Happy Autism Awareness Day

April in Autism Awareness Month.  In honor of Chase, my 1:68, I want to share this post and the let world know what Autism looks like to me...

BEAUTIFUL.  A true gift from God - Chase has taught me, and everyone who's lives he touches, soooo much about inner beauty and strength.  Autism doesn't have a "look".  Every child on the spectrum is so different and so unique and so BEAUTIFUL in their own special way!

STRONG.  Chase is the STRONGEST person I know!  Hands down.  He overcomes so much on a daily basis that it never ceases to amaze me what he is capable of doing!  The language delays alone provide serious hurdles that he manages to jump over daily and he perseveres with a smile on his face 99% of the time!

LOVING.  Chase's LOVE is so big!  You read a lot of times about children with Autism not liking to be touched or hugged, or that they aren't emotional or loving...NOT CHASE!  He craves hugs.  Partly due to sensory, but mainly due to his big heart!  Chase is a pleaser.  He wants to do right and seeks approval from us and his teachers and therapists.  Hugs are often times a reward to him, and they are AMAZING hugs!  ***Side note:  Last week I was having a bad day.  It was the 2nd week of spring break and they boys were driving me crazy.  It was one of "those" days.  I just sat down on the couch and started crying.  I was at my wits end.  I looked up and noticed Chase watching me.  Then he came up to me, put his hand on my head and kissed me on the forehead, and then on the cheek.  It was the sweetest, most tender moment.  I will remember it and cherish it forever, because in that instant I realized that this is life and at the end of the day, even a hard day, my boys love me, and I love them.

SMART.  Behind Chase's silent smile is a very SMART brain! :)  This child simply amazes me every day with the things he knows and the way he is able to manipulate us in to doing what he wants.  He knows EXACTLY what he wants and when he wants it and figures out ways to get what he wants!  Don't let the silence or lack of words fool you.  He is way smarter than anyone gives him credit for and one day it is going to catch up with all of us!

STUBBORN/STRONG WILLED.  Along with being smart comes Chase's STUBBORNNESS.  I count this as an attribute because he is very strong-willed when it comes to getting what he wants and I think this will get him far in life.  He does things when HE is ready to do them and I know this isn't always a positive thing, but it makes him, him; and it's a characteristic that can be positive when used in the right ways in life!  Due to his lack of speech this characteristic is vital sometimes in him getting the things he wants and needs. 

SPECIAL.  I don't mean "special" like "special needs".  I mean SPECIAL.  Chase was put on this Earth to teach.  He teaches me more every day than I could have ever learned in college.  He teaches everyone in his life something every day.  It's always something different, but it's always something special.  He has taught me to have deeper FAITH.  Faith that God has a plan in all of this and to seek out that plan on a daily basis.  He has taught me a different kind of love.  A deeper love than I ever imagined possible.  He has taught me patience and perseverance even when I didn't want to learn those things.  He has taught me never to judge anyone, because you never know another person's circumstances.  He has taught me empathy and acceptance.  

We are all God's children.  We are all special and unique in our own ways.  And today I am honoring Chase and the light he shines in to our daily lives!