I am not a mother of a child who has autism, but an aunt and a big sister. I am helping to raise my niece and have been close to my little brother. My niece is my best friend I love helping her learn new things and watching her get inspired on a day to day basis. It’s not always all fun and games though.

She is non-verbal and can become easily agitated when she can’t communicate like she wants. As a result, her meltdowns can be really bad. I swear she has the strength of a full-grown man, even though she’s almost eight years old. It can be a challenge to calm her down and sometimes it takes everything I have to relax her.

There are a lot of things that can set her off and a lot of things that make her happy – it really all just depends on the day. If there’s one thing I have learned in the past eight years, it’s that no matter how hard it gets, she is and always will be special. I love her so much and having her in my life has made me realize what my true calling is – and that is to be a special education teacher. I want to be able to help kids, and even adults, with challenges. I’d like to help them learn things they never thought possible.

I love watching my niece grow and learn new things and I would like to help others do the same. I guess what I’m trying to say is that just because someone is different does not mean they’re any less of a person.

The next time you see a kid in the store having a meltdown don’t just think that the kid is a brat and their parents aren’t teaching them like they should. Stop and think that maybe they can’t help it and they are doing their best to control the situation. Sometimes it’s hard to tell what will set a child off.

Love a person for who they are and let them inspire you to do better! Love a little more and judge a little less.