“How do you feel about your son being on the Autism spectrum?” The psychologist asked this question after he assessed my son, Gavin, for developmental delays. I was in shock. How should I feel? Happy? Relieved? It felt like those words knocked the wind out of me. And then kept kicking me when I was already down.
There was no time to feel much of anything once Gavin received his diagnosis. We were swept away on a journey for which we could never prepare. A journey to find the intervention Gavin needs to have the most successful future possible – finding the best speech, occupational, and ABA therapists. Fighting with the public school system to get the services my son needs. Fighting with the insurance company to PAY for the services my son needs. Many more evaluations where we heard the same terms over and over again to describe our son: Deficits. Weaknesses. Delays. Disability.
But then in the midst of working with Gavin on his “deficits” something beautiful happened. My son began revealing to me his amazing mind. Yes, he has weaknesses. Don’t we all? But Gavin also has so many strengths. I stopped putting all my focus on what Gavin CAN’T do, and started to appreciate what he CAN do.
At age 3, Gavin can read at about the same level as his 6 year old brother. We tell him how to spell a word one time and his incredible memory never forgets. He can recite the alphabet backwards as effortlessly as he can recite it forwards.
Gavin continues to amaze me every day. I thought I was supposed to be the one teaching him but it turns out he is teaching me. He taught me to have more patience. To look at things differently. To have more compassion for others. That life doesn’t always turn out the way you plan. He taught me “different” can be “better”.
I love Gavin. He is a blessing. He is funny, intelligent, energetic, adorable, and sweet. He also has Autism. And I would not change a thing.

Sandy Lucas
Manassas, VA