A.S.D.

The term ASD has recently entered our lives and although we have yet to completely understand what we are dealing with, we have been introduced to the ways it effects our youngest son and the life he will live going forward. We have been introduced to gluten-free everything as a need not a choice. And finding new ways to assist with sleeping, necessary not only for the child but his parents. We have adjusted the way we handle discipline and the activities of our day. We have been introduced to the process of Diagnoses and evaluation after evaluation of a 4 year old who until 2 months ago just enjoyed playing with his toys.

Things in his life we never attributed to ASD have been present for the past 4 years. Then a conversation with his Pediatrician spur the constant thoughts in my mind. "Why did we not talk about this a year ago? We have we only begun this process now?" My response, because up until recently I just saw my little boy.

ASD has not changed his laughter or his tender heart. It has not made him less cuddly or enjoyable to be around. He is still our carefree Bryce. ASD is not like cancer in the sense of when discovered it has come out of the blue with no warn, Rather it makes you realize that most of the signs have been present from a very early age.

I am not out to cure my son, that is not a possible outcome. Rather I am here to help my son cope in a world that wishes he was "normal" Truthfully, Bryce is normal. Bryce is who God made him to be. He knit my son in my womb knowing the number of his days and trials he would face. There is nothing new under the sun and there is nothing new in Bryce.

I am not going to say there was not a sadness that fell over my heart or the thoughts of "what did I do to cause this" So much is unknown about Autism that it is easy for a parent to blame themselves. But in the end it does not make me love him less but rather reminds me to be excited about even the little things, something I should be anyway for both of my kids. And it reminds me to stay calm and ask questions to help my son understand his environment. Bryce's life will not be cut short nor will the quality be effected, it's really just about thinking outside the box. This little boy blesses us with a simplicity most of us wish we had. So if and when you see our Bryce or another child who is not like all the others, instead of looking at what is different, find the super power they posses. Bryce's super powers are his contagious laughter and whit and his encouraging spirit that will yell "Good job you did it!" to any victory he witnesses. We are learn to look at things and see how God has blessed us in what others may consider a trial.