My ‘Ah-Ha’ Autism Moment

By Kate Swenson | January 31, 2018 |

On my drive to work this morning, I was considering different topics for my February writing challenge topic and I landed on the ‘ah-ha’ autism moment. You know the one? The exact moment you realize that your child really does have autism. And it’s really serious. And you can’t hide it anymore. And your child is different than their peers and siblings. For me this wasn’t the moment our doctor first mentioned early intervention or even when he was diagnosed with autism. Yes, those moments were hard and stung. But,…

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A Conversation with Sawyer: Is My Brother Coming With?

By Kate Swenson | December 21, 2017

A few nights ago, Jamie and I attended our four-year-olds first Christmas pageant. I can’t even tell you how excited I was to attend. Sawyer had been talking about it for weeks. I knew it was going to be special. Sawyer nailed it. Just like he always does. He stood, sang, participated and hammed it up. And we watched. It was wonderful. It was pretty special to watch him. My little Sawyer’s first Christmas concert. He’s a star! And also appears to have some emotions midway through. He’s on the…

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This is Going to be Okay…

By Kate Swenson | July 12, 2017 |

Most days I think this is going to be alright. I can give my autistic, nonverbal son the best life ever. He can live with mom and dad forever and we will be OK. I tell myself I can do this. And I’ll find someone to care for him after I’m gone. I am a fighter. I will never give up. But even more than that I am an advocate for a little boy with autism that deserves the best life possible.  And I’ve quickly realized that when you have…

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