04/16/2026
Autism Awareness Month 💙
This one’s personal and I've been debating on posting this, but after talking with other people, I've concluded its not a selfish act to share my experience and Jacks story.
My son Jack was diagnosed with autism around 2½ years old. It started with hand flapping and stimming, and honestly, I thought I was watching seizures. We went through multiple tests, appointments, and a whole lot of waiting… only to be handed a diagnosis and sent on our way.
No real guidance. No support. Just a piece of paper. I was angry, sad, scared, and very, very alone. This was only a few years into our move to VT, and I had just finally stabilized my mental health after what I would learn was post- partum depression. "There really isn't any supports groups" or " There's a woman you can call down in Brattleboro"... she sent me pamphlets. Yay!😒
Days after the diagnosis, part of me worried something bigger was being missed and that “autism” was just an easy answer. "Everyone has Autism nowadays" is what I angrily told myself. I called asking for second opinions and another Dartmouth referrel. They questioned me. Asked why I couldn't accept the diagnosis. They didn't offer me help or even do the referrals that I requested. I marinated in it for a few more days, crying, googling, watching youtube videos, and reading. So much reading. I did what most moms do, I dove in headfirst. I learned everything I could, and slowly realized… that diagnosis was right.
From there, things shifted. I stopped fighting it and started advocating for him, hard. Compiling information and in my pragmatic nature, I put my feelings aside and made a plan. I was scared of the prescriptions they would try to put him on if his symptoms or behavior progressed in a negative way. Therefore, I chose a more natural route, and through a lot of trial and error found things that truly helped him thrive. B12, methylated supplements, specific probiotics strains that support Autism, and being really mindful about food ingredients (yes… those red dyes matter). Jack literally loses control of himself like he's drunk if he has a red slushy.
Has it been perfect? Nope.
He’s dealt with illness, asthma, ARFID, sensory issues,and the ups and downs that can come with autism, especially those big mood bursts.
But here’s the truth…
I wouldn’t change a thing.
Jack is the funniest, kindest, most uniquely awesome kid I know, and honestly, he’s a lot like me. Chris and Lillian think we're nuts, but im so glad he can share the fart jokes and belly laughs with his mom lol. I admire how he speaks his mind without overthinking it. It’s something I think a lot of us forget how to do. Be genuine, be yourself. Live life and laugh hard.
Of course I worry. I worry about him now, about his future, and about what would happen if I wasn’t around. That’s a reality a lot of parents don’t talk about, but it’s there. I won't get too into this, because it brings tears of fears.
If you see him with me at markets (he LOVES everything Thompson Hollow), just know he might stim, he might get a little chatty in the most unexpected way, or he might just go in for a hug like you’ve been best friends forever. This is mainly towards elderly woman, whom he seems to favor.
And I want everyone to know, I’m sharing this not as a “feel bad for me” story, or jumping on some trendy thing that happens 1x a year. I share it because I know someone else might be in that same overwhelming, lonely place I was. I know there's other posts like this, or pages for support, but they can be overwhelming and sometimes seem disingenuous.
Just know, there are ways to support your kids. Herbs and a healthy lifestyle can most definitely make a huge difference! Trust me, we know when Jack didn't take his vitamin that day!
There is hope. And there is so much beauty in seeing the world the way they do 💙
I ask that you please teach your kids to be kind. To be open-minded. To understand that not everyone communicates or experiences the world the same way, and that’s okay! My own daughter gets frustrated with her brother and other autistic peers at school. Explaining, educating and discussing people's differences will bring awareness, and will make the world a better place if they practice what you preach. Autistic children and adults tend to get bullied, and it hurts...everyone. Lets work on that!
Lastly, I want to throw this out there, if you’ve been through something similar, want suggestions on supplements, vitamins, whatever, send me a message. Im an open book and if I can help someone avoid how I felt, i'm always willing to lend an ear and support you to the best of my abilities ❤️
Thanks for reading if you've made it this far! 😉
