerness for what is still unfolding. Not because the road behind us has been easy, but because it has shaped me in ways I never could have imagined. As I reflect,…
There’s a phrase people use so casually when raising children: “You have to let go.” But when your child is an adult with profound autism—nonverbal, vulnerable, and dependent in ways the world doesn’t fully understand—letting go doesn’t feel casual. It feels terrifying. We moved to Colorado intentionally, guided by the promise of robust adult services,…
When I became a mother to my son, Skyler, I had many dreams and plans. Even at the age of 3 when he was diagnosed with autism and the landscape & process for when and how he would achieve those dreams changed, I held on tight. With each visit to the various medical providers throughout…
It’s taken me 49 years to recognize a very important concept… the energy of surrender accomplishes much more than the energy of control. And I have my nonspeaking, autistic 21-year-old son, Skyler to thank for teaching me that valuable lesson. You see, as much as I hope, pray & dream that Skyler will become even…
For approximately 19 years, I have been slapped and hit daily. The culprit…my 21-year-old son Skyler, who is on the severe end of the autism spectrum, is non-speaking, has global motor difficulties and suffers from Crohn’s disease. He uses physical contact as his primary method of communication. We’ve tried every tactic shared with us…
Last week I attended the annual fundraising gala for the incredible nonprofit organization that employs me as my 21-year-old, nonverbal autistic son Skyler’s SLP (supported living provider). Throughout his lifetime, we have never successfully secured respite services thus, we’ve never experienced a break from caregiving. Aside from occasionally relying on the kindness of friends or…
Any man can be a father, but it takes someone truly special to be a dad. A dad extends his hands, time and heart to love the child through anything. The bond between my husband, Josh and my autistic adult son, Skyler is like nothing I’ve ever seen. Many people jokingly call Josh “the Skyler…
My son, Skyler who has severe, nonverbal autism, dyspraxia and Crohn’s disease is mere months away from turning 21 and it has me constantly worried about what’s next – for him and for me. Throughout my 20 years of parenting Skyler, the only thing that has significantly changed has been my title. The majority of…
Much of my life and the majority of my social media posts revolve around managing the unpredictability of severe, nonverbal autism and its impact on Skyler’s life. As his full-time parent caregiver and the parent of a neurotypical child as well, I feel it’s important to also share how this extremely challenging diagnosis affects the…