2 years ago, I joined the conversation about autism looking for answers to my current circumstances, and I started to navigate a colorful spectrum of information; from other people’s stories and concerns to possible causes and strategies to support the well development of children and adults with autism. At this point, I don’t focus anymore on the causes; I already passed the stage of “why”, to deal now with the “what” and the “how”. It has been quite a journey! Like a rollercoaster ride that never stops, that makes me dizzy but at the same time makes me wish for more and more, because maybe, just in the next lap, we are going to make it!

Many times I’ve felt that my life can be divided in two; but I now realize that if this is true, and if it exists a point in my life that cut it in half, this could be when I started to live in the autism spectrum. I say “I started to live in” because, even though I am not the one who has autism, my life and the way I see the world had changed tremendously.

When the doctor confirms the autism diagnosis for our son Alejandro, I felt devastated; but more than two years later, things have changed a lot! Alejandro is still nonverbal, but he is learning to communicate in so many ways.

I still feel anxious and overwhelmed; but I’m also stronger than 2 years ago, and autism doesn’t scare me anymore! I admit that I get mad at it sometimes, that some days are so difficult that I just want to leave and never come back, but other days are better; and when I can connect with Alejandro and I see his smile, I can easily understand that it is just a matter of coloring one day at a time; listening to my son’s own music and forgetting about conventional milestones; learning to be patient, pushing when needed and celebrating his efforts and progress; promoting awareness with inclusion and obviously, taking some mama time to enjoy a glass of wine on Friday nights to recharge.

Sometimes I think that life presented to me this colorful spectrum to teach me that I need to slow down and really appreciate the music on people and the colors of the world around me… to be more humane.

Explore with us, and learn to see beyond the spectrum…

Originally posted here httpss://oneplusoneisfour.net/2015/04/01/rocking-the-spectrum/