WHY WE SHARE OUR STORY

In our home, Autism Awareness doesn’t start on April 1st or end on April 30th. It’s woven into the fabric of our daily lives. It’s in the small victories that only we seem to notice. It’s in the challenging moments that test our patience and deepen our compassion. It’s in the joy of watching our son, Karson, light up when he discovers something new. It’s in moments of uncertainty, when all we can do is take the next step together.

Our family’s journey with Autism began the day we heard Karson’s diagnosis. That day everything changed, but it didn’t define everything. What followed was a path full of learning, adjusting, grieving the expectations we once had, and slowly replacing them with hope, advocacy, and deep love for the beautiful child right in front of us.

Why We Share Our Story

When we first received Karson’s diagnosis, we were flooded with information, websites, books, and terms we had never heard before. But what we really needed at that moment wasn’t just facts.

We needed CONNECTION. We needed to hear from someone who had sat in the same chair, heard the same words, and wondered the same things.

That’s why we began sharing our story not because we have all the answers, but because we know how much it matters to hear someone say, “I UNDERSTAND.”

We open our hearts and home through this blog in hopes that another parent, guardian, sibling, teacher, or friend might find comfort in our journey. Whether it’s through a moment you recognize or a resource that helps, our goal is to offer a light on the path we’re walking together.

The Power of Personal Stories

There’s something incredibly powerful about a story. Facts inform but stories connect. They invite empathy. They give a face and a name to what otherwise might be misunderstood or overlooked.

Sharing Karson’s world is our way of showing the vibrant spectrum of autism in all its complexity. From his favorite sensory tools to the therapies that have helped him grow, from the milestones that fill our hearts to the days that test our strength, these stories are real. Raw. Honest. And full of love.

And these stories aren’t just for us.

They’re for the parent who’s sitting in their car after an IEP meeting, trying to process what just happened.

They’re for the sibling who loves their brother or sister but doesn’t always know how to connect.

They’re for the teacher who wants to do right by every child in their classroom but feels unsure of where to start.

They’re for the neighbor who waves but wonders what life behind that front door might be like.

Every story we share is an invitation to understand, to support, and to walk alongside families like ours.

Walking Together

Autism Awareness isn't just about wearing blue or posting a graphic one month out of the year. It's about showing up, listening, learning, and loving all year long.  It’s about making space for neurodiverse children and their families in classrooms, in communities, and in everyday life.

So, thank you for being here, for reading, for caring, and for walking with us. Whether you’re just beginning this journey or have been on it for years, we want you to know you are not alone.

And neither are we.

Let’s keep walking……………. TOGETHER!

If our story resonates with you, we’d love to stay connected.
Continue to support our blog for more heartfelt stories, helpful resources, and updates on our journey with Karson. 

You can also follow us on IG: aplus.karsonkares & FB: Autism+KarsonKares for daily glimpses into our world, sensory tool tips, and ways we’re building a more inclusive community.

We’re in this together and your story matters too.