Michael is beginning to blend vowel and consonant sounds into simple syllables and words! This is an important milestone in his language skills as he works toward more complex speech and his ability to articulate and form sounds together. 📌Many people ask me why I still co-sleep with Michael, and this is one of the many reasons why. From the moment he wakes up until we go to sleep, there’s always that “one more thing” I don’t want to miss—whether it’s a new word, a small breakthrough, or a meaningful moment of connection. Some studies and parenting philosophies, particularly those rooted in attachment theory, suggest that co-sleeping can be beneficial and safe until the age of 7, as long as both the child and parents are comfortable with it. Ultimately, it’s a choice that reflects both his needs and my commitment to ensuring the maximum benefit for his emotional growth and development. 👑 Catch all the exclusive, on-the-go stories and insights into our daily approach to education and therapy on the Instagram 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 #autismadvocate #autismparenting #inspiration #motivation #autismawareness

This is a glimpse into what LRE (Least Restrictive Environment) means to us and why we chose the path we’re on today. For us, LRE isn’t just a principle—it’s a core approach that influences every decision we make, from his education to his therapy and daily life. We believe that true learning and growth occur in environments that encourage independence, foster authentic interactions, and reflect real-world experiences. 📌 Our choice wasn’t about following conventional methods, but about finding what truly supports his development and empowers him to thrive in a world that often prioritizes standardization and conformity. This means that we often learn alongside him, navigating life and its challenges together as we go. While this path comes with its challenges too, we are confident it offers him the best opportunity to reach his full potential. 👑 Catch all the exclusive, on-the-go stories and insights into our daily approach to education and therapy on the Instagram 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 #autismadvocate #autismparenting #inspiration #motivation #autismawareness

Semantics awareness involves understanding how language conveys meaning in various contexts, making it a significant milestone in language and communication for Michael. By beginning to develop this skill, Michael can better grasp the deeper meaning of words, sentences, and context, enabling more effective interactions and comprehension. This awareness can be broken down into three key areas: 1. Linguistic Semantics: Focuses on the meaning of words and their combinations in sentences. This includes: • Word Meaning: Understanding individual words, such as synonyms, antonyms, and homonyms. • Sentence Meaning: Recognizing how word order and sentence structure affect interpretation. • Contextual Meaning: Identifying how meanings change based on the situation or context. 2. Formal Semantics: Uses logical and mathematical frameworks to analyze meaning, such as understanding how sentences represent truth and how words relate to objects or concepts in the real world. 3. Pragmatic Semantics: Examines how meaning is shaped by tone, intent, and situational context, extending beyond literal word meanings. For Michael, gaining semantic awareness is not only about understanding language—it’s about building a bridge to more meaningful connections with others, greater self-expression, and fully participating in conversations, making it a crucial part of his communication journey. 👑 Catch all the exclusive, on-the-go stories and insights into our daily approach to education and therapy on the Instagram 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 #autismadvocate #autismparenting #inspiration #motivation #autismawareness #language #milestones

For the past five years, we’ve rarely had a strict, sedentary meal routine. Generally, Michael eats well, and we’ve been fortunate not to face the picky eating challenges that many families with children on the autism spectrum experience. However, Michael never liked sitting still for meals. He hated being strapped into his high chair, and finishing his meal while staying seated was often a struggle, so we didn’t push it. If he wanted to move around, we let him. This meant that I often found myself chasing him around to make sure he ate every bite. Now that he’s older, I’ve learned to get creative, especially when it comes to meals he’s less enthusiastic about. For example, my singing. I’ve found that singing to him can make all the difference—but not for the reasons you might expect. 😂 📌 Our daily walks is just another example of how we can turn a routine task, like eating breakfast, into an opportunity for exploration, movement, communication, emotional regulation, and sensory integration—all while honoring his need for autonomy and adventure. 👑 Catch all the exclusive, on-the-go stories and insights into our daily approach to education and therapy on the Instagram 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 🔗 #funny #heartwarming #parenting #autism #nonverbal #nonspeaking #ASL #signlanguage #representationmatters #handsome #autismadvocate #autismparenting #inspiration #motivation #autismawareness

Here are some highlights of our grocery routine and traditions, which are a cornerstone of our clinic-free approach to therapy, unschooling through experiential learning, and developing life skills in real-world settings. Each grocery outing is more than just running errands—it’s an immersive experience designed to teach essential lessons in communication, independence, and adaptability. From navigating the aisles to selecting items, every step offers hands-on opportunities to practice decision-making, problem-solving, and patience within a busy, sensory-rich environment. We set intentional goals during these outings, focusing on encouraging the use of words, ASL, or alternative communication methods to express needs and preferences. Simple tasks, like identifying produce, weighing fruits and vegetables, or using a self-checkout machine, become valuable opportunities to build confidence, independence, and a sense of accomplishment. These trips go beyond practical skills, offering chances to practice social interactions such as greeting store employees, waiting patiently in line, or taking turns at the checkout. These moments help develop social awareness and adaptability in a natural, everyday environment. Over time, our grocery routine has evolved into an anticipated and meaningful part of his life. It provides a familiar sense of structure while allowing space for spontaneous, unplanned learning opportunities that emerge along the way. By transforming a routine grocery trip into an engaging and dynamic learning experience, this lifestyle approach reinforces essential values like flexibility, independence, and self-reliance. It exemplifies how unschooling and experiential learning can integrate seamlessly into daily life, fostering meaningful growth in real-world contexts. 👑 Catch all the exclusive, on-the-go stories and insights into our daily approach to education and therapy on the Instagram 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