The Bright Side of Autism

Did you know that there's a bright side to having a family member with autism?
Well, there is.
A big one, actually.

Most of the stories we read online and in the news, are about the hard parts. There's a reason for that. Sometimes the struggles of parenting a child with autism teach us difficult lessons, and sharing those lessons with others can help us to find meaning in our trials. Sometimes we just need to get it off our chest. And sometimes, we're trying to help you - the person on the outside - understand us, the people in the trenches. Because, if you understand, you can help your own children understand, and bit-by-bit, the world gets easier for my son to navigate.

Education leads to some incredible things. Invitations to birthday parties. Inclusion in the games on the playground. Compassionate hugs instead of dirty looks. Helping hands instead of empty words. It leads to advocacy. It leads to treatment. It leads to answers.

And we need answers.
1 in 68 children born this year will have autism.
3.5 million people in the United States have autism, and that number is growing.
That's a lot of people.
That's a lot of parents of people.
That's a lot of people caring for people.
That means, it's very likely, that every person will eventually be effected by autism in one way or another. Including you.

That's why April is autism awareness month. That's why today, my family is lighting it up blue - to show our support for our children, family members, friends, and neighbors who have autism.

This post though, is not about the hard parts. Those posts are for another time. This post is for me to celebrate my incredible, unique, brilliant son, Clyde - who happens to have autism. This post is for the good parts - the bright parts - and this is what they look like.

Family and Friends

Harker Family 2014

Grandpa and Grandma McNair's with Cousins

Terrific Teachers

Clyde and Miss Gwen

Mrs. K. (Michelle Keitzke) and Clyde

Miss Jelly & Class on "Clyde" Day

Mrs. McCann and Clyde

Fantastic Fun!

Bouncy Fun

Rock Wall at IFG

Mt. Rushmore

Swimming with Henry

Mattress Surfing

Sledding in Idaho

So. Many. Letters.

The Real Life Chicka Chicka Boom Boom Tree

4 Years Old

The Perfect Alphabet

Alphabet Puzzle

Letter Calisthenics (X & N)

Even. More. Dominoes.

The Great Domino Tower

A Different Way to See the World

Apples at Grandpa and Grandma Harkers

Can Tower - age three

Dentists office - 2015

A Few of Clyde's Favorite Things - Rice, Snuggly Blanket, Dominoes, Reading

Guard the Toilet Tough Guys

Phew - Perfectly Organized

Only Clyde Can Dwell Within

The Bright Side, My Son Clyde

First Day of School

Leaves

Our Friend Julian - the Gentle Santa, and Clyde

Working Hard

Easter 2013

Fries - The Favorite

Sensory Tub Time!

Steve or Clyde?

Toughies

Clyde is one-of-a-kind. There's no one else on earth quite like him. He has autism, and that means he sees world in a different way. He thinks differently too - and those differences should be celebrated. Clyde's mind is constantly expanding in new and incredible directions. He views things through a different lens, so he's able to see things in a we can't. I rejoice in his strengths and his small triumphs because they are so hard won. He is courageous in ways I am only now just beginning to understand. He is an incredible person. There are some hard parts to autism, but alongside the hard parts, there's an incredible cord of brilliance and spirit the runs parallel to the struggle. I see that light in him every single day. 

That's the bright side of autism.

I wouldn't trade it for anything.