Autism Is My Life It Is What Defines Me

The other day, someone had asked me what autism meant to me. Without waiting a moment to respond to the question, I said, “It’s my life.”

For some people, their life is their career, something they created , their family, or a relationship they are currently in. For me personally, if anything that presently defines me, it is my life with my two boys, who are challenged by autism.

My life is unique; sometimes, I must remind myself of that.

Yes, the stakes are very high in my situation, and sometimes acceptance can be hard to come by. I am not this super dad. I had to learn to adapt to the changes.

There is an enormous responsibility to keep things above water when changes transpire, but at the same time, there is uncertainty and fear.

My two boys, Matthew and Aidan, will soon no longer be autistic teenagers but autistic adults. This brings forth a new set of challenges, and one could easily say I am venturing into unchartered territory.

Numerous questions run through me as I enter into new phases in the foreseeable future.

As I grow older, will I still be able to provide for the boy’s needs at the level that I am now?

How will I be able to handle the unexpected challenges on my own?

Can I find the proper support for them when there is a significant shortage of caregivers?

Will I find the right opportunities for them when those choices are limited?

I have been through a few life changes with my two boys, and I know adulthood will be another one for them. While I feel I have done a decent job for what I have done in the last few years, and I hope it continues.

There is an old saying in the autism community, and that is autism doesn’t end at 18; it is life-long. That is a very true statement.

This is why autism defines me.