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I've decided to restart my blog, mostly because I've also restarted my Master's degree and I need something to help me procrastinate. I've also started again because as Leo has started school and is around more kids, I've found a lot more questions and a lot more misunderstandings. Also, we like travel companions.

Here's the background, Leo is 3.5 years old and received his diagnosis from the University of Iowa in April of 2015. He was 26 months old. His Mom and I were not very accepting of his diagnosis to begin with but that didn't stop us from immediately putting Leo to work. He started ABA therapy, he started speech, he started OT. At this point, Leo is nonverbal with some social issues. I say at this point because I believe Leo will talk one day. He says a few words, he is a rock star with his PECs (picture exchange cards) book and he is great at communicating with his Mom and I. This blog is from my perspective and my experiences with Leo. His other Mom is amazing and is a great partner and parent...I've just learned over 18 years not to speak for her.

So, I know nothing about autistic kids. I'm not an autism expert. I know my kid who happens to have autism. These are the questions/comments I get asked on a regular basis. 1) Are you sorry you vaccinated him? 2) Enjoy the quiet. Once he starts talking he'll never shut up and you'll be wishing he didn't talk. 3) Can't you just (drop his off at the YMCA daycare, let the teenage girl next door watch him, make him talk)? 4) Is he like Rainman? 5) Why isn't he paying attention to me when I talk?

Here are the answers: 1) No, because vaccines don't cause autism and even if they did, I'd rather have a child with autism than one who was dead from whooping cough. 2) No, we won't. Also, listen to your kids, they might have something important to say and they love you. 3) No, Leo likes a routine and we have a small group of people who he knows that make it easier for him and us when he's left with a babysitter. Also, if you can make a child talk please let me know how...I'll give you all my money. 4) He can read and do math at 3.5 but if you drop a bunch of toothpicks on the floor he'll just help you pick them up. 5) Maybe he thinks you're an asshole.

My kid is great. It took me a long time to accept that autism was a part of him just like blond hair and green eyes. Maybe the autism is all the the things I love about him. He's ridiculously smart, he's very funny, he's the sweetest boy on the planet, and he's kind. Maybe without the autism, he wouldn't be all those things. Twice in the last two weeks, a teacher and a librarian in his new school stopped me as Leo and I were walking to my car to tell me how sweet he is. That makes me feel like we're doing something right. I've told him that the only thing I expect from him every day is to be brave, to be kind, and to be curious. We find other ways to communicate and I guarantee that he almost always gets his point across. Tonight, after a very long day where we were both sick and Mom was gone at a meeting all day, I took him to bed and as he was falling asleep, he reached out and held my hand and then kissed me on the forehead. That's makes a tough day totally worth it.

Ask me the questions you've always wanted to ask. Make up a fake name if you think I'll be an asshole. Leo and I are going to take you on our journey. You're very lucky because he makes the world a most magical place.