It is clear you are a wonderful mother. We all just want to be seen and understood and not alone and you've given F this from a very early age - a lot of people never feel this way in life or don't get to experience it until much older. Bravo, Kathryn. You're giving him the best possible start. And what more do we want for our children?
Holly, your words truly touched me—thank you so much! I completely agree that at the heart of it, we all just want to be seen and understood, and I feel so fortunate to be able to offer that to F as he grows. I’m doing my best, and while it can be challenging, knowing that he's feeling supported and seen makes it all worth it.
Your kindness means a lot to me, and I’m so grateful for your encouragement. We really do just want the best for our kids, and it’s amazing how much love and understanding can shape their journey. Thank you again!
My mom and teacher endorphins are releasing 🥹. Kathryn you are a wonderful mother. F is getting raised by the gentlest hands. Albert Einstein is always the 1st reference I use when parents start losing their cool receiving this news. Like hello?! You birthed a genius 💙
Hi Candice! Thank you for your sweet message! It truly warms my heart to hear that. I love the reminder about Einstein—such a great perspective! I’m so grateful to be on this journey with F and to have such supportive friends like you cheering us on. Your kind words mean the world to me! 💙 I am certain you are an incredible mom and teacher and you will be helping so many children and their parents with your understanding, kindness and wisdom x
This is such a touching tale, and I just want to share the perspective of a teacher here. As an EFL teacher, we have our share of classroom management issues when teaching 7-10 year olds, but we're not experts and not qualified to offer any 'diagnoses', but for those of us who have studied a lot about child development and are more experienced with these matters, we do wonder. The frustrating thing is, because of so much cultural stigma where I used to teach (Ukraine), parents would rarely entertain the notion that there was anything 'wrong' with their child. The way children with autism and other disabilities are treated is poor in much of Eastern Europe (to generalise) and much of it is down to lack of awareness and the fear over being stigmatised. From a teacher's point of view, this was sad in so many ways - more than anything, these poor kids weren't going to get the support they needed and I just feared for them as they continued along in school at the mercy of the system (and, let's face it, sceptical teachers and uncooperative classmates).
It's so empowering to hear your experience and your attitude towards it, and I just wish more parents would be so open-minded and positive about this. More than anything, for their children's sake.
Thank you so much, Daniel, for sharing your perspective as a teacher! It really highlights the global challenges around autism awareness and the impact of stigma, especially in areas where resources or understanding are lacking. I can only imagine how tough it must be to see kids who would thrive with the right support not getting what they need, both in and out of the classroom.
It’s heartbreaking that stigma keeps so many children from accessing help that could make such a difference in their development and well-being. I think open-mindedness and embracing neurodiversity is so important—like you said, it's for the sake of the kids. Hopefully, through conversations like these, we can keep pushing for more awareness and acceptance, no matter where we are in the world.
I really appreciate your kind words and the work you’re doing as a teacher to make a difference.
This touched me deeply. F is lucky to have you as his mom, you are healing an entire generation by embodying the values and aspirations you are. My inner child tells me you are even softening her wounding, in a strange way.
Thank you for sharing with us, the important act of your words is bigger than you probably think.
Issa, your comment moved me so much—thank you for sharing that with me. I’m truly honored that my words resonated with you on such a deep level. It’s incredible how our stories can connect in ways we don’t always expect, and knowing that it spoke to your inner child is such a powerful and beautiful thing.
Your kindness reminds me how important it is to share these experiences, not just for F, but for others who might feel less alone because of it. Thank you for that reminder and for your thoughtful words. It means more than you know.
Thank you for sharing this absolutely beautiful and intimate piece with us, Kathryn. It will help make the world a better place not only for you and your son, but for all of us.
Hi Mahdi! Thank you so much for your kind words! I really appreciate you taking the time to read my piece. It means a lot to me that you found it beautiful and meaningful. I truly believe that sharing our stories can create a positive impact for everyone. Thanks for being a part of this journey x
Thank you so much! I’m glad you enjoyed my perspective. It’s been a journey of learning and love, and I’m happy to share it with others. Your support means a lot! 💕
I would love to hear more as you reflect back or as you move forward. I am in a similar situation and your perspective felt very grounded and empowering 🙏🏻💕
Thank you so much, Cassidy! I’m really glad you enjoyed it! Writing about my experiences with F brings me so much joy, and it means a lot to know he’s appreciated. Your support truly lifts my spirits! 😊
Screw the rulebook. You're raising a kid who doesn’t fit in their boxes. Keep pushing through the noise. You've got this, even when it feels like the world’s whispering that you don’t. I see you.
Thanks so much, George! I really appreciate your support and perspective. It’s so important to embrace our unique journey, and your words remind me to keep pushing forward. I’m grateful to have people like you cheering us on!
Thanks so much, Mike! I really appreciate your kind words. It’s all about love and understanding, right? I feel so lucky to be F’s Mum, and it’s great to have support from you!
My child was diagnosed prior to the age of 2. He’s grown up with the autism label. The best explanation I’ve been able to give him when he asks is “It means you learn differently. Things that are hard for other people are easier for you, and things that are easy for others are sometimes not so easy for you.”
Kathryn this made me tear up, it's so beautifully written and the love you have for your son radiates through your words. I'm so pleased you finally got some clarity for him!
It is clear you are a wonderful mother. We all just want to be seen and understood and not alone and you've given F this from a very early age - a lot of people never feel this way in life or don't get to experience it until much older. Bravo, Kathryn. You're giving him the best possible start. And what more do we want for our children?
Holly, your words truly touched me—thank you so much! I completely agree that at the heart of it, we all just want to be seen and understood, and I feel so fortunate to be able to offer that to F as he grows. I’m doing my best, and while it can be challenging, knowing that he's feeling supported and seen makes it all worth it.
Your kindness means a lot to me, and I’m so grateful for your encouragement. We really do just want the best for our kids, and it’s amazing how much love and understanding can shape their journey. Thank you again!
You are very welcome.
My mom and teacher endorphins are releasing 🥹. Kathryn you are a wonderful mother. F is getting raised by the gentlest hands. Albert Einstein is always the 1st reference I use when parents start losing their cool receiving this news. Like hello?! You birthed a genius 💙
Hi Candice! Thank you for your sweet message! It truly warms my heart to hear that. I love the reminder about Einstein—such a great perspective! I’m so grateful to be on this journey with F and to have such supportive friends like you cheering us on. Your kind words mean the world to me! 💙 I am certain you are an incredible mom and teacher and you will be helping so many children and their parents with your understanding, kindness and wisdom x
This is such a touching tale, and I just want to share the perspective of a teacher here. As an EFL teacher, we have our share of classroom management issues when teaching 7-10 year olds, but we're not experts and not qualified to offer any 'diagnoses', but for those of us who have studied a lot about child development and are more experienced with these matters, we do wonder. The frustrating thing is, because of so much cultural stigma where I used to teach (Ukraine), parents would rarely entertain the notion that there was anything 'wrong' with their child. The way children with autism and other disabilities are treated is poor in much of Eastern Europe (to generalise) and much of it is down to lack of awareness and the fear over being stigmatised. From a teacher's point of view, this was sad in so many ways - more than anything, these poor kids weren't going to get the support they needed and I just feared for them as they continued along in school at the mercy of the system (and, let's face it, sceptical teachers and uncooperative classmates).
It's so empowering to hear your experience and your attitude towards it, and I just wish more parents would be so open-minded and positive about this. More than anything, for their children's sake.
Thank you so much, Daniel, for sharing your perspective as a teacher! It really highlights the global challenges around autism awareness and the impact of stigma, especially in areas where resources or understanding are lacking. I can only imagine how tough it must be to see kids who would thrive with the right support not getting what they need, both in and out of the classroom.
It’s heartbreaking that stigma keeps so many children from accessing help that could make such a difference in their development and well-being. I think open-mindedness and embracing neurodiversity is so important—like you said, it's for the sake of the kids. Hopefully, through conversations like these, we can keep pushing for more awareness and acceptance, no matter where we are in the world.
I really appreciate your kind words and the work you’re doing as a teacher to make a difference.
This touched me deeply. F is lucky to have you as his mom, you are healing an entire generation by embodying the values and aspirations you are. My inner child tells me you are even softening her wounding, in a strange way.
Thank you for sharing with us, the important act of your words is bigger than you probably think.
Issa, your comment moved me so much—thank you for sharing that with me. I’m truly honored that my words resonated with you on such a deep level. It’s incredible how our stories can connect in ways we don’t always expect, and knowing that it spoke to your inner child is such a powerful and beautiful thing.
Your kindness reminds me how important it is to share these experiences, not just for F, but for others who might feel less alone because of it. Thank you for that reminder and for your thoughtful words. It means more than you know.
Thank you for sharing this absolutely beautiful and intimate piece with us, Kathryn. It will help make the world a better place not only for you and your son, but for all of us.
Hi Mahdi! Thank you so much for your kind words! I really appreciate you taking the time to read my piece. It means a lot to me that you found it beautiful and meaningful. I truly believe that sharing our stories can create a positive impact for everyone. Thanks for being a part of this journey x
Thank you for sharing this. Love your perspective on the experience. 💕
Thank you so much! I’m glad you enjoyed my perspective. It’s been a journey of learning and love, and I’m happy to share it with others. Your support means a lot! 💕
I would love to hear more as you reflect back or as you move forward. I am in a similar situation and your perspective felt very grounded and empowering 🙏🏻💕
Aww, I loved your writing! Such a heartfelt read and F is truly grateful to have you as his mother! Such a good article!
Thank you so much, Cassidy! I’m really glad you enjoyed it! Writing about my experiences with F brings me so much joy, and it means a lot to know he’s appreciated. Your support truly lifts my spirits! 😊
Screw the rulebook. You're raising a kid who doesn’t fit in their boxes. Keep pushing through the noise. You've got this, even when it feels like the world’s whispering that you don’t. I see you.
Thanks so much, George! I really appreciate your support and perspective. It’s so important to embrace our unique journey, and your words remind me to keep pushing forward. I’m grateful to have people like you cheering us on!
This is such a powerful and beautiful read. To me, it points at compassion, understanding, patience, and love. He’s lucky to have you as his mom!
Thanks so much, Mike! I really appreciate your kind words. It’s all about love and understanding, right? I feel so lucky to be F’s Mum, and it’s great to have support from you!
Learn how to reverse vaccine-induced autism in my podcast here:
https://soberchristiangentlemanpodcast.substack.com/p/s2-ep-5-autism-vaccine-injury-my-81d
My child was diagnosed prior to the age of 2. He’s grown up with the autism label. The best explanation I’ve been able to give him when he asks is “It means you learn differently. Things that are hard for other people are easier for you, and things that are easy for others are sometimes not so easy for you.”
Kathryn this made me tear up, it's so beautifully written and the love you have for your son radiates through your words. I'm so pleased you finally got some clarity for him!