Why would I post a blog about autism under “Caregiving?”  Because that is one of my personal caregiving experiences in having raised a child on the autism spectrum…my son, Grayson.

So, what does it mean to be on the autism spectrum?  It means that a child has a unique way of looking at the world and interacting with others.  That’s true for Grayson, but I also find him to be talented, expressive, funny, and clever!

How did I first realize Grayson was on the spectrum?  He was a 26-week preemie born at a weight of two-pounds one-ounce…and we expected he’d have special needs…although we didn’t fully comprehend the extent.  The doctors explained the possible challenges we might face, such as developmental delays, cerebral palsy, deafness, or blindness.  We were told to watch for signs and be diligent about appointments with doctors and specialists. 

Grayson was born with a grade one bleed on his brain, whole in his heart and underdeveloped   lungs.  By the time he was one year old,  his medical problems had resolved themselves. He made it to his first birthday and you’d never have known he’d been a preemie as he had caught up to the standard height and weight of children his age.  He didn’t walk until he was 18 months old, but that was an expected developmental delay.

I didn’t notice the characteristics of an autistic child until he was between 3 and 4 years old.  Next week, I will explain what I did start to notice about my child.  

We’ll start the conversation there with much more to come.