04/23/2026
On this week's Thankful Thursday, we want to highlight the perspective of an Autism parent đź’™
Anthony’s Journey – A Parent Perspective
If you had asked me in 2018 where Anthony would be today, I never could have imagined this version of our life.
Back then, we were in survival mode—trying everything we could to help him succeed. We navigated public school, private school, and even semi-residential options, all in search of something that felt right. But the truth was, Anthony was struggling. He was overwhelmed, living in a constant state of fight-or-flight, and experiencing significant emotional dysregulation that sometimes turned into aggression.
As a parent, there is nothing more heartbreaking than watching your child suffer and feeling like you haven’t found the right way to help them yet.
And then one day, I trusted my gut.
I realized that I knew my child best. That didn’t mean I had all the answers—but it meant I needed to build the right team around him. That moment changed everything.
Anthony began multiple therapies in 2018, including ABA, private speech therapy and counseling. And when I say it took years to find the right combination of supports, people, and even medications—I truly mean years. There were setbacks, hard days, and moments where we questioned everything.
But we never stopped advocating.
Today, Anthony is about to turn 20, and has continued in therapy where the focus is on introspective mindfulness, emotional regulation, and coping strategies. Anthony has thrived while continuing to be who he is at his core.
Another lesson we’ve learned along the way is this: find your tribe. There are so many families walking a similar path—families who understand the victories, the setbacks, and everything in between. When you find those people, hold onto them. Learn from them. Lean on them. There is so much strength in community, even when it takes time to find it.
Choosing to homeschool Anthony was another pivotal moment for our family. It allowed us to remove him from an environment that kept him in a constant state of stress and instead introduce him to the world in a way that felt safe, supportive, and empowering. We made it a priority to get him involved in the community—through outings, activities, sports, volunteer opportunities—anything that would help him build connections and confidence beyond a traditional classroom setting.
And little by little…he did.
When Anthony was no longer just trying to survive, he began to truly live. And in that space, he grew into himself in ways we never imagined possible.
If I could offer one piece of advice to any parent on this journey, it would be this:
You know your child. Never stop advocating—not just about them, but for them as the individual they are.
And don’t be afraid to pivot. If something isn’t working, change it. There is no single path that works for every child.
Also, remember this—when people ask me about Anthony, I don’t start by saying “he has autism.”
I start by telling them who he is.
Anthony is funny.
He has a deep love for music and art.
He is loyal to the ends of the Earth.
He brings light, humor, and authenticity into every space he enters.
He is an incredible human being…who also happens to be on the spectrum.
To other families walking this path—on the days that feel heavy and the nights that feel long, hold onto hope. Growth doesn’t happen overnight. It takes time, patience, and more strength than you ever thought you had.
But it does happen.
And sometimes, it’s more beautiful than you ever imagined.
