Building life skills is one of the most essential and foundational aspects of our approach, taking precedence over traditional academics. Life skills equip him with the tools he needs to navigate the world confidently and independently, fostering resilience, adaptability, and self-reliance. These skills form the backbone of his overall development, helping him build the capacity to handle everyday challenges, interact meaningfully with others, and care for himself. That said, academic learning is still very much a part of our routine. We incorporate it in a way that complements and enhances life skills, rather than competing with them. Academics are woven into real-life contexts—whether through counting while cooking, learning vocabulary in the context of daily activities, or practicing reading and writing through activities that align with his interests. This balanced approach ensures he develops both practical skills and academic knowledge, providing a well-rounded foundation during his formative years. 📌Michael is growing into the young man he’s meant to become, with hopes that one day he’ll also be prepared to be a caring partner, husband, and father. Every lesson, skill, and value we instill now is with an eye toward his future—not only for his independence but also for his ability to nurture meaningful relationships and contribute positively to the lives of those around him. Despite the challenges he faces, our goal is to help him build a strong foundation of empathy, responsibility, and resilience—qualities that will serve him well in every area of his life, both personal and professional. 📔eBook on Joint Attention & collection of activities, link in BIO 🔗 📔[NEW] eBook on a collection of activities for Speech Exercises, link in BIO 🔗 #heartwarming #parenting #autism #nonverbal #nonspeaking #ASL #signlanguage #screentime #representationmatters #handsome #toddlermom #autismadvocate #autismparenting #inspiration #motivation #autismawareness

By learning to communicate on his terms, I’m discovering a deep level of understanding of communication, that doesn’t rely on spoken language. This shared, silent language has become a bridge between us, allowing me to truly see his personality, emotions, and intentions in ways I might have missed otherwise. Through this connection, I’m reminded that communication is about presence, patience, and the willingness to see the world as he does. 📌 Continued in Pinned Comment at the end of the 🎥 📔eBook on Joint Attention & collection of activities, link in BIO 🔗 📔[NEW] eBook on a collection of activities for Speech Exercises, link in BIO 🔗 #heartwarming #parenting #autism #nonverbal #nonspeaking #ASL #signlanguage #screentime #representationmatters #handsome #toddlermom #autismadvocate #autismparenting #inspiration #motivation #autismawareness

This year, we went trick-or-treating in our community. With Michael being one of only 4 children in the neighborhood, the entire community still came together to celebrate the children with warmth and kindness. It was heartwarming to see neighbors gathering to prepare special treats just for him too. I could see how much joy it brought him to be the center of attention this year, which truly emphasized the strong sense of community we share. This experience not only made Halloween memorable for Michael but also deepened our connections with our neighbors. I’m truly grateful for the support and camaraderie of our community. 📌Continued in Pinned Comment at the end of 🎬 📔eBook on Joint Attention & collection of activities, link in BIO 🔗 📔[NEW] eBook on a collection of activities for Speech Exercises, link in BIO 🔗 #heartwarming #parenting #autism #nonverbal #nonspeaking #ASL #signlanguage #representationmatters #handsome #toddlermom #autismadvocate #autismparenting #inspiration #motivation #autismawareness #progress #halloweencostume

It took nearly four years for him to grasp the ASL numbers 1-30, along with understanding their purpose and application. But in just three months, he taught himself numbers up to 999 — mainly by taking ‘screenshots’ of numbers he finds interesting (yes, he’s mastered that and printing from a printer from his iPad too). This was what helped him understand not only numbers — in the hundreds — but also letters, words, and what purpose they serve. 📌Continued in Pinned Comment at the end of the video 🎥 📔eBook on Joint Attention & collection of activities, link in BIO 🔗 📔[NEW] eBook on a collection of activities for Speech Exercises, link in BIO 🔗 #heartwarming #parenting #autism #nonverbal #nonspeaking #ASL #signlanguage #representationmatters #handsome #toddlermom #autismadvocate #autismparenting #inspiration #motivation #autismawareness #progress

Here’s a progress update on Michael’s speech and ASL finger spelling of the alphabet. He’s continuing to make strides in both areas, showing increased engagement during our spontaneous interactions. His speech progress is marked by clearer attempts at producing sounds and imitating simple words when prompted. As for ASL, he’s becoming more confident with finger spelling the alphabet, particularly focusing on familiar letters associated with his interests, like “J” for Jeep. He’s also starting to spontaneously initiate finger spelling for words that have meaning to him, like “TV” signaling a deeper connection to both forms of communication. While these advancements are gradual, they reflect significant growth in his willingness to engage and experiment with both spoken language and sign language, underscoring his developing ability to bridge the two. 📔eBook on Joint Attention & collection of activities, link in BIO 🔗 📔[NEW] eBook on a collection of activities for Speech Exercises, link in BIO 🔗 ⭐️Get an inside look at our unstructured interactions that blend education and therapy through intentional play, in our Mini-Vlogs on the IG Subscribers’ Page 👑. #education #parenting #autism #nonverbal #nonspeaking #ASL #signlanguage #representationmatters #handsome #toddlermom #autismadvocate #autismparenting #inspiration #motivation #autismawareness #homeschool #unschool #speech

🛝We customized the indoor play gym for him—check the🔗 link under 👉🏻Brand Partners for the products we used to create it. 👑 Catch all the Exclusive Mini-Vlogs on the Subscribers’ Page. 📔eBook on Joint Attention & collection of activities, link in BIO 🔗 📔[NEW] eBook on a collection of activities for Speech Exercises, link in BIO 🔗 #heartwarming #gymnastic #olympic #athlete #parenting #autism #nonverbal #nonspeaking #ASL #signlanguage #representationmatters #handsome #toddlermom #autismadvocate #autismparenting #inspiration #motivation #autismawareness

To all my Korean/Asian followers who know what #Kpop Norebang is all about—it feels like those karaoke days were just yesterday… 🎤 I do miss those times every now and then, but I definitely don’t miss the late nights. These days, I’m all about going to bed at a reasonable hour! 😂😴 👑 Catch all the Exclusive Mini-Vlogs on the Subscribers’ Page. 📔eBook on Joint Attention & collection of activities, link in BIO 🔗 📔[NEW] eBook on a collection of activities for Speech Exercises, link in BIO 🔗 #singing #joy #funny #parenting #autism #nonverbal #nonspeaking #ASL #signlanguage #representationmatters #handsome #toddlermom #autismadvocate #autismparenting #inspiration #motivation #autismawareness #milestones

For the first four years, Michael struggled to stay in a group circle because he didn’t understand the purpose of the activity. Unlike typical children who can grasp group dynamics through spoken language, he still doesn’t fully grasp spoken language and or comprehend why staying in a circle is important. Though he can now physically remain in the circle, his understanding of its significance is still unclear. That said, he enjoys imitating others and excels at it. However, the one-second delay he experiences in processing visual cues from the group suggests he lacks clarity on where to focus his attention during the activity. 📌 Despite the teacher’s instructions about whose turn is next and the activity’s sequential flow, Michael requires a more concrete approach to determine whom he should look at, as spoken language alone isn’t enough for him. While he understood the context of the activity by observing what everyone was doing, he struggled to focus on the right person to imitate and had difficulty identifying whose turn was next. This is why I often stay close to him; I jump in as needed to provide support and guidance. Being nearby allows me to help him navigate the activity more effectively, ensuring he understands when to take his turn and what specifically he needs to do. My presence also reassures him and facilitates his engagement with the group, making it easier for him to participate. 👑 Catch all the Exclusive Mini-Vlogs on the Subscribers’ Page. 📔eBook on Joint Attention & collection of activities, link in BIO 🔗 📔[NEW] eBook on a collection of activities for Speech Exercises, link in BIO 🔗 #heartwarming #theater #model #parenting #autism #nonverbal #nonspeaking #ASL #signlanguage #representationmatters #handsome #toddlermom #autismadvocate #autismparenting #inspiration #motivation #autismawareness

We are beyond excited to share that Michael has received his very first #bouncehouse , thanks to the incredible generosity of @Bouncing_Angels . The team at Bouncing Angels truly went above and beyond, demonstrating not only a commitment to Michael’s happiness but also a passion for raising awareness about the diverse needs and differences of children like him. Your support extends far beyond this single gift—it contributes to a broader mission of understanding and inclusion for nonspeaking autistic children everywhere. Thank you for being an invaluable part of Michael’s journey and for helping us promote not only awareness and acceptance, but also meaningful change in how we perceive, engage with, and support children like Michael and the families who care for them. Here’s to creating new memories and embracing all the new opportunities that help us grow together with love and unity. 👑 Catch all the Exclusive Mini-Vlogs on the IG Subscribers’ Page. 📔eBook on Joint Attention & collection of activities, link in BIO 🔗 📔[NEW] eBook on a collection of activities for Speech Exercises, link in BIO 🔗 #heartwarming #playground #backyard #parenting #autism #nonverbal #nonspeaking #ASL #signlanguage #representationmatters #handsome #toddlermom #autismadvocate #autismparenting #inspiration #motivation #autismawareness

It’s been a 5-year journey of providing the support Michael needs for his oral sensory-seeking behavior. While he doesn’t have Pica—since he doesn’t intentionally ingest what he chews—his need for oral stimulation has always been significant. For a long time, we continued using his pacifier (chupa), as it was the most effective tool in curbing his impulsive need to chew on unsafe objects. This year, however, we’ve made incredible progress in transitioning him away from the pacifier and redirecting him toward Chew-tubes. We had introduced the Chew-tubes early on, but it took several years for him to show real interest in them as an alternative. Now, you’ll rarely see him with a pacifier in any of my posts, and we only offer it to him in extreme situations, case by case. 📌Continued in Pinned Comment at the end of the video…🎥 👑 Catch all the Exclusive Mini-Vlogs on the Subscribers’ Page. 📔eBook on Joint Attention & collection of activities, link in BIO 🔗 📔[NEW] eBook on a collection of activities for Speech Exercises, link in BIO 🔗 #heartwarming #parenting #autism #nonverbal #nonspeaking #ASL #signlanguage #representationmatters #handsome #toddlermom #autismadvocate #autismparenting #inspiration #motivation #autismawareness #milestones