EPISODE 15: Today, we're diving into a topic that I've shied away from discussing for far too long. It's a topic that elicits strong emotions, heated debates, and carries a weight of history and trauma. Yes, we're talking about autism.As parents raising autistic children, we understand the complexities surrounding autism. We know the struggles, the victories, and the importance of creating a safe and supportive environment for our kids to thrive. And that's what we want to share with you today.I want to emphasize that this is our personal perspective based on our own experiences and our work with other parents navigating the world of autism. We're not here to fix, change, or cure our children. Our intention is to help you become the parent you want to be for your unique child.This episode marks a significant step for us, as we open up about our experiences and shed light on the challenges and breakthroughs we've encountered. We'll be sharing our own story before and after our oldest son received his autism diagnosis at the age of 11. This is just the beginning of a series where we'll delve deeper into this topic, providing resources and insights to support you on your own journey.Our aim is to foster an open dialogue and create a safe space where you can ask questions, share concerns, and learn from one another. We want to empower you to have those important conversations, even if you're unsure about finding the right words.So, join us as we break the silence about autism. Let's embark on this path of understanding, support, and celebration of our children's unique potential. Tune in now!Key Takeaways:Today’s topic - autism (00:00)Talking about autism without fear (02:48)The intention of this episode (08:07)Dayna and Jason’s approaches to fear and misunderstanding of autism (08:45)Our oldest wasn’t diagnosed with autism until he was 11 (20:06)At the time of diagnosis, we were at a really bad place (30:07)How the diagnosis of autism changed our son (40:20)Parents, trust your gut (43:10)Our son helped a lot of people (46:19)Episode wrap-up (51:38)Additional resources:? Check out my website ? Pre-order your copy of Calm The Chaos Book ?️ Take the Routine Cure course and keep your days organized and running smoothly  ? Check out my YouTube channel Connect with me on social media:? TikTok ? Instagram ? Facebook Calm the Chaos Parenting is a podcast offering parents practical tools and strategies to navigate the challenges of raising strong-willed, highly sensitive, and neurodivergent children.? Follow us on your favorite platform so you never miss an episode!