Happily Ever Autism

28/09/2025

✨Happy National Son’s Day to my angel on earth! ✨

Ethan, I looked up the definition of pure love and saw your name there. 🤗 Thank you for showing us how to just love and not judge. Your happiness and joy radiates and brings healing to anyone who crosses paths with you.

The world will tell you that you have disabilities, but oh contraire mon frere! I say you have different abilities and a special uniqueness of qualities that the world needs now more than ever. And boy oh boy, even in your silence, can people learn so much from you if they have the heart to feel it. 🧡

you are my sonshine…🎵🎵☀️
🧡

14/09/2025

I found myself standing in tears—tears of fear, hope, and joy all at once that one day Ethan came home from school.

Ethan looked at me, confused and curious, asking, “Mom, why are you crying?” And in that moment, I couldn’t even explain. Because what had just happened was so much bigger than a simple action.

We’d been working for months on something that seems so small to most people: first learning HOW to use a key to unlock the door (that hand movement can be difficult for a child that has muscle weakness in their hands), to progressing to conversations of WHY and WHEN  to unlock the door. For Ethan, this was not small. It was a step toward independence, a test of trust, and a milestone that only a parent walking this unique road could truly understand.

As I stood hidden, watching him come home and face a locked door for the first time, every motherly instinct told me to open it. To rescue him. To spare him confusion. But I didn’t. I waited. I let him figure it out.

And then I heard it—knock, knock, knock.
I froze. My heart ached. Everything in me wanted to run and open that door. Again—knock, knock, knock. And then again, even louder. He was asking for help the only way he knew how, and I was just on the other side, silently crying, whispering to myself, “Don’t open it. Let him try.”

Finally, after what felt like an eternity of silence, came the sound I will never forget: the keys jingling. The lock turning. The door opening. And in he walked, smiling, as if it was no big deal.

But for me? It was everything.

That moment reminded me that progress doesn’t always come in leaps. Sometimes it comes in the quiet click of a door unlocking—or even in the knocking that comes before it. A reminder that hope is alive, growth is happening, and that independence, while scary, is possible.

Ethan may never realize the depth of what he accomplished yesterday. But I will never forget it.

✨ For him, it was normal.
✨ For me, it was a victory.
✨ For us, it was everything.

🧡

💫💫💫💫💫💫💫💫💫
🧡🧡 Note:  this post was a reflection from a day nine years ago, hoping you find inspiration in it to walk through any fear you may be facing with your child. ✨

08/05/2025

Making you happy makes me happy. ❤️ Happy Birthday E! 🎂🎈

04/05/2025

Hi 👋 for those that don’t know me…I'm Dr. Rebecca Delaney.

For over 20 years, I’ve been on this autism journey with my amazing son, Ethan, who is now 23. What started as advocating for him as a mom grew into a lifelong mission—personally and professionally—to support individuals and families in the autism community.

Ethan’s progress has been nothing short of incredible. Through functional medicine, targeted supplementation, and a deep focus on the gut-brain-immune system connection, I’ve watched him grow from being non-verbal to verbal—and so much more. Every step of the way, I’ve researched, learned, and applied what I could to help him thrive, including supporting him through two enriching years in non-degree college programs at Kent State and Bowling Green State University for adults with intellectual disabilities.

Professionally, I continue to educate and consult holistic and bio-medical modalities through Happily Ever Autism LLC. For the past three years, I also brought and spearheaded the Summer Youth Work Program for children with disabilities at my workplace, as well as mentor families through the Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities Works4Me program, helping them navigate employment options for individuals with disabilities.

I also engage in public speaking for the autism community, sharing Ethan’s story to offer hope, build bridges, and remind others that acceptance and faith will always go further than fear. Although parenting may not have turned out as we anticipated or expected, we can choose to bring happiness into our journey. There is so much possibility out there—and I’m here to help others see it too.

Happily Ever Autism 🧡

04/05/2025

Welcome to Our Page! 🧡

For those who are new here, Ethan and I want to say a big hello and thank you for joining us and being part of our journey!
🧡
Our hope and prayer is that by sharing our experiences, we can educate, inspire, and empower others walking a similar path. From Ethan’s initial diagnosis and being completely nonverbal, to becoming verbal and thriving—including completing two years of collegiate-level education—his growth has been incredible.
🧡
We’ve overcome many challenges and continue to seek new perspectives from different summits ⛰️ in life. By sharing Ethan’s story, we hope to be a source of support and encouragement to others.
🧡
Yesterday, we were honored to be invited to speak again, this time at our city’s public school system and the county’s developmental disabilities organization's Transition Fair. It was a great day! As a bonus, we also got to stop by the venue’s gift shop and add another LeBron James bobblehead to Ethan’s collection.
🧡

12/03/2025

As Ethan has gone through different stages and different ages, I always purposely and consciously looked for opportunities and experiences to help him continue to grow and develop further.  Below is an article I wrote from an experience I’ve had when he was in his early youth years, and as I read it and look back upon that time, it  remind me just how far he’s come.
🧡
But at the time what seemed insurmountable became surmountable. Not only was it an opportunity for him to grow outside his own box, but it was also opportunities for me to grow outside my own box of fear and possibility for him.  We havFinding Cooper's Voiceneyed together, with me right beside him, growing along the way. It’s been such an evolving and learning journey for me.
🧡
Finding Coopers Voice published the article below that I wrote, and I share it with you, to help any momma, father, or caregiver going through something similar. To give you hope where there is fear, love where there is sadness, and possibilty where there seems impossiblity.  I had to walk through my own fear sometimes to help my son grow. So,  keep going and keep growing! 🧡xoxo


https://www.findingcoopersvoice.com/2018/03/11/releasing-my-doubts-and-fears/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3jdDW6dSSJchloBqCSB7sS9wTRRqM06uP3Hvjpj5ARm-OxVrU8SL141ZU_aem_Up3odR9fP4CzmquA3Ax_jQ&deeplink_ref_surface=instagram_direct&direct_share_include_copy=1&fb_entity_type=unknown

I know that these are my fears, not his. Fears that I know all mothers can relate to, but especially those mothers of autistic children.

02/02/2025

Hello Parents/Peers/Caregivers!

If you’ve read my page and Ethan’s story, you’ll know the great success I’ve had with my autistic son who was completely non-verbal and had great results and became verbal through the functional medicine and supplementation approach, specially with an immune system supplement.
🧡
It wasn’t a quick fix, but he began speaking within 90 days of these modalities and continued to grow, with many of his autistic symptoms reversing through this process. Along with this focused intent and with patience, perseverance, and consistency, I was able to help change the outcome of his diagnosed, expected path in life.
🧡
I’ve studied the microbiome for years (why this page is about the gut, brain, immune system connection) and had the honor to study under Dr. Hyman’s functional medicine team at the Cleveland Clinic Center for Functional Medicine, and continue to stay connected to any new studies and research in all areas relating to autism. I received an email about an upcoming webinar. I looked and could not and find any marketed piece to share, except through this email. So I am attaching the pictures for more information if you are interested in the topic and attending this webinar, I am happy to email you the registration link - DM me and I will forward you the email. Happy to share!! 😊
🧡

04/12/2024

BEST.SOUND.EVER 🎵🎶🎵

🧡

29/10/2024

🧡🧡🧡

13/09/2024

“There is purpose in your journey”the soft whisper said…..
I heard that whisper many times before in my heart. I pay attention. That inside voice leading me, guiding me. You know that voice, don’t you?
And if you don’t, just be still and listen. Silence is not empty, it’s full of answers.
✨
Today was no different. That soft voice whispering again, “Are you beginning to see? You have sight, but are you beginning to SEE?”
✨
A profound full circle moment happened today for Ethan and I. My 3rd Keynote Speaker invite this year took place today and it happened to be at the very same place where Ethan spoke his first words - United Disability Services. UDS was also celebrating their 75th Anniversary with the message of “Still Shining Bright”.
✨
Many of you already know Ethan’s story and journey so far. Being in the very same place and visiting the very same room today where his first words were spoken, was priceless. If you would have told me 19 years ago, that I would be back in this very same spot again, to address 200 service-oriented employees and talk about my parental and professional advocacy and activism in the Autism world, and give an impactful speech to help inspire and uplift others, I wouldn’t have even been able to grasp that. I hadn’t even lived it yet. I hadn’t journeyed in those foot steps yet. Not only sharing Ethan’s story, but also being able to speak about Servant Leadership and the Servant’s Heart. A big business title or position in life does not = a true leader. The greatness of true servant leadership lies in the simplicity of small acts of love, compassion, kindness and service to others that we bring to the world everyday. I encouraged others to keep shining their light on those who have different-abilities (not disabilities) and those who face other kinds of challenges everyday.
✨ 
Those people in that room today had chosen a career of service and it was these very same kind of people who made a huge impact on Ethan‘s own journey along the way. To be able to share the message of hope, faith, belief and possibilities and to share Ethan’s story at the very same place where it all began was a blessing beyond words. Today, I sit in silence and am listening still. I’m in awe of this profound and powerful full circle moment for us today and am in reflection and so much gratitude. This was beyond me, beyond us, and I am so thankful to be its messenger.
My heart sings in joy and I’m just so very grateful to give back to places, people and organizations that have made a difference in our world. ✨🙏🏻❤️

10/04/2024

It’s wonderful to see Mark Hyman, MD bring more awareness through these discussions to this newer thought process and possibilities to learn about the gut, brain and immune system connection as it relates to Autism.
🔸
I say “newer” because a lot of the families I have consultations with haven’t heard of the concept of the gut, brain, and immune system connection. I was blessed to study Functional Medicine under his staff while Dr. Hyman was the Director of the Functional Medicine Center at Cleveland Clinic and it is my joy and inspiration to be able to educate and help other families with this information and teach them what I did for my son to reverse many of his autistic symptoms. Although not new to me as I’ve been researching, studying and living these concepts for over 18 years, I am grateful for these conversations, as it can be eye opening for others.
🔸
I will always say there is life-changing information in this knowledge! I know it certainly changed our lives forever, as it helped my son go from nonverbal to verbal and beyond. I am forever grateful for the paths that have been forged and for the enlightenment of this knowledge and the profound effect it brought to us on our personal journey with an Autism diagnosis.

connect🔸empower 🔸 transform

🧡

Get my FREE guide 3 Steps to Reverse Aging when you sign up for my weekly health picks 👉 https://bit.ly/IncreaseHealthspanView the Show Notes From This Epis...

09/04/2024

Fun Day Eclipsin’…..😂😎

🧡