Thank you so much for the encouraging words you guys have sent. We hope you had a Merry Christmas 🎄 ❤

Exploiting? It’s helping me understand my own autistic son, watching mikko helps me to know that my son isn’t alone and her actions reflect many of his and it helps me understand him- this is more of a learning and comfort to other parents who are going thru similar lifestyles…. My son was diagnosed as a level 2. And daily tasks can be extremely difficult and overstimulating and watching other parents navigate this, helps me tremendously- I would love to do videos the same, so it can help other’s parents as well.

You are the most gentle, kind, patient and loving woman/mother, I’ve seen. Your interactions with Mikko are extraordinary and you’re bringing Autism to the forefront. Mikko as well as your twins are beautiful. 💕

My grandson has autism and your channel has helped me a lot to recognize some of his actions. He is receiving outside help, he is 2years 4 months. Thank you for your channel because it helps us interact with him in a more positive way.🙏❤️💯

Thank you for openly sharing your life and your family with us. I am sure there are families that are grateful.

i had such a terrible mom, that I watch your channel to learn how to be a great mom. You are such a great human, and woman, and mother. I am so thankful to have a peek into your life. You give SO much education to so many people, you are just a wonderful part of the world and we are so lucky to have you.

Praying that Mikko gets all of her therapies in place, I believe whole heartedly that Mikko will speak once Speech therapy is in place. Mikko is very intelligent and understands more than you think. You and Chris are wonderful parents. Keep advocating for her in getting services. Happy 1st year Anniversary!!!!

In today's world many people reach out in the internet for help and guidance. Instead of love and acceptance many are met with criticism. Each time I watch a video. I give advice if I can and pray. Your patience with your daughter touches my heart, and I pray that it motivated other parents of children with autism to reach out and come together. If you form a community of Luke minded parents. Then the children can interact with others who understand the challenges and move forward together hopefully creating positive life long bonds. I pray for you. Have a blessed day.

Therapy via the schools as soon as possible is invaluable. Be prepared to listen to them when they show you different ways to help your daughter .

Precious, you and Chris are doing a wonderful job of helping your children to navigate life and living with autism. We appreciate you sharing your experiences with us. Some who may have been suffering in silence may now have some knowledge that will help them to help their child based on what you have been sharing. Thank you for sharing and all the best for a prosperous 2024. ❤

From experience, the earlier you can start speech therapy the better the outcome will be for Mikko. She already exhibits a lot of skills to build her speech. Do you need tools like flash cards, etc. they rly help build speech. I have a lot of very gently used like new educational material that I would like to gift to a child or family in need? If you have a PO Box and would be open I can send you pics and let you choose what you think would help Mikko and what you might like. Mikko is very bright and I believe she has an equally bright future ahead of her. Although this journey has challenges enjoy her and your family. De-stress your life when you can as much as you can. Continue your gentle life. I think you and Chris are so wonderful and am glad the algo brought me to your channel. Merry Christmas 🎄 and Happy New Year 🎉❤

There's so much I want to say, too much, but the gist is THANK YOU. Your page is helping me understand what my son has tried to explain.

Precious, you’re a great parent. My grandson recently diagnosed and your channel has helped me a lot. I see Mikko has made a lot of progress. Prays for your family.

Thank you Precious for sharing so succinctly. I resonate with your experiences as an adult who was living undiagnosed, with autism. However, I am decades older than you and have just recently discovered that I have been living with autism my entire life. You are doing a phenomenal work as an autism educator by sharing so transparently through your reality as a parent. Have a very blessed new year.

You show alot of the hard stuff and those 'family channels' makes them look perfect and no problems are shown. I think ur doing great Mrs. I love this channel it taught me alot

Merry Christmas and Happy New years blessings, Thank you for sharing your beautiful daughter and family, you have taught me so much. 🎉

I truly appreciate your videos. My grandson is 3 and alot like Mikko. Your video helps us deal with him and his needs. I believe that your videos should be more appropriated instead of judged. Thank you for being open and sharing with us. Just know it is helping families❤

Just because others may claim to benefit from a video, (or that may be the intention) doesnt mean it's not exploitation.

You are an “out of this world woman” ! You’ve been doing amazing! Congratulations! It’s a long journey “ until death do us apart” . Look for support for you. A church, community center, etc. Get a break to refuel to keep being as incredible as you are. Good bless you all .

Thank you both for sharing your family and your experiences with us. It really helps alot!

I think youre doing well with Mikko. Watching your channel is helping me come to grips with whats going on with my daughter

You two are good Parents. Make sure to take care of yourselves also. There are agencies who can help with her development as we as yours. Praying for you.

I have learned so much about Autism from your channel. Especially the realization of your own diagnosis has been particularly insightful. Thank you.

Thanks for being there. Somebody needed to show us, and it's been absolutely helpful.

The Gentle Life channel is the single most beneficial KZfaq channel for me. I appreciate you sharing and I’ve learnt and grown emotionally, as the mother of an autistic boy, since finding and watching this channel. Keep up the excellent content - as long as you are able to and all members of your family agree. With much sincere appreciation.

My only concern is Mikko not getting therapy (oc,pt, ext) and exposure to other children and environments. My nephew is on the spectrum and therapy did wonders for him and he started as soon as he was diagnosed at 3. Also, he had hair down to his butt and he would scream to get it washed and combed. One day his mom decided it was time to cut it into a small fro and it was the best decision ever. It dawned on her that she was attached to his hair, but he could not care less about it and stressing him to comb all that hair was not doing him any favors. He too hated water and his mom would hold him as she showered and with the hair gone it made things easier and helped to build his relationship with water. Once he got around other kids at his gifted school his natural institution to mimic helped with developing his speech and social interaction skills. He is now in a charter school and is blossoming with continuing therapy , iep, and reinforment at home.Trying to do it all on your own is a lot and may cause more harm than good even with the best of intentions as a parent. All kids will find a way to manipulate in some way. Its law as outlined in the secret kids handbook. Lol. You will find they will have tantrums with some and not with others. Once you make sure they are not harming themselves dig deep not to reward the behavior but use other ways to help them reset. Mikko is beautiful and also smart. Continue to empower her on the positives. Help is out there and may 2024 be the year of progression, no regression, and getting the help needed to get Mikko to the next level.

Love your channel and love the way you interact with Mikko. She is so sweet.God bless you and your family❤

Thank you so much for sharing. Your channel is truly a blessing. God bless you! Merry Christmas ❤❤.

I was an adult when I was Dx w autism also. I had hyperlexia (the super early reading) I also graduated a semester early, and my brain connects things very very fast.

Isn't time of the essence when it comes to getting her the therapies that she needs? I am not judging you because you seem to be an amazing mother, but it looks like she and you could really use some help from the experts.

❤ Keep fighting for your beautiful family’s happiness and Mikko’s progress❤

Precious Your channel has taught so many people about non-verbal autism. I've learned a lot. Thank You 🙏🏾🙏🏾

Love this video being autistic is a gift from God. Thank you, Lord! as an autistic person I just want to remind all the non-autistic people watching this video that autistic traits can be hard, but they are never inherently bad.

No I know your not exploiting her,I would like to see her interact with more children.Somewhere along the line a speech therapist may be a great assist.As she gets older a school for her will beneficial to her.Of course for a few hours not a full day.

Why is there so much criticism, disguised as "suggestions"? I am grateful they are sharing such knowledge about autism. Unless one is a professional, I wish they'd quit offering well-intentioned but still veiled rudeness. #ASilkCoveredFistStillHurts

@thegentlelife, thank you for opening up about your autism. Having a name to what made you different and beautifully unique is one of the greatest gift. It’s conversations like this that needs to be shared. many now adults were treated harshly by family because they just didn’t know better. Thanks for sharing your life and Mikko’s.❤❤

Thank you so much for sharing, Precious. What you have spoken of here helped me to understand about a friend I had many years ago whose child is autistic (which at the time, I had no clue was to what that was). The fact that you are an adult that is autistic and has been able to live a life would suggest to me that Mikko is going to be just fine. Again, holding you and your family in prayers of Joy and Happiness. It will be okay♥♥♥

Thank you so much. I think you and your wonderful family have helped many people.

Really love this video ❤ I struggle watching things with autistic people/characters because it sets off my autism, so simply listening to this to kinda catch up helps a lot!

Thank you for saying that about when kids exhibit behavior/s its not for no reason, and they communicate in whatever way they have to espress what they are going through. The gentle life over the perfect life

Hope you had Merry Christmas 🎄. Happy New Years and blessings for 2024. You are doing a great job 💜🤗🙏🏽.

What a great mom you are Precious! ❤😊

I will say that your aunt raising you was one of the most beneficial things in life. Talking about how she responded to different kids' needs in the manner they needed it expressed is so evident on how you talk about Matthew + Miko's situations and how you're loving them. So much power to you.

Keeping to self is a benefit. Thanks for further details of the signs of autism. ✌🏾

I don't know how I came across your channel. But I'm glad I did. I truly enjoy your content. I'm a 62yr old Meemah who has a grandson who is 17 and is on the spectrum. He has Asperger's. He was non verbal until about 4 almost 5. One minute he wasn't talking and the next a full blown conversationalist. He will be graduating next year from high school. Keep doing ALL that you are doing for your daughter. You're doing an amazing job with Miko. She is beautiful with her crown of gorgeous curls. She will be the BEST she can be because of y'all. Oh and I have to mention, she has her dad's face ❤. I can relate because I wear my dad's face everyday. Blessings to you and your family.

Happy Holidays and Happy New Year. You're doing great as a mother. Congratulations on your pregnancy, and keep up the great work you're doing with your family. May GOD bless all of you always.

You’re doing a very good job Precious as explaining what you and your family go thru on a regular basis and the struggles as well too since if I’m not mistaken you got what your daughter got to far as an learning disability bcuz I look at it that it’s only temporary and she will overcome bcuz I watch your channel on KZfaq and I see the patience that you and your husband have with y’all daughter and sometimes the twins try to intervene too which is a good thing too so I see the progress and I know it’s not easy bcuz I’ve a physical challenge young man and he doesn’t walk at the moment and he’s 30yrs old and he crawls all day but he bathe cooks shops and go to work and hang out with friends go to parties but their were once upon of time he wasn’t do any of the things I just mentioned bcuz I shadow him and kept him clost fit to my hip and we didn’t go to parties or go out too much bcuz I got tired of the stares and glares and then losing my mother 4 days before he turned a year old so everything was going wrong and on top of that his father didn’t want nothing to do with him but he does now bcuz of all the accomplishments he have overcome but my son don’t want nothing to do with him but the bottom line I’m trying to say to you is that I believe she’s not going to be like the way she is by being a nonverbal toddler bcuz I got faith in her that she’s going to blossom like a flower and talk up a storm then y’all not going to be able to shut her up but it will be a beautiful thing to actually have a conversation with her bcuz she already saying certain words so she’s there

Oh, I forgot. You’re not exploiting your baby. You’re definitely bringing awareness and showing others how to begin. Merry Christmas ❤💚

your channel has helped my family so much with our grandson.. have help us learn to deal with raising a child with autism...

As someone who has their own small channel about our experiences with autism I think as long as we are mindful it’s ok and also necessary. Without channels like yours and others i would have remained afraid, confused and overwhelmed after our daughter’s diagnosis. This journey can be extremely isolating and it’s been very helpful for my mental health to see other families living similar experiences. Most people don’t understand the impact that nonverbal autism can have on a family unit.

I don't think it's exploitation. I think it's educational and informative personal sharing that could help many with knowledge. Weather they have children or not

I am not trying to be harsh. But please use the earnings from your channel to put your daughter into speech, occupational, and ABA therapy. Trying to manage her autism without professional guidance or professional intervention is probably not the best approach for long-term development.

OMG!!!!! Thank you so much for answering my question!! I know I worded it pretty weird, so thank you for understanding what I meant! 😭

I think you do really well with Mikko. However, as a fellow ASD mom, I highly suggest you put her in school already. She'll get therapy she needs and she'll be around her peers. My son grew leaps and bounds once he started school and he began right after he turned 3. The sooner the better.

Merry Christmas 🎉 to you and your family.

Hi there, I just wanted to say that I really admire your peaceful attitude about everything you explain. You remind me so much of myself, except that I am more emotional when I'm in front of a camera or other people. But, the matter of fact acceptance of something so....hard is what I relate to. It's like well, there's no changing this so I might as well learn how to move forward. I have a 5 year old son that is austistic and 3 is exactly the same time that we noticed big changes in him. He had been very mild, silly hearted, and easy going before that. I could go on forever on what our journey has been like but I would like to just add to the hope for Mikko because my son can talk and has even gained conversational skills in the last year, he's not speaking a mile a minute like our older daughter but he is making progress and I homeschool them both. So, keep pressing forward......we can do this!! We were chosen for this life for a reason, and yes, I am pretty sure that I am autistic too. It's very nice to finally understand some things about myself that I didn't growing up. ❤❤❤

Your videos are helping people a lot.

Love each other, communicate and find support. Fight for your family w everything in u. Together u all will win this battle. I hear u love each other. Hope it will get better w time. Faith that u can / will love again. Love is the most important thing u need. Please don’t give up on each other 🙏🏾❤ Ur videos have help me w my granddaughter ❤

Hi Precious, I have something supportive to say as a regular viewer. I understand the exploitation question from a certain standpoint (there are some youtube channels or situations where it has felt that way to me before), but I wanted to express the good that your channel has done for me as an autistic person who is undiagnosed and didn't realize I had it until I was 30. Raising awareness is an amazing and sorely needed thing, but it also feels so heartwarming and therapeutic to see the approach you use with your daughter and yourself among a world of ableism and misunderstanding with Autism. In my own experience, that misunderstanding of Autism permeates so many things in life and causes a lot of pain. Having your work here be representative of another option/way is healing, at least for me. I also don't take it lightly or think it's easy for you, I recognize it's not a perfect process (like anything dealing with our mental health needs), I respect the effort and heart you put in. Thank you for this vulnerable work that you do 💚💚

Happy new year praying for you and your family thank you for your videos it’s has helped me with my grand son he’s non verbal we taking one day at a time god bless you and your family

Please don't listen to negative bs ...it hurts me even...exploit...really?!?!!!I'm sorry...ur the perfect parent.period.❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

One thing I've picked up on straight away is that you cut the camera when Miko starts having a meltdown. A lot of "parents" continue to film them during that time under the guise of "education" which is just wrong.

Merry Christmas!🎉🎉🎉

I love your channel! Thanks for being so open. There's one thing I'd like to request. It's not a criticism, just a request. Might you say, "I'm autistic," instead of, "I have autism"? Autism isn't something you have, it's something you are, and even just a small change like that can go a long way when conveying that to your viewers. ❤️❤️ (I am also autistic.)

I just wanna say I have 2 little girls who are autistic. My teenager is about to be 13. She's verbal high-functioning, but she has a lot of trouble with her emotions. My ten year old Is nonverbal and she's very similar to your daughter Mikko,That's why I started watching your videos in the first place.I learn a lot of great tips from watching your videos and i wanna thank you For allowing us into that part of your life. You are very inspirational, and I've had easier times with my daughter because I tried some of the tips that you use with your daughter and they work. You are an amazing parent. Keep putting out that content God bless you.

Merry Merry Christmas 🤶🏾🎄🎅🏽

Thank for sharing I have a grandson who is autistic he’s 10 lives in another state and his nonverbal. You’re teaching me and showing me so much. God bless you. Please keep sharing. We need it and it’s important. We need to know how to help our babies. I get a little anxiety just to get out I don’t read, very well. I have a lot of anxiety when you said you were autistic always known or something wrong with me but I’m thankful for my life my God and my family. 23:15

You're doing a great job

I honestly don't think you're exploiting her. Your channel has taught me a lot about Autism. I love how you strive to find ways to make her comfortable. You don't give up. I feel you empower others who maybe struggling secretly. Although, i don't know anyone who has Autism personality I do recall a time when i was out in public place there was a young boy who was making moaning sounds and his parent was trying to keep him quite the office staff was so disrespectful to her. They told her you have to keep him quite. The mom apologized and said she didn't have a sitter but she was sorry for the problems he caused he has Autism. I was in shock how rude they were but i never understood why he was moaning or why he can't communicate. With your videos i keep an eye out around me to see if there is anyone i can help or defend. Thank you for sharing your informative video. You are truly inspiring. ❤️

I really admire u and u are doing great with ur daughter

Thanks for sharing 💜💜💜💜💜

Please know that you are greatly APPRECIATED. You are AMAZING! And you will help MILLIONS of people around the world who are on their own journey. I have shared your channel with my two friends who are caregivers of their grandchildren. One friend has a beautiful young granddaughter, and the other friend has a young grandson. I hope to introduce them someday. Both children are autistic and have the love and support of their grandparents. I’m honored to know these beautiful people. Thank you for sharing your journey. You give HOPE to so many. Thank you. ❤❤❤ 26:00

Do what you need to do to maintain your sanity.I don’t feel like you are doing anything wrong you actually are helping others by sharing your experience keep up the God work 😊😉#allcrownsnocap

Boy we knew this was coming! 😅 🍿 😂 🫖 🍿

Not sure what early intervention has been done you definitely should start involving professional therapist!!!!

Hello, your video is very helpful. I haven't gotten around to starting a channel for my granddaughter. She was not tested but she has some trauts as Mikko. My grand had a speech delay and was very sensitive to loud noises and some foods. However, i started researching aytism and got lots of toys and tools. I noticed early her love for music and how singing calmed her. She is three now and chooses the karaoke songs to sing. She knows most of the songs but still her responsive communication needs help. The little videos teaching about potty, school etc help as she teaches herself. I also got a full length mirrow that she goes and practice speaking and dancing in front of. The little wooden puzzles helped to. I got her the ones with animals, transpirtation musical equipment etc. Key is to develop their interest. They learn and do thing in their time. My grand is doing so well now. Speaking only when she wants but is very smart. Mikko is smart too so do the things she enjoys.

Mum is so beautiful❤🥰,God Bless🙏🏾✨✝️

I don’t think this family is exploiting their daughter. This channel is very informative. Some people are so judgmental. Please don’t stop making videos.

All my blessings ❤❤

Luv d candles❤, God Bless🙏🏾✨✝️

Was it easy to potty train? I was hoping for some advice on teaching my granddaughter to use the bathroom.

The family channels are 100% exploiting their children. The other autism channel “Fathering Autism” also exploits his daughter Abby. However, I do not believe you are exploiting Mikko. I feel like if Mikko didn’t want the camera around you would put it away. You’re a great mom and you’re not doing this to make money off her. I can see why people would think you’re exploiting her but if they look at the bigger picture they would realize you’re not. I think you’re doing something good with your channel. ❤️

I have a deaf sibling and autistic relative and was exposed to both communities. Honestly I am glad i am aware there are other people that are different and are loving people.

Have you ever thought about using water issues with play time toward helping not being scared of water: like go to a park water spray or let her play with water holes outside: maybe used colors bath time: or even used bubbles and drawing art in bathroom : sit in baby pool with her toys and used different textures, plus maybe you paint on her hands or maybe her toes , or maybe used a doll in bath time , let her watch you giving a doll a bath and let her do the same what see watching you .

Good questions

ANYONE can argue that ANY chil shown online is being exploited. Hell, it could be argued that anyone who is not filmed saying "iam doing this of my own free will" is being exploited. The difference between YOUR channel is how YOU are as a family. Theres something different about this. The intention to HELP people is there. You dnt have these long videos with the camera in her face like that with other families. I have a teenwith adhd and 2 severely autistic toddlers. I have mental health issues myself and truly believe my Dx of bpd and bipolar is wrong and iam exploring the possibility of whether I am autistic or not as there are so many things on th autistic side that explain how I'm feeling or what I'm doing better than the dx I was given. THANKS FOR SHARING YOUR FAMILY TO HELP EDUCATE OTHERS AND MAKE US KNOW WE ARE NOT ALONE ❤

If the benefits come,it alows her the Gentle life time needed to secure Mikko,all the money being made,on you tube,with non-essential matters,why not be blessed,with essential matters.

16:50 it isnt impossible for her to learn to speak "normally", but I don't see a point in thinking about that, and besides, what is normal? Everyone communicates different. Also, got a question: how is sensation for you and miko? Like for me, im highly oversensitive to sounds and lights and smell and texture, but rarely feel pain. I like cold and hate hot with anything (weather, food, drinks, water etc)

They put out family videos and also provide information about autism and how to cope with it. I don't feel like they are exploiting their child.

Is she not in therapies? Because if not, that’s terrible. It’s important. She gets the support that she needs.

Hi precious, your channel help me alot. My daughter just turned 2 in December, she's not talking yet, she babble alot, she don't usually answer to her name, hard to follow commands, whenever she need snacks she will bring it to you for help. Her doctor keep telling me there is nothing going on with her I should just limit her TV time. I put her in daycare now she say some words but mostly in songs. She have a therapy that goes to her daycare every Tuesday to help her. And another on Friday. Any advice? I'm looking in getting her in early intervention to see if she's autistic. I have read alot about autism. At this point idk what to do. Sometimes she have a lot of melt down

Hey this is Britany I didn’t know any other way of reaching out but I am 24 years old and was literally diagnosed with Autism myself as of January 3rd 2024 and I was just trying to figure out what or how to go about things sense this is all new to me or do I just go about my life as I have been please reply back

Meditation/ yoga , not just as a solution but for purpose

Oh yeah I forgot we used headphones for my nephew when he was younger in school could not tolerate other noise from could not stand to around people when eating because of the smell or chewing but I know Mikko will be fine

@bencrawshaw (what ever) must not have a child with autism. Neither do I. But he or she apparently had nothing positive to say. The KZfaq forum is an outlet and to allow other parents that are experiencing a child with autism a way of communicating what they are going through. I listen to Ms. Precious who also have twins to raise. She is doing the best she knows how gor HER child. She is trying everything she can to make HER child with autism become as self sufficient as possible. Way to Go Mom. Great Job ! 🎉

I don’t think you’re exploiting Mikko. You’re clearly making the videos to help educate others who have children with autism or just educate anybody who don’t have kids on what autism is and how it affects people. I just don’t like how you don’t have her in speech therapy yet.

At first I thought your family only had one daughter Mikko. Then I saw the video that you have a son who is on the spectrum. So is there four children or 3? I’m sorry I just haven’t seen all your videos. Also I wonder why it wasn’t apparent to you all that Mikko was autistic early on when you already were familiar with austim through your son.

Mikko is definitely being exploited, unfortunately. Mikko is a child who cannot consent having her medical issues, and every aspect of her growth broadcast online. That is by definition exploitation. I think you have good intentions but you could tell your story, as a parent, in videos just like these that don’t include her. She deserves her privacy.

Mikko is going to be fine do you have word cards with pictures paste them on the wall do your basic ones first a for apple then start placing them in a sentences on the wall that should help

Oh my granddaughter ever talk what steps do I need to take to help my granddaughter with autism she's two years old