The fire does not consume us, life on Autism Island! Autism daily.
Autism parenting challenge, Life on Autism Island!š„š
Autism parenting challenges and rewards are a part of our everyday life. After 27 years on this journey with our son Jacob, who just celebrated his birthday in August, weāve faced many ups and downs. As a family of fourāJacob, his older brother, and us, his parentsāweāve grown and learned so much. But that doesnāt mean we have it all figured out. Life on Autism Island is full of surprises, adjustments, and yes, setbacks.
Despite these challenges, we hold onto the promise from Isaiah 43:2: āWhen you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.ā š„ This journeyāthis fireādoes not consume us. With love, grace, and a strong commitment to each other, we continue to push forward through whatever comes our way.
As we move into fall, we are once again facing new transitions and adjustments, much like we discussed in last weekās blog on seasonal changes. In this post, Iāll share more about the daily realities of life on Autism Island, the struggles, the rewards, and how we navigate it all with resilience and hope.
Autism parenting challenges and rewards š„š
Autism parenting challenges and rewards have been at the heart of our 27-year journey with Jacob. As we walk through each season of life on Autism Island, weāve learned that faith, family, and preparation are key. With Jacobās sensory sensitivities and rigid routines, every day brings its own challenges, but weāve also seen the rewards of patience, love, and growth over time.
This journey isnāt perfect, and itās not without its setbacks. But with Godās grace and our commitment to each other, weāve learned to use tools like visual schedulesĀ and strategies from the CALM framework to help Jacob navigate his world. Our journey is proof that, with perseverance, things can get better. ššŖ

The Power of Visual Schedules šļø
One of the main tools that has transformed our daily life is visual schedules. Jacobās love for routine means that any changeāespecially moving from one season to anotherācan be hard for him to accept. For example, this morning was the first chilly day of the season, and it was time to wear a hoodie. Since Jacob is used to wearing short sleeves, this transition didnāt go smoothly at first.
What helps is incorporating the clothing change into his visual schedule. I lay out his clothes in advance and point them out on the schedule, giving him time to process that heāll need a jacket or hoodie before we head out the door. This practice helps him see whatās coming and allows us to avoid some of the meltdowns that could occur without preparation. Check out this dad š https://pin.it/3l8R65S46
Redirection: Moving from Resistance to Cooperation šÆ
Even with a visual schedule in place, Jacob sometimes resists new transitions. But instead of getting frustrated, I use redirection to help shift his focus. For example, if heās upset about the hoodie, Iāll point out something exciting coming up later in the day, like picking out a pumpkin or getting his favorite snack. ššŖ
Another effective tactic we use is referencing a favorite movie. Jacob loves quoting movies, so we might start exchanging movie quotes to lighten the mood and redirect his attention from the challenge at hand to something he enjoys. This method works wonders in getting him out the door without turning a small issue into a bigger battle.Ā Stop engaging in power struggles! Use redirection for your autistic child.
Faith, Family, and the CALM Framework āØšŖ
As we move through life on Autism Island, our faith has been a crucial part of how we manage autism parenting challenges and rewards. Isaiah 43:2 reminds us that the fire does not consume us, and we hold onto that promise every day.Ā Ways to have peace? Creating time for yourself, not just your child with autism.
Our family has learned to lean on God, and each other, showing love and grace as we guide Jacob through the tough moments. This means practicing the CALM strategies consistently:
– C. onsistent Action Forward: Maintaining routines and schedules helps Jacob feel more secure.
– A. lways Celebrate Wins: When Jacob follows the schedule, we celebrate, even if itās something small. š
– L. earning to Create Schedules: Visual schedules are essential to our daily life.
– M. indset: Keeping a calm and patient mindset helps Jacob feel more at ease.
By using these strategies, weāve been able to grow as a family and give Jacob the structure and support he needs to thrive.

Ā Reflecting on the Journey š
I also keep a journalĀ to document our experiences. Writing down our daily challenges, feelings, and wins gives me a way to reflect on how far weāve come. Looking back at times when we struggled, itās clear that the consistent use of visual schedules, redirection, and our faith in God has made a real difference in our lives.
When I feel overwhelmed, I go back to those journal entries to remind myself of Godās faithfulness and the progress weāve made. Itās not always easy, but reflecting on our journey gives me the strength to keep going, knowing that each day weāre learning and growing as a family. I’m also sharing our experience to hopefully help others who are feeling frustrated or lost.
Give Yourself and Your Child Grace šš
Weāve come a long way from the early days of Jacobās diagnosis, but that doesnāt mean every day is smooth. There are still tough moments, and emotions can change quickly in our home. Jacob can go from happy to grumpy in a matter of minutes, and some days it feels like weāre walking through fire. But I remind myself that faith, preparation, and kindness are what carry us through.
If I can leave you with one piece of advice, itās this: give yourself and your child grace. Donāt expect everything to be perfect. Practice using the strategies that workālike visual schedules and redirectionāand trust that things will get better with time. The more you prepare, the more youāll find moments of joy, even in the midst of challenges. You also don’t have to walk alone!
Tips and Strategies for Navigating Autism Season Challenges š
1. Use Visual Schedules Consistently šļø
Visual schedules are a lifeline for children with autism, especially when navigating seasonal transitions like moving from summer to fall. Consistency is key. By showing your child what to expect ahead of time, you reduce anxiety and help them adjust to new routines with ease. Whether itās putting on a hoodie or switching up daily activities, make sure itās reflected in their schedule.
2. Practice Redirection šÆ
When resistance or frustration arises, redirection can be your best tool. Shift the focus to something your child enjoysāwhether itās a favorite activity, snack, or even a beloved movie quote. This method helps steer them away from negative emotions and keeps the day moving forward.
3. Celebrate Small Wins š
Even small victories deserve to be celebrated. If your child follows the visual schedule, give praise or a reward, no matter how minor the accomplishment may seem. Positive reinforcement builds confidence and encourages them to keep progressing. Celebrate wins as they come, and remember, progress is progress!
4. Keep the CALM Framework in Mind āØ
– C. onsistent Action Forward: Maintaining routines and schedules helps Jacob feel more secure.
– A. lways Celebrate Wins: When Jacob follows the schedule, we celebrate, even if itās something small. š
– L. earning to Create Schedules: Visual schedules are essential to our daily life.
– M. indset: Keeping a calm and patient mindset helps Jacob feel more at ease.
When you use the CALM framework, youāre giving your child the tools they need to navigate their day, while also giving yourself the space to be patient and kind.
5. Incorporate Faith and Tradition š
If your family leans on faith, incorporating Bible verses, prayers, or spiritual practices into your childās daily routine can create a sense of grounding. For Jacob, we use Bible verses as writing practice, and during holidays like Christmas and Easter, we use visual countdowns to help him understand important events. Building these traditions into your routine offers spiritual growth while maintaining structure.
6. Journal Your Journey š
Keeping a journal can help you track your childās progress and reflect on how far youāve come. When the tough days hit, looking back on past victories will remind you that youāre not alone in this journey. Journaling gives you the perspective needed to celebrate your wins and learn from the challenges. Remember the M in CALM is mindset-your mental health is important!
7. Give Yourself and Your Child Grace š
You wonāt get everything right every dayāand thatās okay. Give yourself the grace to make mistakes and learn from them. Give your child grace as they learn to navigate life with autism. By offering love, patience, and kindness, youāre making the journey more manageable for everyone.
š§Ā Struggling with daily routines and meltdowns?
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