The Day Everything Changed (But So Did I)

                                                          

“Autism didn’t change who he was — it changed how I saw him.”

I still remember the moment the doctor said it: “Your child is on the autism spectrum.”

My heart didn’t break but it did shift. The world seemed to quiet down around us, as if it was waiting for me to take it all in.  I nodded, smiled, asked a few questions I barely remember, and held Karson’s hand like it was the only thing grounding me.  In a sense I was relieved to know that it was in fact what I believed it was, but hearing those words made it more surreal.

I didn’t cry that day, but I did later.  I was filled with so many emotions that I did not quite know how to express myself.  My husband and I discussed what we thought our journey going forward would be.  However, it was far more difficult and challenging than we expected.  But we were determined to not let Karson’s diagnosis defeat our family.  

 

👀 Seeing the World Through His Eyes

Karson has always been special long before we had a diagnosis.  He sees the world in a way that’s colorful, rhythmic, and completely his own.

I watched him light up lining up toys with perfect precision.  I saw him staring as the ceiling fan was spinning above the bed. I felt his energy shift when a place was too loud, too bright, too busy.  I learned what soothed him, what overwhelmed him and what made him feel safe.

And slowly, I stopped trying to teach him how to fit into the world…and started letting him teach me about the world he sees.

Karson couldn’t tolerate going into stores not even for a quick run.

The moment we walked through the doors, it was like a switch flipped. He would scream, cover his ears, and cry until we made it back outside. The fluorescent lights, the echoing voices, the beeping checkout lines, all of it was just too much.

At first, I didn’t get it. I thought maybe he was just overwhelmed or acting out. But over time, I learned to stop asking “What’s wrong with this place?” and start asking “How is this place making him feel?”

The truth is, the grocery store wasn’t just busy, it was a full-blown sensory overload for Karson.

So, I stopped taking him. Not out of avoidance, but out of love. Out of respect.

I started doing pickups, online orders, or asking for help, because Karson’s peace was more important than my convenience.

Seeing the world through his eyes means noticing things I used to walk right past. It means protecting his calm, even when the world doesn’t understand why.

 

❤️ This Blog is for Him — and You

Autism + Karson Kares is more than a blog.  It’s a love letter to Karson, and to every parent, caregiver, friend, teacher, or ally who wants to do more than just know about autism — but truly understands it.

This space will hold real stories, helpful resources, and hopefully, HOPE.  Whether you’re at the beginning of your journey or walking beside someone who is, I hope this feels like a soft place to land.

🧩 Thank you for being here!
You’re a part of something real.  If this post touched you, feel free to leave a comment, share your story, or connect with me.

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Let’s keep spreading awareness — with heart. 💙

Please feel free to leave a comment below about how you felt when your loved one(s) received their diagnosis.