ABSTRACT
Our son Daniel is a healthy, smart, affectionate, fun-loving 6-year-old boy with a passion for the alphabet and trains. It isn’t until you meet and spend time with Daniel that you also learn that he has autism—with difficulties in social situations, emotional regulation, and sensory processing. As a family, we face daily challenges, from the intense drama bundled up in our small boy that can be triggered from the most innocuous of daily events, to his delay processing sensory information, such as pain, through to struggles accessing and acquiring services. We have had many minor victories, and have watched as our son has settled into the school system, yet we bear the day-to-day stress of anticipating what could turn a good day bad and the anxiety of what the future holds for our son. Indeed, studies show that special needs parents suffer from PTSD, much like an embattled soldier. The need to be on high alert, to anticipate potential triggers of a meltdown and possible dangerous situations, means we continue to find our path.
