No two stories are the same.

Through our blog, we share the stories of individuals with all kinds of disabilities, their families, and the people working to improve their lives. We hope that in sharing everyone's stories, we can raise awareness to this less well understood, but equally important group in our society. You can support us by reading these stories and sharing them with your friends and family. Enjoy!

Past Stories

The Narratives We Tell Ourselves

By Kevin Vu| Published on April 8, 2021 | 8 Minute Read

The way we perceive our life’s stories can have an immeasurable impact on how we act or respond. When I was two to three years old, I was diagnosed with autism, which my parents informed me about when I was eight years old. ...Read More

The Story of My Diagnosis

By Chloe Delaney| Published on April 6, 2021 | 4 Minute Read

Hey, my name is Chloe Delaney and I’ve been recently diagnosed with Autism and a general learning disability. I’m 17, but I was diagnosed with autism and my learning disability at 17 just in February, but months before I knew that I might have had autism...Read More

A Mother's Journey

By Jhanin Olavarria| Published on April 1, 2021 | 11 Minute Read

To have a child with special needs is pretty much opening up a door, not knowing what's on the other side of the door waiting for you. It is as the subconscious mind where we, as humans, encompass the awareness of all things the conscious mind cannot recognize...Read More

Autism and Mental Health

By Lindsey Bridges| Published on March 25, 2021 | 11 Minute Read

Being a mother is all about learning strengths you never knew you had and dealing with fears you didn’t even know existed. When Lauren was diagnosed with Autism at the age of 17 years old, I have to admit, it didn’t come as a surprise...Read More

The Unexpected Journey

By Sarah Caldwell| Published on March 25, 2021 | 11 Minute Read

In 2014, I was an excited first time mum ready to embrace my new journey of Parent Hood! When Amelie was born, I was in the new mummy bubble! I couldn’t believe that she was finally here, and I was now on my steep learning curve of being a mum...Read More

Wonderfully Made

By Stacy Nix | Published on March 23, 2021 | 15 Minute Read

The very first time I realized there was something set apart about Preston, was when I laid eyes on this black & white picture. The day after I gave birth, a kind hospital photographer came by, & asked us if we would like some photographs of our new family.....Read More

My ADHD Story

By Vicky Heneghan | Published on March 18, 2021 | 5 Minute Read

Hi my name is Vicky. I was diagnosed with ADHD at the age of 28. I struggled all my life with learning. Made very little friends. I got poor grades in school due to lack of a diagnosis....Read More

I'm Not Weird

By Ellen Zellner | Published on March 16, 2021 | 5 Minute Read

Hello. My name is Ellen Zellner and I am blessed with a 34 year old autistic son who is also diagnosed with Marfan Syndrome.When he was young, he wore numerous leg braces and spinal braces for symptoms affiliated with Marfan Syndrome...Read More

'That' Parent

By Liz | Published on March 11, 2021 | 12 Minute Read

“I don’t want to be ‘that’ parent,” was my opening line at the very first meeting I attended to try to get some additional support for my son at school, who was four and partway through the Autism diagnostic pathway at the time...Read More

Our Autism Journey: Solving the Puzzle

By Nikki C | Published on March 9, 2021 | 7 Minute Read

Quinten was born an 8lb happy baby boy. He was the second and last of two children, both boys. During his initial pediatrician appointments, Quinten passed all of his examinations with flying colors...Read More

𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘥𝘪𝘥𝘯’𝘵 𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘰𝘥𝘢𝘺...

By Lara Jones | Published on March 4, 2021 | 4 Minute Read

Click here to read a beautiful poem by Lara Jones!...Read More

It Gets Better

By Leslie Staubs | Published on March 2, 2021 | 11 Minute Read

Charlie was born on a Hot and sunny day - at Winney Palmer Hospital in Orlando, Fl. It was August 13, 2014. Ironically, the 10th anniversary of Hurricane Charley. Sheer coincidence, I promise!..Read More

How I've Faced my Challenges

By Ben Bluemond | Published on February 25, 2021 | 10 Minute Read

Hi, I’m Ben and I am 22 years old with Autism from the Chicago Metropolitan area. A little about me, I am an athlete and competitive runner that currently competes in local road races throughout the Midwest region...Read More

The Long Journey

By Emily Elsworth | Published on February 23, 2021 | 9 Minute Read

I have always been an anxious person and have found navigating through daily life to be a challenge. Going to school was something that I found to be really difficult...Read More

I Am Your Voice, You Are My Strength

By Tiana Walker | Published on February 18, 2021 | 8 Minute Read

2 months before I became pregnant with my son Z I had a miscarriage. At the time I didn’t understand why this had happened to me until later on. When I gave birth to Z this delivery felt different than his siblings' deliveries...Read More

Autism and Us

By Karen Nicholls | Published on February 17, 2021 | 8 Minute Read

I'm Karen and I'm mum to 2 older teens, Mia 18 and Tom 16. Tom was diagnosed with ASD 5 years ago. He has since struggled daily with huge anxiety and sensory issues. Around the time of his diagnosis Tom's junior school ended...Read More

You Are Poised to Magnify Your Potential.

By the Autistic Blogger | Published on February 11, 2021 | 12 Minute Read

There was a period in my life where I presumed I was cursed for being Autistic. Listening in on a conversation between my mother and doctor when the instantaneous statement “Your son will be at minimum three years behind in academics” spilled out of the doctor's mouth...Read More

A Mother's Intuition

By Vicky Finlayson | Published on February 8, 2021 | 6 Minute Read

Hey everyone! I’m Vicky, mum to Rose, my unicorn with autism - 7, and Jack, 5, a loving brother who so innocently thinks that autism is 'the season where the leaves turn brown'...Read More

Autism and Culinary Skills

By Tanishq Morcha | Published on February 4, 2021 | 5 Minute Read

Tanishq is now eleven years old. He was diagnosed with PDD-NOS at the age of two. He enjoys cooking. During this lockdown, we created a YouTube channel "Wonderful" to share his culinary skills. Our main motto is to inspire his differently-abled friends through this channel...Read More

Special Boys

By Matt Westerheide | Published on February 2, 2021 | 12 Minute Read

I never in a million years thought I would have a child with special needs, let alone two. No one does, no one is prepared. I didn't even know what the term "special needs" was really...Read More

Raising Ivy: My Life as a Mom to a Child With a Rare Diagnosis

By Kari Hall | Published on January 28, 2021 | 12 Minute Read

I am Kari, and I’ve been married to Byron for 23 years. We always dreamed of having a large family, and were devastated when we had 4 miscarriages early on in our marriage. Though I had medical complications, we were able to have our daughter...Read More

Fighting for Lexi

By Stephen Ford | Published on January 26, 2021 | 6 Minute Read

Autism. It was nothing but a word to us until our daughter, Lexi, was diagnosed as Autistic in the summer of 2020 at age 6, during the first Covid-19 Lockdown. She was also diagnosed with Sensory Processing Disorder and displayed traits of something called “Pathological Demand Avoidance”...Read More

The Send Life

By Lynsey Hughes | Published on January 21, 2021 | 8 Minute Read

I’m a proud Mum of Sidney who is 4 and was diagnosed with Autism only this year. Looking back, Sid started to show delays from about 6 months onwards...Read More

Getting Bertie to Sign

By Laura Brompton | Published on January 19, 2021 | 6 Minute Read

From birth, Bertie was always a quiet baby, we thought we’d hit the jackpot: he never cried, never grumbled, just sat happily in his chair without any fuss but as time went on it became apparent that his lack of vocalisation may be a sign that he wasn’t developing as he should be...Read More

The Journey to Diagnosis

By Amy Hamilton | Published on January 14, 2021 | 9 Minute Read

For the longest time after I’d given birth, I didn’t refer to Luca as my son. Here he was, days old, completely dependent on me and everything I had to give him and I didn’t feel like a mother. He was always “my little boy”. Sure there probably isn’t a grain of difference, other than terminology, but it was what the words symbolised. Mother and son was a team, a unit and we were far from that for the longest time...Read More

Beyond Autism: Jayden's Journey

By Kirby Morgan | Published on January 12, 2021 | 10 Minute Read

I have been wanting to share our story for a while now, but we were thrown into the Autism world like we were hit by a truck. I will never forget the appointment on that November morning in 2013 where...Read More

Autism Mom MD

By Dr. Carol Baltazar | Published on January 7, 2021 | 14 Minute Read

My earliest observation of Rey having autism is when he was about 2 years old. The word that comes to mind is focus. He was very routine oriented and would focus on certain ideas/topics. For example, one day he took his collection of toy cars and lined them up carefully. I remember watching the focus he had in lining up the cars...Read More

Having an Autistic Sister

By Louisa Briggs | Published on January 5, 2021 | 10 Minute Read

Hi, my name is Louisa and I’m 18. My younger sister Anna is 12 and she was diagnosed with autism a few months before her second birthday. I was 7 when she was diagnosed and I think I was too young to appreciate what this diagnosis would mean for Anna and her future, and also....Read More

A Cause Worth Fighting For- Our Path Through Autism

By Thamanna Choudhury | Published on December 31, 2020 | 12 Minute Read

Aiman, our first born, was born 9 days overdue which seemed quite normal for most women. I opted to have a water birth after the MW advised us there were no further complications since having bleeding till my 2^nd trimester...Read More

A Ray of Sunshine

By Kerry Harrison | Published on December 29, 2020 | 8 Minute Read

My name is Kerry. I am a 40 year old single mum who has been blessed with two beautiful boys that have taught me so much about myself and life. It all started with my first born. Mason was very distressed as a baby....Read More

Eric's Autism Journey

By Agnes Chapman | Published on December 24, 2020 | 7 Minute Read

When Eric was born in 2003, I was an extremely excited older sister; I could not wait to have a baby in the house and a new friend to play with. However, little did 5-year-old me know that Eric was going to be different to other brothers and that he would have a greater impact on my life than....Read More

Motherhood

By Shalita Thomison | Published on December 22, 2020 | 6 Minute Read

I will NEVER forget the day I found out I was going to be a mother. I took the pregnancy test at my cousin’s home for support. I had a close friend there as well. While waiting for the results I prayed it would say NO....Read More

Raising Ronin - His Autism Journey

By Krystle Prashad | Published on December 17, 2020 | 6 Minute Read

A phrase I repeatedly use is that this journey I am on belongs solely to my son, Ronin. This is his Autism journey and I am simply walking the road that he is paving. Even though at times he may block the road, I make sure that I figure out a way through the roadblocks instead of creating a different path...Read More

Our Life with Autism

By Georgina King | Published on December 15, 2020 | 5 Minute Read

Charlie was always a clingy baby, different from my other 2 children and a lot more dependent. However, we did not realise that autism may have been the cause until he started school. He was 5 when I first started to realise the impact that Charlie’s sensory...Read More

Our PDA Journey

By Ashlea Rimmer | Published on December 10, 2020 | 5 Minute Read

From 2 years old Alfie showed a lot of frustration and social anxiety. His behaviour was becoming a daily issue. As a first time parent, I was unsure if this behaviour was a typical toddler tantrum or if there was more to it....Read More

The Unpredictable Journey

By Lorraine Brown | Published on December 8, 2020 | 5 Minute Read

Hi I am a mum of 4 children aged between 6-18years , my eldest son has ASD, Dyslexia , PDA and Sensory Processing Disorder. He attended mainstream school until year 4 , and had a good friendship group but one of his friends began to bully him...Read More

ASD with a G and T

By Lisa Loyd | Published on December 2, 2020 | 5 Minute Read

I am a very proud mum of two with autism. My son Finley was born and I knew from the start he was born to be different. He came into the world pretty annoyed and fed up with everything and with time, we learnt what he likes and what can trigger a meltdown...Read More

My Journey with Autism

By Will Stokes | Published on December 1, 2020 | 7 Minute Read

When I was at Primary school, it was a lonely place for me because I didn't like crowds of people and they all got on my nerves. Even though I wasn't diagnosed with autism at that time, I knew that I was different from everyone else...Read More

Expect the Unexpected

By Fred Marvel | Published on November 19, 2020 | 8 Minute Read

Our journey with our oldest son was definitely not at all what we expected it to be. Aleks was born three years after my wife and I got married. His birth and first four months of his life were pretty typical....Read More

Special Stories with ESN: Dr. Temple Grandin

Interviewers: Meghana Repaka and Nithila Poongovan| Published on November 12, 2020 | 15 Minute Read

A while back, we had the pleasure of interviewing Dr. Temple Grandin, a huge proponent for the special needs community. Here is a transcript of that interview. We covered a lot of ground from her childhood experiences to what we can do as a society to help children with special needs achieve their full potential!...Read More

My Life as an Autistic Black Man

By Robert James Parker | Published on November 9, 2020 | 5 Minute Read

My name is Robert James Parker and I was born on December 30th 1995 in Richmond Virginia. One of 3 kids, and I am the oldest by 1&2 half years by my twin siblings. My parents are Deborah Parker McCord and Melvin McCord and my siblings are Lauren and Trey. Also I have two dogs Yoshi and Charlie. I am on the autism spectrum...Read More

Bobby's Autism Journey

By Michelle Cox | Published on November 5, 2020 | 5 Minute Read

After years of trying to conceive naturally, we were blessed with our miracle boy Bobby after our first round of IVF in January 2017. For the first 12 months, Bobby developed beautifully, hitting all his milestones. He was walking at 10 months old and people often commented on how "forward" he was...Read More

Life as a Special Needs Parent

By Alexis Wood | Published on November 2, 2020 | 6 Minute Read

The winter of 2017 was around the time when we first noticed that Milan, who is our daughter, was different from other kids her age.Milan of course was and is very smart in her own and unique way...Read More

Finding Shayla's Voice

By Sean and Annasha| Published on October 26, 2020 | 3 Minute Read

After our daughter Shayla, was diagnosed with autism at the age of 2, our mission was to gather as much information as possible, and to seek the best help for our daughter...Read More

Autism in the Time of Corona

By Kindra Sterling | Published on October 21, 2020 | 6 Minute Read

The Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has been devastating for special needs families. Much needed therapy stopped, schools closed and most importantly, the routines that our kids invariably depended on were immediately disrupted...Read More

Introducing Grace Strobel!

By Grace Strobel | Published on October 20, 2020 | 10 Minute Read

Hi! My name is Grace Strobel, I’m 24 yrs old and I was born with Down syndrome- but Down syndrome does not define me. I am a model, a speaker, an athlete and an activist...Read More

Teaching and Changing Lives

By Anonymous | Published on October 15, 2020 | 5 Minute Read

I was talking to a tree yesterday. It sat in the garden of our school, green and lush and bushy. I was laying on the ground, on my stomach, in the sun, talking to it. Or so it seemed to any passerby. The truth, in fact, was that hiding behind this very lush tree was a small boy feeling frightened and anxious and overwhelmed...Read More

Musically Speaking: My Autistic Son's Journey Using Music

By Francene Noel | Published on October 12, 2020 | 9 Minute Read

My husband and I, along with our 18 month old son Zachary, moved to Canada for my husband’s job several years ago. During our time there our son was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and we had to make some smart choices about getting him the right therapies as early as possible...Read More

Our Autism Story

By Sophie Holmes | Published on October 8, 2020 | 5 Minute Read

I’m a Mum of two boys, Matthew aged 9 and Edward aged 7. We live in the beautiful county of Devon in the South West of England. Matthew is neurotypical and Edward is autistic. As a secondary school teacher I was already familiar with autism having taught autistic children in mainstream schools...Read More

Family Business With a Cause

By Serin Benadiba | Published on October 5, 2020 | 3 Minute Read

Hi, my name is Serin. I am a wife, mother and an entrepreneur. I recently started a new venture called DIBA, where I make high quality tye-dye fashions. I have 2 beautiful children. My daughter Ava is 9 and has the biggest heart and she is bright and full of life. My son Oliver was diagnosed with moderate ASD at the age of 2. Oliver is loving and kind, and extremely energetic!...Read More

Have autism, will travel.

By Dina Farmer | Published on October 1, 2020 | 5 Minute Read

I'm Dina Farmer, mom to two wonderful little boys one of which is on the autism spectrum. My oldest son was recently diagnosed with high function autism and ADHD. He is an incredibly smart little boy that can out logic me on a good day....Read More

Learning, Growing and Embracing My Geek

By Jonathan Cormur | Published on September 28, 2020 | 8 Minute Read

Hi, I’m Jonathan Murphy and my professional name is Jonathan Cormur. I grew up a different thinker and was diagnosed on the Autism Spectrum at 13. The diagnosis gave a name to my unique way of being and interacting with the world but it didn’t change anything in my life...Read More

The Ability in Disability

By Justin Vantreese | Published on September 24, 2020 | 7 Minute Read

At this point in time, autism is my entire life. This is by my choosing, but more so by God’s plan. I graduated from college at the end of 2010 with a degree in exercise science. I had plans to just train typical people in some capacity...I don’t think I had any grasp on what autism truly was either...Read More

Admiring Aidan is Admiring Autism

By Allania Lathrop | Published on September 21, 2020 | 15 Minute Read

When we are children, our parents read us many books that hold more meaning than the stories themselves. Of these stories there is one that resonates when thinking about a child's development, and that is The Tortoise and the Hare...Read More

‘No’: the most complicated word in the English language

By Cindy Decker | Published on September 17, 2020 | 7 Minute Read

NO. Such a small word. Sometimes the first word you learn. One of the smallest words in the English language with the most power. As an adult, it’s easy, short, authoritarian. Many times you don’t even have to explain it...Read More

I do this for Frankie

By Suzi Panovska | Published on September 14, 2020 | 4 Minute Read

Life has been a journey indeed and to me it’s just the beginning! Being an Autism and Mental Health Advocate has always been a big part of my world since my oldest son Frankie was diagnosed. I sincerely know and believe Autistic people can enjoy the same rights...Read More

Five Things I have learned as an Autism Mom

By Chandra Ferrell | Published on September 11, 2020 | 7 Minute Read

Being an autism mom is one of the most complicated, rewarding jobs I could ever have. My son was born at 37 weeks and as soon as I laid eyes on him, I knew he would be special...Read More

A Father’s Perspective Navigating Life on the Autism Spectrum

By Kevin Harris | Published on September 7, 2020 | 10 Minute Read

I remember the room was cold enough that I was worried he was chilly. Christian was only a few hours old, and my wife - who just went through a grueling 20 hour labor and was getting some well-deserved rest - couldn’t ease my mind by telling me he was fine. Hospitals always seemed too cold to me...Read More

Embracing Our Autism Journey

By Jade Joyce | Published on September 3, 2020 | 3 Minute Read

On the 24th February 2010 at 1:36pm, I was handed my beautiful 6 pound baby boy at just 18 years old. I knew from this moment I would protect and love my son no matter what. Ten months previous to this, I was undergoing surgery for the removal of a brain tumor that had been miss diagnosed for a long time...Read More

I had a dream

By David Buckley | Published on August 31, 2020 | 3 Minute Read

Marie is the writer in our family not me. You know for all the important stuff like birthday cards and ‘love’ notes threatening to kill me when I haven’t taken the bins out so this is a whole new thing for me and I’m not sure if what I’m going say will be more than ranting so please bear with me...Read More

Embracing Aries

By Aisha Christa Atkinson | Published on August 27, 2020 | 5 Minute Read

As leaden tears fell from my eyes, I touched the glass of his isolette. My sleeping beauty lay there surrounded by wires and tubes and the muffled sounds of doubtful statistics and medical realism. My heart was so broken during that moment. He was living to me, but was dying to them....Read More

My Journey to Accepting My Autism

By Robyn Caple | Published on August 24, 2020 | 3 Minute Read

Hello, I am Robyn Caple, I am in my early twenties and live in the United Kingdom. I was diagnosed at a young age of having speech and language difficulties and mild Aspergers (now known as high functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder)...Read More

While We Teach Children How to Live, They Teach Us What Life Is...

By J. Sharada Ram | Published on August 20, 2020 | 5 Minute Read

Like any other woman, I was also waiting for the “Magical Day” in my life. My little angel “Sindhu” was born on August 16, 2000. One has to experience the happiness and joy of being a MOTHER. Words fall short to describe motherhood...Read More

Special Stories with ESN: Sudeepthi Manukonda - Societal Pressures as a Mother of an Autistic daughter

Interviewer: Meghana Repaka | Published on August 17, 2020 | 5 Minute Read

Meghana, one of our co-founders, had the pleasure of interviewing Sudeepthi Manukonda, an analyst in Connecticut. In her interview she talks about her journey as a mother of a daughter with autism. Read the article below to learn more about her journey and experiences!..Read More

Raising an Autism Warrior

By Marlene Tavares | Published on August 13, 2020 | 5 Minute Read

As a teacher with background experience working as an ECA in childcare, I was exposed many times to working with children with special needs. All my young, naive self could think at the time was "wow. Those poor parents! How do they do it?" Never did I imagine that one day; I too would become part of the Special Needs parenting community... Read More

Q and A with an Autism Mom

By Parm Bhullar | Published on August 10, 2020 | 3 Minute Read

My name is Parm and I work as an Emergency Medical Dispatcher. I also have my own blog where I share my experiences as a mother of a child with special needs. My son’s name is Avraj and he is 3 years old. Avraj happens to be on the Autism Spectrum. What makes Avraj special is his happy demeanour. Read More

Influencing the Understanding and Acceptance of Autism

By Roger Powell | Published on August 6, 2020 | 5 Minute Read

I am Roger Powell and I influence the understanding and acceptance of autism. I aspire to become a special education teacher and my advocacy work has been a whirlwind of collaborating with celebrities, organizing an award earning fundraising team, working with a non-profit organization, and running neurodiversity social media platforms. Read More.

Dreams Come True

By Alison Fogarty | Published on July 30, 2020 | 3 Minute Read

Have you ever had your dream come true? Did it make you feel like - WOW! I AM SO EXCITED!! Me too! I have had 3 BIG DREAMS come true for me; that is why I always tell people to DREAM BIG! The first big dream-come-true that happened to me is when I was 23 years old. To explain this, I have to start at the beginning. Read More

Noelle Smith: My Journey Through Autism and The Yogic Path

Interviewer: Thomas Mathew | Published on July 30, 2020 | 3 Minute Read

Hello, I am Noelle Smith and I am diagnosed with Autism, or also known as Asperger’s Syndrome. I’m a young woman who openly tells my story of trauma, changing the world to show that autism is a gift, and expressing self love through the art of yoga. Read More

My Life as an #Autism Mom

By Melinda Vasquez | Published on July 27, 2020 | 2 Minute Read

I can start from when I noticed a change or shift. After her MMR vaccine, she got a fever. Her first fever, in fact, so far after a vaccine. I didn’t think anything of it. She stopped dancing to the music we played. She became more reserved. Please do not misconstrue what my point is to this beginning. I don’t believe vaccines cause autism. Her most obvious personality changes that I can recall occurred during that time. Read More

Raising my son, Giaci

By Rita Miceli | Published on July 23, 2020 | 2 Minute Read

Raising a child with Autism was not what I imagined for myself when I walked down the aisle over 27 years ago. The thought had never crossed my mind that the children of two well-educated people would be anything other than above average. And, at first, it seemed as though it would be that way. Read More

My Experience Volunteering at Santa Clara TRS

By Thomas Mathew | Published on July 20, 2020 | 3 Minute Read

Over the past few months, I have been volunteering at the City of Santa Clara Therapeutic Recreation Services. I chose to volunteer here because at my middle school we had a special education program and through this program, I gained an interest in helping kids with special needs. Read More

Special Stories with ESN: Anita Miron - Navigating Life as a Mom of Kids with Special Needs

Interviewer: Meghana Repaka | Published on July 16, 2020 | 8 Minute Read

Meghana Repaka, one of our founders, had the pleasure of interviewing Anita Miron, a social media influencer, a business owner, and a mother of two children with special needs. Read the article to learn more about her journey and experiences!

Mental Health in Autism Families: The Unspoken Reality

By Varshini Raaj | Published on July 13, 2020 | 3 Minute Read

Hi, this is Varshini Raaj, I live in Mumbai, India, and I have an autistic brother who is pretty worse in the spectrum. For those who might not fully know what autism is, autism by definition is a a serious developmental disorder that impairs the ability to communicate and interact. Read More

How Our Lives Changed Forever

By Carla McManus | Published on July 10, 2020 | 6 Minute Read

On the 9th of October 2018 at 9.20pm our little bundle of joy arrived into the world. Ten tiny fingers, ten tiny toes, she was perfect, a dream come true. I will never forget that first hug, her big lips, beading eyes and of course the sweetest baby scent. Read More