Homestyle Mama: What Autistic Looks Like To Me...

This is my son Alex

Alex has Severe Autism

This is Alex's Sister

Sister is a Child With a Developmental Delay waiting on a diagnosis of PDD.

This is Bam

Bam is a Child With a Developmental Delay and failure to thrive.

This is Ally

Ally has NVLD.

This is Joshman

Josh has Severe Autism

Alex, Sister, Bam, Ally and Josh are what "autistic" looks like to me. Brilliant in their own right, bright stars who refuse to be dimmed, loving, sweet, happy, adorable children who just want to be loved and accepted as they are- same as anyone else. They have their challenges, they have their struggles but they fight on through to the next day. and the next day. and the next day. Never letting the struggles or the challenges define who they want to be. who they are.

In my world, being Autistic is not a bad thing. Not an insult. "Looking" autistic is not to be equated with looking like a fool. There is nothing "foolish" or "stupid" about these beautiful children.

This post originally appeared on on Homestyle Mama (with a side of Autism) and was republished here with permission.