April is Autism Awareness Month

I am a photographer, but always a mother first...my sons each have an autism diagnosis.  Currently every year 1 in 68 children are diagnosed on the spectrum; that is a 100% increase in five years.  Some say it's over diagnoses but if you met my boys (both only partially verbal) you wouldn't say that.  Brushing it under the rug, ignoring it, pretending that it doesn't affect you is not responsible considering the vast growth.  There is in fact NO known cause which means there is no cure.

My sons had had so many limitations foisted on them from the beginning that I look back and am grateful that I told the public schools at the time to stuff it.  I was originally told they would never be potty-trained, speak, or function properly in this world.  They do all three (although speech is a struggle after not receiving appropriate intervention in public schools).  

My oldest son loves his photos taken (the youngest not so much; they are extremely diverse.  All they have in common are red hair and an autism diagnosis).  Anyways, my oldest has recently expressed that he wants to model possibly.  Even though my initial reaction was to try to keep him

From it I realize it would be a great disservice to him.  I never want to put limitations on a potential we cannot know for sure it will be.  I always hope my sons know that I will move heaven and earth to give them what they want and support them in their endeavors.  This could be nothing or everything for Seamus, but we never know unless I let him take those steps.

Life is about growing up and falling down a few times along the way...but sometimes we don't fall; we fly.  I will be adding this link to the album I will share on social media and I am nervous as my son spreads his wings.