I Changed My Way of Thinking

Welcome To Our Secret World

A Letter to My Younger Self

By Amy Gravino / July 24, 2020

“Dear Amy, I know you’re feeling pretty bad right now. The other kids make fun of you a lot, and you don’t know why. You’re trying really hard to be friends… Read More
Let There Be a Sister

By Carrie Cariello / July 23, 2020

One green, green day, the Lord looked upon the world. He admired his sons and his daughters. He smiled at all of the wonderful animals, and he gazed tenderly at… Read More
‘No’, the most complicated word in the English language

By Cindy Decker / July 22, 2020

NO. One of the smallest words in the English language with the most power. Such a small word. Sometimes it’s the first word you learn. As an adult, it’s easy, short,… Read More
The Many Emotions of Covid

By Donna Lund / July 21, 2020

Like most of you, since Covid 19 struck, I feel like I have been underground these past few months. I have been consumed and somewhat distraught by the many issues… Read More
Who Would I Be?

By Carrie Cariello / July 17, 2020

Who would I be without him? I ask myself this question every once in a while. I don’t ask it often, because that could turn into a slippery slope, if… Read More
It’s Just a Bracelet

By Lucy Watts / July 16, 2020

I purchased my son Rory a medical bracelet. When the lady asked what I wanted to write on it I paused. ‘How many words can I put on it?’ And… Read More
When He Outgrew Cute

By Jess Ronne / July 15, 2020

When he outgrew cute The looks changed from compassion to concernedTowards him And towards those who supported him. And sometimes disgust Overshadowed concern As he stubbornly clung to his ways.… Read More
Quarantine Confession

By Leah Moore / July 14, 2020

Every day we wait outside for a package we never ordered. The days of quarantine are long, especially for a child with special needs. The lack of routine is brutal. … Read More
Old Autism Mama

By Carrie Cariello / July 13, 2020

If you are reading this, there is a good chance someone you know has autism. Hi. My name is Carrie. I have five kids, and my second son, Jack, has… Read More
A Moment in the Park

By Noelle Lee / July 10, 2020

It was a beautiful evening. The puppy needed a walk, Gracie needed out of the house, so we went to the park. It was quiet, only a few kids here… Read More
The Phone Calls We Take

By Jill Logan / July 8, 2020

I have been on countless phone calls in my lifetime. There was a time in my youth where I loved getting all the phone calls on my birthday, relatives singing… Read More
Quarantine, Autism and Never Giving Up

By Lauren Emmett / July 7, 2020

Oh, quarantine and autism. You have been a doozy. You would think we would have embraced this socially distant period like all the autism memes suggested at the beginning of… Read More
A Boy of No

By Carrie Cariello / July 2, 2020

Once upon a time, there was a boy who always said no. When he was very small and didn’t have his words, he learned to sign it with his fingers.… Read More
Walk a Mile in Autism

By Chloe Kendall / July 1, 2020

A poem for my 16-year-old brother with autism: Neil Kurshan said, “Walk a mile in my shoes is good advice. Our children will learn to respect others if they are… Read More
I’ve Been a Primary Caregiver for 30 Years. Here is What I Want you to Know:

By Kelly of Growing Up Steven / June 30, 2020

Hi, my name is Kelly and I am the mother to an amazing young man named Steven. He was diagnosed with autism at age 2 and later apraxia. He recently… Read More
Petition: BAN Videos of Children’s Autism Meltdowns

By Sarah Turner / June 29, 2020

Imagine you are having your worst day. You lose your job, furnace breaks, your dog runs away and your spouse asks for a divorce. You are clearly struggling. And then… Read More