Building life skills is one of the most essential and foundational aspects of our approach, taking precedence over traditional academics. Life skills equip him with the tools he needs to navigate the world confidently and independently, fostering resilience, adaptability, and self-reliance. These skills form the backbone of his overall development, helping him build the capacity to handle everyday challenges, interact meaningfully with others, and care for himself. That said, academic learning is still very much a part of our routine. We incorporate it in a way that complements and enhances life skills, rather than competing with them. Academics are woven into real-life contexts—whether through counting while cooking, learning vocabulary in the context of daily activities, or practicing reading and writing through activities that align with his interests. This balanced approach ensures he develops both practical skills and academic knowledge, providing a well-rounded foundation during his formative years. 📌Michael is growing into the young man he’s meant to become, with hopes that one day he’ll also be prepared to be a caring partner, husband, and father. Every lesson, skill, and value we instill now is with an eye toward his future—not only for his independence but also for his ability to nurture meaningful relationships and contribute positively to the lives of those around him. Despite the challenges he faces, our goal is to help him build a strong foundation of empathy, responsibility, and resilience—qualities that will serve him well in every area of his life, both personal and professional. 📔eBook on Joint Attention & collection of activities, link in BIO 🔗 📔[NEW] eBook on a collection of activities for Speech Exercises, link in BIO 🔗 #heartwarming #parenting #autism #nonverbal #nonspeaking #ASL #signlanguage #screentime #representationmatters #handsome #toddlermom #autismadvocate #autismparenting #inspiration #motivation #autismawareness

By learning to communicate on his terms, I’m discovering a deep level of understanding of communication, that doesn’t rely on spoken language. This shared, silent language has become a bridge between us, allowing me to truly see his personality, emotions, and intentions in ways I might have missed otherwise. Through this connection, I’m reminded that communication is about presence, patience, and the willingness to see the world as he does. 📌 Continued in Pinned Comment at the end of the 🎥 📔eBook on Joint Attention & collection of activities, link in BIO 🔗 📔[NEW] eBook on a collection of activities for Speech Exercises, link in BIO 🔗 #heartwarming #parenting #autism #nonverbal #nonspeaking #ASL #signlanguage #screentime #representationmatters #handsome #toddlermom #autismadvocate #autismparenting #inspiration #motivation #autismawareness

This year, we went trick-or-treating in our community. With Michael being one of only 4 children in the neighborhood, the entire community still came together to celebrate the children with warmth and kindness. It was heartwarming to see neighbors gathering to prepare special treats just for him too. I could see how much joy it brought him to be the center of attention this year, which truly emphasized the strong sense of community we share. This experience not only made Halloween memorable for Michael but also deepened our connections with our neighbors. I’m truly grateful for the support and camaraderie of our community. 📌Continued in Pinned Comment at the end of 🎬 📔eBook on Joint Attention & collection of activities, link in BIO 🔗 📔[NEW] eBook on a collection of activities for Speech Exercises, link in BIO 🔗 #heartwarming #parenting #autism #nonverbal #nonspeaking #ASL #signlanguage #representationmatters #handsome #toddlermom #autismadvocate #autismparenting #inspiration #motivation #autismawareness #progress #halloweencostume

It took nearly four years for him to grasp the ASL numbers 1-30, along with understanding their purpose and application. But in just three months, he taught himself numbers up to 999 — mainly by taking ‘screenshots’ of numbers he finds interesting (yes, he’s mastered that and printing from a printer from his iPad too). This was what helped him understand not only numbers — in the hundreds — but also letters, words, and what purpose they serve. 📌Continued in Pinned Comment at the end of the video 🎥 📔eBook on Joint Attention & collection of activities, link in BIO 🔗 📔[NEW] eBook on a collection of activities for Speech Exercises, link in BIO 🔗 #heartwarming #parenting #autism #nonverbal #nonspeaking #ASL #signlanguage #representationmatters #handsome #toddlermom #autismadvocate #autismparenting #inspiration #motivation #autismawareness #progress

Here’s a progress update on Michael’s speech and ASL finger spelling of the alphabet. He’s continuing to make strides in both areas, showing increased engagement during our spontaneous interactions. His speech progress is marked by clearer attempts at producing sounds and imitating simple words when prompted. As for ASL, he’s becoming more confident with finger spelling the alphabet, particularly focusing on familiar letters associated with his interests, like “J” for Jeep. He’s also starting to spontaneously initiate finger spelling for words that have meaning to him, like “TV” signaling a deeper connection to both forms of communication. While these advancements are gradual, they reflect significant growth in his willingness to engage and experiment with both spoken language and sign language, underscoring his developing ability to bridge the two. 📔eBook on Joint Attention & collection of activities, link in BIO 🔗 📔[NEW] eBook on a collection of activities for Speech Exercises, link in BIO 🔗 ⭐️Get an inside look at our unstructured interactions that blend education and therapy through intentional play, in our Mini-Vlogs on the IG Subscribers’ Page 👑. #education #parenting #autism #nonverbal #nonspeaking #ASL #signlanguage #representationmatters #handsome #toddlermom #autismadvocate #autismparenting #inspiration #motivation #autismawareness #homeschool #unschool #speech