One of the biggest challenges for us has been Mason’s lack of verbal communication skills. Most 4 year olds can tell you if they don’t feel well or if they hurt themselves somehow. Having a child with autism and limited verbal abilities means we’re often left guessing what is wrong like you would with an infant. When cold and flu season arrives, I develop this overwhelming anxiety and worry about Mason getting sick. It’s bad enough worrying about him getting hurt and not being able to tell us but when he gets sick, it’s an elevated level of stress of all of us, especially for Mason. His annual checkups at the pediatrician are enough to make us sweat for days so when he gets sick, we usually have a nurse come to the house to see if he needs a prescription or additional care. We’re very fortunate to have that option as I know many autism families have to brave the doctors office or the ER with their nonverbal children—a task that I don’t wish on anyone! So to the people who think we’re antisocial germaphobes, you’re absolutely spot on! We are. I refuse to put my kids in the shopping carts at the grocery store in fear of them contracting something. Anything. Like most things in our crazy little life, we do everything that other families do, we just do them a little differently. And that’s okay with me! #seeyouafterfluseason #masonandme #autismacceptance