Dear Autism Dad

Father’s Day is right around the corner. I want to bring attention to all the amazing and awesome dads out there. Specifically autism dads.

Us moms are in the trenches of autism parenting, special needs parenting, every single day. And many of us have an amazing partner that has come along with us on this journey.

I am fortunate enough to be married to a man that loves our son unconditionally. He supports me no matter what. I am truly thankful to God for giving me such a husband.

And so, autism dad, I wrote you a letter…

Dear Autism Dad,

I see you.

I see the way you love our child. I see the way you love our children.

I see the way you understand our boy better than anyone in the entire world.

I see you.

I see you working really hard to provide for us. Waking up early and coming home late. You do it all for us.

I see that even on the hardest work days you come home and you play with the kids. You listen to their silly stories. You wipe away the tears. And you even help with bath and bedtime even though you would rather have your own bedtime.

I see you autism dad.

I see how all the hopes and dreams you had for your baby boy are different now. I see how you love him and inspire him. He wants to be just like you.

And I love you.

I love the way you love our family and the way you love our boy.

I love the way you stay strong for us when it‘s hard. I love the way you are so level headed when I am losing it.

I love your texts to me telling me I’m the best mom ever when I just texted you all my mom fails of the day.

I love how you love our children no matter what they can or cannot do. All they know is you are always there for them and they cannot wait for you to come home from work.

I thank you, autism dad.

I thank you for being awesome.

I thank you for being our hero.

I thank you for loving us, your family, even though we are a big hot mess most of the time.

I thank you for loving our precious autism boy with all that you have.

You inspire me, autism dad.

How did we get so lucky and so blessed…

Always and forever,

You autism family

Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. – Ephesians 6:4