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"Worry," "fear," "anarchy," "exhaustion," "hope," "love." These are some of the many words parents of kids with autism spectrum disorder utilize to draw their reality.

In accolade of Autism Awareness Month, we asked the HuffPost Parents Facebook customs to share what autism looks like in their families. While no two stories are identical, these parents wish for what everyone wants for their children: credence and joy.

Go along scrolling to see what autism looks like and read what it ways for most 50 dissimilar families.

ANA ZAMBRANA

"This is what autism looks similar in our home. This is Lucas, and he's 7. He was diagnosed in December 2016. He's considered high-functioning autistic. We took this photograph to share his diagnosis with family and friends on Facebook. He is the low-cal of our lives. He loves sports, loves school, and wishes to exist a pilot when he grows upwards. Our silky terrier Bo is his 'baby brother.'"

candace davenport

"Zoe was diagnosed with autism at 23 months one-time. We had known for a long time prior to the testing that she had autism, just who was to say she wasn't just different than the rest. Every day is unpredictable. Zoe never has a boring day. I think waiting YEARS to hear her first give-and-take. When she said it, I pulled the car over and cried then hard. She flapped her arms and did her self-stimming tongue thrusting, and I joined in likewise! She is just like every other kid. She has good days and bad days. She has milestones and regressions. It's just that autism gives her that extra push to do things on a larger scale. I recollect she has started to larn that she is different than her classmates, and she has already been the target of bullying. Autism prevents her from agreement that bullies are trying to hurt her. She still will walk up to them and slowly make eye contact, smiling, stick her hand out, say 'Hi friend! I'm Zoe Grace!', lick their cheek and skip away. #DifferentNotLess"

Missy Crosby Hopkins/Facebook

"My son (with spectacles) and his twin brother. His brother has autism. They were raised apart only take recently been brought dorsum together when nosotros adopted our son. He sees his twin oftentimes now and cherishes their times. When his blood brother isn't understood by anyone else, my son can assistance others sympathise what his twin cannot limited for himself. The face of autism in our firm is the glow of brotherly love."

Amanda Casey/Facebook

"Autism in our house is a large brother teaching little brothers his heavy work moves that they now do it together. Lego pieces every bit far as the eye can see but don't you dare touch them. Pokémon cards as far as the heart tin see but don't you dare affect them. It's limited hugs and 'I love you's, but when they happen, they're special. It's worrying about the future and working at life skills every 24-hour interval, so he tin can be contained when the time comes. Celebration over piffling victories like new environments and people without a meltdown. Talking calmly through the meltdown, letting him know I'm here. Hurt feelings when friends/family/teachers don't understand behaviors and think he'southward misbehaved. Beingness a strong advocate in those situations when it would be easier to be angry at those who believe it's misbehavior. It's loving every minute I have with him and his brothers knowing we are doing the best we tin."

Lauren Johnson/Facebook

"Autism is our family is new. My 2-and-a-one-half-yr-sometime has been recently diagnosed. It is raising a beautiful bright potent-willed kid who may have challenges, only we will learn and abound each day. She hasn't talked yet and has difficulty at preschool. And it'due south extra difficult for us since it'south merely me and her, and I work full-time and go to school total-fourth dimension. Betwixt early intervention and family, we are thriving. She may be young but she has the kindest eye that is total of laughter. I am so proud of her every mean solar day."

Christina Archambeault

"This is autism in our family. Can you lot tell which i is on the spectrum? Most people wouldn't gauge, being that information technology's a pic. Only, from left to right we take Maxwell who is six, Gavin who is 8 and Bailey who is ii. Our center child Maxwell was diagnosed on he autism spectrum at historic period 4. He's on the more than astringent end, existence non-exact and having sensory processing disorder. Just, although he doesn't communicate, his siblings know when he'due south happy, distressing, agitated, or just plain silly. Nosotros are very open and supportive in our household and effort to give him equally much opportunity as his ii other siblings. The almost of import thing to us is to raise all iii of our children to know that they are each other's support arrangement, and family is beginning, ever. We're autism advocates, but firstly, Maxwell advocates."

Alexandria Zabala

"Autism in our household is many things. It'south unconditional love, it'due south long emotional days, but most importantly it'due south accepting different instead of ignoring and pretending information technology doesn't exist. Autism is everything awesome and exhausting, simply there's nothing I would modify about my son Michael."

Dixieapple

"Autism to us and for us has been: screaming, laughing, tantrums, tickling, trying to rest autism and typical, biting (not love nips, the kind that cause permanent damage), hugging, smearing (if you don't know, you don't want to), singing, aggression/violence, the Muppets, Wiggles, Oobi and Sesame on constant repeat, hitting, music, crying, making dizzy faces, low, innocence, mania, medications, frustration, holidays whenever the mood strikes, sleep disorder, fear, guilt, joy, loss, drums and guitars (real and created), grief, spontaneous hugs and kisses, injuries, destruction, creativity, sensory seeking/abstention, limited spoken communication, obsessions, packing a bag of supplies for outings when your child is 17, snuggling at bedtime to 'talk' about the 24-hour interval, always existence on hyper-alert status, never cooking only 1 meal, celebrating and appreciating all victories and accomplishments, loss of friends and family unit, learning who your true friends are (who are now family unit), constant advocating, countless fighting for services/help, limited ability to exercise things together, trying to bask the few things we tin can do together, the Dollar Tree beingness our own personal 'Cheers' ... everybody knows her name, meltdowns (unlike from tantrums), childlike excitement vs. teenager angst, constant noise, anger and love."

Kimberly Marin

"This is what autism looks similar in our family. This is my 2-year-erstwhile, Noah. He was recently diagnosed with autism only nigh a calendar week ago. He doesn't talk however only is trying each day. He loves to line things up. It could be pens, army men, straws, teddy bears, annihilation. He loves music. He loves to trip the light fantastic toe, and he gets so excited, he flaps his hands. He tin be mean to his siblings at times, but they are all learning unlike means to distract him when he gets upset. Noah is so loved in our family. We wouldn't be our family without him!"

KayLeigh

"Autism is what makes it extremely difficult for my son to communicate with others, it'due south what makes him unaware of social norms and how to form meaningful relationships with peers. Autism is trading guitar practice or T-ball exercise for speech therapy, occupational therapy and ABA therapy. Autism likewise looks like the pure joy on his face when he is swinging, information technology's the confident smiling he gets when communicating with his AAC device. Autism in our family teaches us to celebrate and appreciate every. single. thing. Autism is difficult, simply this face is tenacious, and because of that, so are we."

Leenette Wells

"My oldest girl is in center school. Not but does she play viola in school orchestra, she is a figure skater who would skate every twenty-four hour period if she could. She is my little caretaker, and is always worried about how we are feeling. My son was not-exact until the historic period of 7; once words finally started flowing (as opposed to simply random sounds), his vocabulary has grown by leaps and premises. He is on class-level with his coursework and is an electronics whiz. His tablet is his most prized possession; he video records himself playing drums, or makes movies out of his favorite clips.
My youngest daughter puts the 'Autistic people are anti-social' notion to rest. She loves people, greeting everyone with an enthusiastic, 'Hello!' She makes eye contact and will sing and trip the light fantastic toe for y'all all day. The larger the audition, the better. She also loves to be featherbrained and make you express joy. I never put a limit on what my children could exercise. Society does that enough already."

Elise Dale Fong/Facebook

"In my house, autism is existence able to think and recite a motion picture she'southward simply seen twice, but not being able to call back her morning routine without a list or chart. Most chiefly, though, my girl (who is xv) is absolutely accepting of all people who cantankerous her path and does not run into herself as dissimilar in any way. In my firm, autism is beingness able to do whatever your peers do, merely perchance do it in a different way or a different time frame."

Krista Grantmyre

"We take a vibrant, fearless non-verbal 3-year-erstwhile who is the apple of our eye. Liam was diagnosed in August 2022 and is at present enrolled in an early on didactics program that promotes inclusion. Zilch holds him back. We enrolled Liam in a Pre-CanSkate class at the local arena, and he rocked it then much so that he is going for another session this spring! While information technology'south not the path we originally thought we would be traveling down, nosotros definitely take a good bout guide!"

Karen O'Toole

"What does Autism look similar? It'south this sweet petty boy. We have so many struggles, simply zero brightens my day more than than hearing his belly laugh when he's playing with his puppy or getting amused past mom or dad or when his big brother chases him. I often call up what my life would be like with two typical developing children. As dreamy as that sounds, without Patrick I would be a horribly judgmental person. I would think that my 'perfect' children were the result of all the perfect parenting decisions I had made. Patrick has taught me patience, understanding, acceptance and unconditional love that I would never really know without living with autism in our lives every single day."

Nicole McCann

"A diagnosis is but a diagnosis and nothing more. It does not define who your child is. Autism or ASD (autism spectrum disorder) is a spectrum disorder that includes a large range of linked conditions. Autism doesn't come with a manual. It comes with a parent who never gives up. Alivia has taught me more about life in the last ii-and-a-one-half years she'southward been hither, than I could have ever imagined. She has taught me to be brave, to be strong, to exist courageous. She has taught me that even when you're tired and feel like you are at a standstill, you can keep going. She has taught me that there are many other ways of communication than but just speaking. She has shown me how incredibly exciting viewing the world from a different angle can be! On some days we struggle. We struggle a lot. And on other days we accomplish and overcome a lot. Every day is unpredictable, but on days where I can't seem to keep away the tears, I have to remember that there is a greater program. God knew exactly what he was doing when he chose me to be Alivia's mom. He knew I would exist able to be her vocalism. He knew I would never, ever give up, no matter what it volition take. And simply like all parents, we accept many worries. I worry well-nigh many things. About her knowing how loved she is, about her future, about her going to school, well-nigh people being mean to her, nearly people knowing she's different, and just about her life in full general. But I take to remember worrying won't get us anywhere right now. What is meant to exist, will always be. If you ever met our Alivia, y'all know when y'all watch her or collaborate with her, she is only so very special, and I just hope the world tin can see her the same. I promise the world tin learn she is different, non less. She lights my world brighter than the sunshine, and fills my heart with and so much love. And I merely hope when she goes to sleep every dark, she can drift off to slumber knowing the aforementioned amount of sunshine in her life and dearest in her heart. Most of the time I don't find autism to be the struggle, I find other people'south understanding of autism to be the struggle."

Monique Lafourche Delaney/Facebook

"In our business firm, autism looks similar utterly adorable and funny and sweet quirks from this kid right here. He is like a combination of Brick from 'The Middle' and Dewey from 'Malcolm in the Middle,' and as the middle kid in a rather big brood, he brings out a level of tenderness in all of united states that makes this family as astonishing equally it is. I wouldn't alter him for the earth."

Amelia Green

"Autism in our family ways that dear needs no words, nor does it take whatsoever boundaries. Our Alex changes the world with his smile and his unbridled joy without always speaking a discussion. I knew at iii months that something was amiss with my outset sweet infant boy. At xiii months a diagnosis and at 8 years sometime, his mom graduated with a master's degree in applied behavior analysis and autism. Autism has inverse my life in every way, and I am so much amend for it. I have witnessed the smallest miracles that others accept for granted. I have heard my son speak after years of speech therapy and so lost it. I accept celebrated my son learning to use an iPad to tell me what he wants for snack after years of frustration. I have learned with my son and celebrated every step of the way. To love a child with autism is to live with an aching grief that few empathize. It is as well the most unbelievable joy, those milestones, goals and dreams achieved. Our end of the spectrum is a difficult path. We focus on functional goals rather then academic, equally college or fifty-fifty standardized testing are no longer dreams. We focus on the things that matter, and nosotros piece of work on them and celebrate them and make sure to ever work on them so they terminal. Our dreams accept changed but they are even so beautiful. We have 2 younger boys who are empathetic, sweet and kind in a mode that is merely possible because Alex is their brother. They wait for the kid playing alone and brand sure to say hi. They are kind and patient with their brother and quick to defend him when at that place are too many stares or whispers in public. Autism has fabricated usa all amend people. Autism colors our world and makes everything more than vivid and articulate. I wish we could move past being aware to being accepting and inclusive."

Leanne Johnson/Facebook

"Autism in our house is finding those moments that will bring joy to our son's confront. Finding the moments that he's not too anxious, then we can hug him. Finding the moments to sit with him, so he tin fill our minds with his immense noesis. Finding moments where he's concentrating on something so dear to him, and I stare at him and can't believe that he's ours. I wouldn't change him or any of his quirks for the world."

Katie McHale Reeves/Facebook

"My son Connor is 5 years old. At 3, he was completely non-verbal. He finally said 'Mommy' at 3-and-a-one-half. It was one of his beginning words and fabricated me cry happy tears. He is now verbal and ready to first kindergarten in the fall. All of our difficult work is showing, and we are and then proud of him."

Melissa Cramton/Facebook

"Our daughter has Downward syndrome and autism. For us, autism looks like a lot of things. Sometimes loneliness, sometimes happiness, sometimes confusion, sometimes overwhelmed. E'er beloved. There's e'er beloved."

Bister Ayers/Facebook

"Autism looks like love and sadness. Promise and heartache. Beauty, magic, persistence and turmoil. Information technology looks similar a little boy that loves collecting DVDs so much that he asks for a DVD cake every twelvemonth. We are challenged, simply we are blest."

Buffy Lael-Wolf/Facebook

"My girl is 7 -- diagnosed at historic period ii.5. As scary every bit it was, getting a diagnosis so early on was the blessing. She did six hours of therapy a week for two years. It was tough, merely she made tons of progress. She is in a mainstream classroom with back up and progressing well. The rule in our firm is that you never apologize for who you are."

Eris McKelvey Wilson/Facebook

"This is what autism looks like in my house. My son was diagnosed at xviii months. He always spoke only is not a slap-up communicator. He is loving, highly empathetic, engaging, intelligent and friendly to a fault. But he struggles with debilitating feet and rage. His focus is severely impacted, he has sensory challenges and goes through food phases where he wants to eat the aforementioned thing for months at a fourth dimension. He is incredibly scared to exist alone, at any fourth dimension, even for a few seconds. He ever seems to latch on to onetime or hard-to-notice shows and movies, as is shown in the photo -- 'CatDog,' 'Roger Rabbit,' and 'Three Caballeros' toys he received for Christmas. To his cadre all he really wants is dear, friendship and acceptance."

Michelle R Rice/Facebook

"Autism in our family unit is coming total circumvolve, it is looking back on the very early years and wondering how you did it all. It is raising a non-exact son with pregnant needs all while trying to balance life with his neurotypical sister. Autism in our house is facing the empty nest afterwards 22 years of caregiving. Information technology is navigating the system after 18 and ensuring that once we are gone, our son has a safe and happy home. Autism in our family unit is realizing that y'all will never finish wishing that you were a millionaire so that you could make sure your kid will exist taken intendance of the way you desire in one case you are gone. And autism in our house is realizing no thing how tough information technology gets, the love and strength of your family is tougher!"

Athina Marie Fascianella/Facebook

"Every solar day in our home is #AutismAwareness thanks to this petty blue-eyed miracle kid that I have the pleasure and honor of calling my son. This is Joseph. He was diagnosed with PDD-NOS at eighteen months old. It was later inverse to moderate autism. This boy, whose smile shines brightly with love and laughter. My little man, whose heart is so kind and compassionate and who genuinely but wants anybody to be happy. He is beyond intelligent, witty and wise across comprehension. He works then difficult on a daily basis learning to deal with social protocols and changes in routine. I'm exceedingly proud of our Joseph for his fortitude and tenacity, his generous soul and protective nature over his piddling brother. He keeps us on our toes, but I wouldn't have it any other manner."

Kim Treviño/Facebook

"What autism looks like to me: My babe. My world. Making me proud every day. He may never get the take chances to tell me in words how he feels or how his day was. But I will understand him regardless, and I will aid him understand the world."

Elizabeth Ann Garrison/Facebook

"Autism in our house is constant conversations about Minecraft and Skylanders. We are pretty proud of this photograph. It was six years in the making. His concluding.hair cut at a salon was when he was 3 years sometime. He would go into meltdowns from the sensory overload of a haircut. In February 2017, he kept request to dye his hair red, so we went back. He got a haircut and dye. He was so proud then were we! He's 9 at present, almost 10 and every day has its challenges, merely every solar day I as well see him persevere through uncomfortable sensory or social situations. He's come so far and we are beside him every step of the way!"

Elizabeth Lewis/Facebook

"This is my son Kameron. He is viii years former, and he has two sisters. In our firm, autism looks like happiness. He has a smile that is contagious and a love for life that is inspiring! We think he is fabulous. We say all the time that he isn't autistic; he has autism!"

Wenda Wright/Facebook

"Two of my sons -- my eldest Mariono and my youngest Xavi -- are autistic. Mariono was diagnosed at 7 with Asperger syndrome. Xavi was recently diagnosed."

Morgan Ayala/Facebook

"Both boys take been diagnosed with autism. Dominic is 4.5 and was diagnosed at 2, Ryder is twenty months and was diagnosed at 17 months. I, their female parent, am also on the spectrum, and I take a variety of other mental wellness bug."

Kimberly Baker/Facebook

"Shane was diagnosed with autism at 15 months of age. Information technology took my insistence to the pediatrician that something was wrong. I finally got the referral at nine months and waited 6 months to become into a developmental pediatrician. Shane was non a typical infant. He didn't want to exist held, cried inconsolably, no eye contact, no words. I fifty-fifty had to put him in a bouncer seat to feed a bottle to him. He did just enough blathering of sounds to make the doctor believe he was fine, but I knew he wasn't. Sometimes as a mom you take to trust your gut and go against what the doctors and everyone else tells you. You are the mom, and you know your kid. Never doubt your intuition. When we got the diagnosis at 15 months of historic period, I asked for another referral to get a 2d stance, and it was confirmed past another dr.. When we returned to our pediatrician with a diagnosis, he said, 'At present I can come across it, only I wasn't so sure in a child so young.' It is hard for a doctor to determine in a short office visit. Don't expect for a physician to tell you lot, seek out your own answers. In that location was a time when nosotros sat in the waiting room of an emergency section saying that we wouldn't go out until we got answers. Do what yous demand to practise. Doctors see a small piece of the puzzle, while you see the whole picture."

Lori Cross/Facebook

"This is what autism looks similar to us. Riley. He has a gentleness virtually him, sensitive, and funny, simply will be moody and rage at the slightest routine change. They are focusing a lot about the transition into heart school, & it's triggered his OCD/anxiety. After his bald spot grows in nosotros're going to proceed his hair brusque. I'm sure it will aid his hair situation, simply he'll get dorsum to chewing his fingers until they drain, or ripping papers into a million pieces. I still oasis't figured out how to non footstep in and speak for him in social situations. Many times, I'm torn betwixt making him do something I know he'south uncomfortable with vs. letting him stay home in his safety zone. I refer to Riley beingness similar a lite switch: If he's on, we're good, but if he'south off, forget about information technology. I don't care what homework is incomplete, we're washed. I dear my son."

Amber Fowler Palmer

"Autism is learning to have lots of patience in a world that has very little! Autism is stressful, lonely and expensive! Autism is obsessions, scripting, routines and meltdowns! This is Ethan; he has an infectious grinning, gives the best hugs ever, and tin can tell stories with just his eyes! He likewise struggles every single day to do the things others might accept for granted! Autism is definitely difficult for him, just he'due south such a happy boy for the most part!"

Daniela Attisano

"Autism in our firm is screams and drastic cry and meltdowns sometimes. But also hugs and kisses and songs and drawings and love and cupcakes and Legos and inventions and farthermost purity of centre"

Tara Lynn

"Lacey and I were diagnosed with ADHD in 2018, and Lacey was officially diagnosed with autism in March 2019. (After Lacey's diagnosis, I likewise cocky-identify equally beingness autistic.) Later on Lacey'due south diagnosis, we realized autism was an undiagnosed condition in multiple generations of my family on my mother'due south side. I am single mom to two beautifully wild children, and own a business helping families in the Kitchener-Waterloo area enjoy a well deserved break at my family-focused wellness centre, Knead a Break Kitchener. Our home is filled with dearest and hilariously beautiful chaos."

Raquel Torres

"In our family unit autism looks like this -- us together (including my husband ) living the best life possible with and for our son Ryu who was diagnosed at the age of 5. He has come a long way, and while there are days we struggle, nosotros every bit a family beloved him for his kind eye, his love for everything that is superheroes and for the love he gives u.s. in return."

Elena Boston

"Autism is cute little surprises that warm our hearts every single time. Here our handsome boy Harvey is being so patient through the busyness of a craft store, then asking if he can concord the Easter Bunny's hand."

Charlotte Cobb

"Autism is finding wonder in the simplest of things. The cold air, the crispy leaves and the freedom to trip the light fantastic in the park like no one is watching."

Joyce Lynn

"This girl has shown me what forcefulness is all about! She is the strongest, kindest, most loving soul I know! Proud to be her Momma!"

Courtney Foster

"Having been diagnosed at the early on age of 2, the days seemed so bleak. Worrying about his future. How would autism concord him back? Would he talk, accept friends, understand feelings, learn to hold a spoon? In reality, I was the but one holding him back. I didn't understand autism. My son teaches me every twenty-four hour period that anything is possible. To speaking full sentences, using utensils properly, and when it comes to numbers, he leaves me speechless. Autism for my son is limitless. His future is so bright!"

Missi Maiorano Brezina

"In our house, autism is our normal, our perfect setting on the clothes dryer of life. Information technology'southward listening to how Transformers save the world and how model toys 'are his people.' Autism is getting unsolicited hugs considering he needs deep force per unit area and I need a good back crack. Autism is listening to the same video clip over and over and over and over again. Autism in our business firm is a reminder every day to exist kinder, sweeter and more accepting. In our firm, autism ways love."

Joella Burbidge

"Autism in our family is rewarding, uncertain, terrifying, frustrating, exciting, sad and so and so and so intriguing! It can exist experiencing absolute pure happiness and joy (equally in the picture of our son Alfie at his happy place -- the beach), and those are the moments that get us through all the others that aren't quite every bit joyous."

Cripe Jason Lou

"Everyone faces challenges in life and for our family unit this is what autism looks like. A dauntless beautiful girl who faces the world caput on. She makes our family very proud."

Mary Shearn

"2 of my 3 children take autism. They are seven and 9. I'thou so thankful I had them both so shut in historic period. Though they fight, they also talk to each other in a way they can talk to no one else. They have very different personalities from one another, only they are both and then precious to me. It has taken me years to accept their diagnosis, but I'm finally learning to comprehend their quirkiness and individuality."

Raluca Isenberg

"Anne is 7. She is artistic and ingenious. She loves to build and read! She's empathetic and amazing! She'due south my world!"

Emily May

"Autism. Life is twist turned upside down and some days we're flush and some days nosotros're bust and we are e'er, e'er, always full of honey."

Erin Kelley

"This is Grayson. To Grayson, Autism looks like speech devices, sensory meltdowns, constantly setting/controlling the environment, strict routines and visual schedules, worrying about safety and the hereafter, tracking devices for elopement, child-proofing on EVERYTHING, extra locks on ALL the doors, paw-to-hand transfers, and only eating Cheetos for iv days straight. Merely it also looks like giggles for no reason, twirling in the living room gleefully, snuggles and kisses, unending honey, seeing the world from a dissimilar view, trying hard every mean solar day to acquire new things, the excitement that comes from a start sign or a outset word (especially when they said he'd never talk), the smile that lights up his face when Mickey comes on, the satisfaction that comes from lining up his cars in just the perfect way, or the laughter he has while playing with his sisters."

Lindsey Walsh

"Autism is the most humbling, frustrating, mysterious thing I never thought I would have to tackle. Only this little boy -- he is the sweetest, kindest, most loving (and stubborn) guy I've ever known. I am so proud to be his mama and most days contain many tears and some laughs too. Autism is constantly teaching us how to be meliorate for him. How to be more patient. And how to think outside the box. This is Oliver, and he has autism."

Ashley Balestriere

"This is how autism looks in our family. Both our son and our daughter accept autism. They have very different needs and they each have their ain strengths. For our family, autism is honey. They have their challenges, but they look out for each other. Together, they can take on whatever challenges the world gives them! Their world is full of infinite potential."

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Source: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/photos-that-show-what-autism-looks-like_n_58e51d91e4b0917d34763222

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