Autism Awareness Month

By Gracie Benedith Cane
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Being Zaire's mom has been an incredible blessing, though undeniably challenging. I am the mother of two special needs boys, including his older brother who is legally blind. His older brother has been a great teacher, preparing me to be a better mom to Zaire, who is autistic. This journey has also taught me the importance of advocating for my children. It's led me to deeply learn about autism and Zaire's specific needs. 

When Zaire was diagnosed with autism at age 2, I knew I needed to become his voice and advocate. I pursued evaluations and arranged for an Individualized Education Program (IEP) to get him the support he needed, including the right therapists. Through the IEP process, we secured a suitable educational program and classroom setting, providing him the best possible start. My beloved mother taught me to be a hands-on mom, and I've taken that to heart. I actively engage with Zaire's teachers and therapists, building a strong team for him. We're always communicating, sharing updates, and ensuring a cohesive approach to his education and support. This is, without a doubt, one of the most important things I've done for Zaire. 

Family life is rarely balanced. I prioritize everyone's needs through careful planning and communication. While my own ideas on how things could be better with teachers and administrators are not the focus, I am sure to communicate what my needs are and my concerns so that Zaire's needs are met. 
In Zaire's journey, I've learned the importance of being present, hands-on, and continually learning alongside him. I have no regrets about how things have been. Zaire has progressed remarkably, especially in speech. He had speech delay, but his vocabulary has tripled. He was also non-verbal and lacked consistent eye contact. Now, 8-year-old Zaire is expressive, kind, and affectionate. He has some minor academic challenges, but they are manageable with the support we have in place. 

Ultimately, I've learned to embrace his individuality and not to rigidly follow typical developmental milestones. Zaire is thriving and I will continue to observe him now to hone any new craft he loves to do to nourish it. It’s been an interesting ride but my most important role is to give Zaire the best. No More, No Less.
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