So, so true, every word. Thank you so much for writing this. I word with children with autism on a daily basis and they are truely amazing!

oops, word should be work.

what a beautifully written piece. i am a teacher and have a nephew "on the spectrum", so I can very much relate.

How awesome to read about you and your children. :) I love the Hugbabies! My first job (!!) was working as a physical therapy assistant for two of the sweetest little boys I have ever met, twins who have autism. What an amazing experience being able to work with them and their equally amazing family was. They definitely are not what people think of as "typically" autistic, and are very outgoing and friendly, extremely loving. Best of luck with your shop and lots of love to you and your family. :)

excellent article and I can relate to your experience having an adult son with autism..he is an excellent artist and a great many people challenged with autism have amazing artistic talent. 2 of my son's drawings are in my shop under Noah Erenberg's art. I am trying to interest an art's program ... Alpha Resource Center ..in Santa Barbara, CA. to open a shop for their clients with developmental disabilities on etsy. Wonderful work comes out of the program and they could use some international exposure. Thanks for bring attention to the issue of autism which affects so many of us!

♥

Thanks so much for posting this article...it really makes me happy to see it! I have a twin sister who's autistic, so while I don't know what it's like to have children that are, I do know what it's like to love and care for someone who is. I've spent my life (I'm 24!) wishing people would understand and while it's a sad thing that the autism statistics are what they are, at the same time autism is heard of, & at least partially known about. It's all happened so quickly it seems like. It seemed like nobody knew what that meant when I was little...or even until the last few years. My sister's a wonderful, vibrant person & I'm sure your kids will be the same! Thanks soo much for writing this article!

Thank you everyone for your kind words of support. I was aprehensive at first about putting myself out there like this, but everyone has been so positive and that makes it well worth it.

Shortsupply...what a thoughtful and thought provoking piece. Thank you for sharing. I love the Hugbaby and look forward to adding one to my life soon!

Thank you for sharing your story (and your kids' artwork) with us. As an art therapist I wish everyone could know that art is such an amazing communication tool, like you have discovered with your children.

Shortsupply, you are not alone on Etsy. My two little boys have ASD's as well. Both have communication issues, and are in special classes at school. However, they are obviously intelligent, happy kids. We have a lot of fun despite some social challenges, and I do my best to encourage their creative and technical interests. It IS hard to tell people, because I don't want anyone to feel sorry for me or them. Most just don't understand what it really means. Thanks for your efforts to spread awareness through your shop :)

Thank you for sharing this story! My son, who is pictured in my avatar, is has aspbergers. We just moved to a smaller community and I'm afraid to tell people at first because there isn't much awareness here about autism. Most people respond by saying, "He's such a good little boy or He's so smart." As if I thought he wasn't or something. And of course, in the middle of a meltdown at the store or restaurant, I always get the judgemental stares and comments. It's good to see a story about the positives of autism. It's not the end of the world. These kids have so much to offer!

Great summary and wonderful sharing! Take a look at my boy! Eli, peeking out from the covers . . . he's also autistic and we've always told everyone that he is. There shouldn't be any stigma. Eli is who he is. He's just like any other boy who's trying to figure out the world--it's just A LOT harder for him. Shame on the rest of the world that there is stigma. Eli is verbal but very reluctantly so . . . he took 5 years to potty train . . . has multiple sensory issues and "stims" off-and-on all day. He laughs like no one else I've ever known, has a passion beyond all the usual bounds for numbers, doesn't have any concept of lying, being intently hurtful to others or bratty. Christ, I love the little guy! Autism is difficult--for the kids who are (I mean this--"are"--not "have") the disorder--and for the parents and caregivers who try like hell to make these kids lives better. But, in the end, Eli loves us and we love him. Unconditionally. You can bet your bottom dollar I'm gonna buy from your shop, sister!

Wonderful Story and I congrat you on taking care of your child's needs and not limiting! I have a diffrent story, I wish my sunt was like you. It still hurts me to this day and when i read your story, it brung back memories. My step son & Cousin is Autistic. They are diffrent in their communication skills because of the diffrence of the way each parents accepted that their child had Autism. My step son is 21 and he can talk clearly, do for his self to a limit, go to a special school, but cannot count money, cook. They say his mind is still years behind. My cousin who is 19 does not talk, she cannot dress herself, she tell you what she want usually by pulling you and showing you.She goes to a school that has special classes in it. She was born premature and when she was diagnose with autism, her parents did not beleive it and was in denial. The doctor told them the earler they accept it and start to help her it will help her alot. They didn't and they kept her in the house secluded. They talked to her in baby talk and of course it did not help. When they finally accepted it she was older and they just put her in a special class. Which I felt was not good enough because she was already older. She needed alot of special care and more help from her parents. I begged my aunt to let me enroll her in some places I have found that was programs to help her one on one and also there was programs that they send someone to their home to show them ways to communicate and teach her at home. But I was told it was not my place to do it. Of course I had to back away but it hurt so much because I knew they was not doing what they could to help her. Now she in age is grown but has not grown up. She is harder to handle because she is bigger and weigh more than me. My Uncle has pasted away and my aunt is taking care of her by herself now. She still has the same of no help and somewhat still in denial.

I am sorry to hear that. I feel very blessed to live in this era of awareness and hope for Autism. Many sweet families like yours were negatively effected because until about 10 years ago, most people didn't know enough about treatment or where to go for help. Your step son is lucky to have you. Bless you and your family.

I am so glad that you wrote this piece! I am just rethinking the whole world since we found out that our two-year-old boy is Autistic. Autism is an amazing universe, scary at first and fascinating when you get familiar with it. My little son is teaching us so much about everything. I am trying to penetrate his universe just but being more aware than ever about details. He is teaching me how to see beyond what my eyes see and it has been incredible. I don't think that he is not-normal, he is just unique! I adore my little guy! Elsita :)

Thanks for advocating for our chidren! I'm also a mom to 2 kids with autism. I just came back to Etsy today after a break and was suprised to your article. You did a great job letting everyone know what our children are all about. Not everyone with autism is the same. My oldest has Asperger's Syndrome, which is just a fancy term for high functioning autism. My husband and 7 year old cousin (the oompa loompa in my picture) also have Asperger's. My 7 year old son is more classic, but verbal. He has some sevant traits so he does get the Rainman comarison quite often. Just like all of us on Etsy are all different, so are people with autism. Thanks for sharing your story and art. Anna

My younger sister has Asperger's Syndrome so I really empathise. She is 15 now and doing brilliantly at school, incredibly artistic and creative but also with excellent skills in Science and Maths, so good all-round abilities. She is beautiful, stylish and has masses of friends who don't know she has Asperger's. She is also a wonderful cook and very self motivated, with lots of ambitions for the future. However it has also been very hard and there have been a lot of bad times. Her school don't provide support despite being aware of her Asperger's, and because outwardly she is so successful and popular people don't understand or believe the behaviour problems she has at home. My parents are separated and my dad (who we suspect also has Asperger's) refuses to accept that she has the syndrome because he has never seen the negative side of it being manifested. My mum had to fight tooth and nail for her diagnosis after 10 years of behaviour issues, she faced a lot of discrimination because some people still don't seem to realise that single parent mothers can actually be intelligent and know what they're talking about! Hopefully your shop and your story will help people to feel less alone and raise awareness of this shockingly misunderstood condition. Thank you x

Thank you for your beautifully written article. I too have a daughter with an ASD. She wasn't diagnosed until 6th grade. She was the "shy" kid everyone picked on. With meds, ongoing therapy and lots of work she has bloomed. She's now in 9th grade, gets good grades and has a few friends. We still have temper and sensatory issues, and her favorite place to be is home. Being a single mom with many issues myself doesn't help. emerging public awareness does. Thanks for letting people know they aren't alone.

My son is also ASD. There is nothing I hate more than when you tell someone that and they say "i'm so sorry". Sorry for what? Sorry that I have the most adorable quirky polite and wonderful child the world has ever known (and his little brother who is the total opposite!). There is nothing to be sorry about he is who he is and I love him for that and all of his challenges!