I Changed My Way of Thinking

Welcome To Our Secret World

What I Don’t Say

By Anonymous Author / January 29, 2020

Autism is complex with many different angles and moving parts…as are those on the spectrum. All uniquely beautiful in their own way. My husband and I had a tough conversation… Read More
Finding Your Way Back to God After a Diagnosis

By findingcoopersvoice / January 27, 2020

I just came from church. I went alone today. I could have brought my two younger children but honestly, I needed 60 minutes to myself to sit and think. I… Read More
The Spiral Staircase

By Sarah Chapman / January 27, 2020

Questions filled my mind and I was unable to hear what the doctor was saying. I was sitting in her office listening to all she had to say about my… Read More
To The Mom…

By Mandy Farmer / January 27, 2020

To the mom with bags under her eyes from getting up hours before school to take her son to his appointments To the mom sitting by her baby girl in… Read More
Getting Diagnosed with Autism as an Adult

By Eileen Lamb / January 24, 2020

For my entire life, I’ve watched the world through a porthole. Disconnected, alone. Before my son Charlie was even two, he was diagnosed with autism. At that moment, I entered… Read More
When People See Our Autism

By findingcoopersvoice / January 24, 2020

Yesterday, I had the rare opportunity to watch my son interact with the world outside of our home and therapy. But even more interestingly, I was able to watch the… Read More
Life Has a Way of Changing

By findingcoopersvoice / January 24, 2020

You want to know what’s amazing about life? And my kid? And hard work? And goals? And hope? This. This right here. A simple trip to the grocery store. Something… Read More
At Least He Doesn’t…

By Alethea Jo / January 23, 2020

“At least he doesn’t…” When you “at least” me as a complex parent. I feel minimized. I feel shut up. I feel shut down. I feel unheard. I feel compared.… Read More
Hope, Grief, and Grace

By Carrie Cariello / January 23, 2020

My son Jack was diagnosed with autism when he was eighteen months old. It was a cold, gray afternoon in November. He was wearing a blue jacket. He’s fifteen now.… Read More
The Right and Wrong Reasons to Advocate

By Catherine Hughes / January 22, 2020

I have a message to send loud and clear. A true, honest advocate fights for the child, adolescent or adult whom they are representing. They will position themselves to partner… Read More
Invisible Disabilities: What You Can’t See in This Perfect Family Photo

By Stephanie Hanrahan / January 22, 2020

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but what exactly are those words? What’s the worth of something that’s carefully curated, filtered, and posed? I’ll tell you. I’m… Read More
The Little Brother with the Old Soul

By findingcoopersvoice / January 21, 2020

Today is Sawyer’s seventh birthday. Which is a really big deal. But honestly, what he said to me this afternoon makes it even more special. We had arrived at Cooper’s… Read More
Dear Mom, I Turned Out Okay

By Amanda Owen / January 21, 2020

Dear Mom, I know raising my brother, who has a disability, takes a toll on you in more ways than one could imagine. Being your child without the disability, I… Read More
My Journey Living with Autism

By Elizabeth Galt / January 21, 2020

Hey everybody! My name is Liz. I’m 26 years old and I have autism. Imagine being trapped in a maze, mouth duct taped and unable to talk. Each step in… Read More
Raising a Future Advocate

By Michele Rudd / January 20, 2020

Dear fellow momma at my sons therapy center, Today, you may have heard my oldest ask, “who’s that yelling?” I thought we covered autism, but I was so focused on… Read More
What’s Your Name?

By Amanda Ledbetter / January 17, 2020

We walked into our favorite Thai restaurant to pick up our carry-out order when my 7-year-old son James began greeting all of the customers. “Hi,” he said with a huge… Read More