My son has autism and he was nonverbal until about 4 yrs old and didn't get fully potty trained until 5yrs old.I sent him to therapy for speech and occupational therapy and it helped I cried and I prayed alot and now he is almost 8 and I cant get him to stop taking,its a all day long thing but I love it.Dont give up hope God works miracles and my son is living proof of that. He functions good with kids now but at first he wouldn't pay them any mind and wouldn't make eye contact but he is doing it now to God be the Glory.hang in there things will get better,take baby steps and enjoy the small moments.

My son is now 24. He is severely autistic and is about 2 years old mentally. He will never be independent. He will never have a partner or children. His quality of life is practically nonexistent. He can't be alone for a minute. He has no interests or hobbies...no attention span. It us a nightmare to try to spend time with him because he has mania in addition to autism, so he can become aggressive. He spreads poop at night. What I'm trying to say is that it is incredibly hard. People without a child affected with severe autism can understand how hard this is. My ex husband and I did divorce. He now has full custody of my son because I cannot physically manage him. Autism affects the ENTIRE family and most families don't survive it. I'm so impressed by this beautiful family. They are just so loving and dedicated. God bless you!

My son was diagnosed at age 3. He is an Aspect and high functioning. The older my son became, the less the symptoms became due to early intervention. He is now 25 years old. He is living at home. He went to college for 2 years . He had a 3.4 average but could not handle the social aspect of college. He is currently learning to drive, we found a company that works with individuals that need extra help. He hopes to find a job. It has been a long hard journey. Blessings to all who have children that have different needs.❤

My ASD son is almost 29 years old and I still struggle with the situation, I'm still grieving the son that I dreamed of having. Don't get me wrong, I love my son and I'm very protective of him, I have given up on my own dreams and goals just to fully dedicate my life to him. But in some situations such as mine (with absolutely no support from anyone), a grieving heart will never, never heal. We learn to accept and embrace what has been given to us, but still, we are living a life we did not expect to live.

I started crying 10 seconds before Andrew started crying. I can't imagine what he was going through. I started teaching children with autism this year, and I have learned so much from your channel.

I used to wish so desperately to never get a child with a disability. Everyone around me acted like it is the worst thing that could ever happen to you. Today I know quite a lot of people with a disability. They certainly struggle with some things, but they can do other things, or do it in a different way. And most of them are happy. We tend to measure happiness with success, with wether or not you find a partner but my autistic aunt is very happy with making candles every day. Now I wish to have a happy child.

Autism parents here. We can feel every single word you guys said. We still disagree with each other on things but we are getting better on listening and understanding. The best thing we can give to our kids is “mommy and daddy love each other”.

My son was diagnosed with autism when he was 2.5 y.o., at the time 1995/96 there were no internet, so little resources. We made friends with the occupational therapist, psychologist, physiotherapist etc, got some photocopied reading materials, and got to work. We worked very hard everyday with earning a living and giving him all the support he needed. In short, he was able "recover" from a lot of the traits and long story short he graduated with a 2nd class honours degree in International Affairs and is working as a writer today. He is 27 this year. Everyday I keep my fingers crossed but so far we have allowed a lot of his own space. Today I have switched my own job from engineering to working with the special needs. The journey is very fulfilling.

I completely understand. I was like her. My wife was like him. I took it out on her because I saw it as unfit care to not address the autism and therapy. I made the mistake of putting my son above my wife. It's still a journey but we're together and love one another. My wife is now my priority and as she became more capable, my son received the benefits. I came to realize that my wife is my son's biggest supporter, caretaker, and champion and I have to be hers in order for her to fulfill those roles.

My 11 year old son is nonverbal. Haven't seen or heard from his father is 7 years. When my son was 4, his father told me that he wasn't going to come around or "help" anymore until my son was potty trained and talking. Better that he is gone. No one needs that shittines around them.

Myself and my wife as of today are about to spend the weekdays apart and swap at the weekends. By watching this video, this is exactly the same in our life. I have just recently been diagnosed with ADHD and have struggled the whole time with my boy who is an ASD. We have grown apart and I am struggling with this and then came Covid-19 , being in Melbourne/Au with all the lockdowns has broken me. I hopefully can pull through like you have and get my family back together. Really great video. Struggling dad

I'm a single mom of a 3 year old and I have no support and people don't understand how hard it is going it alone but I'm absolutely so proud of my child for how far he's come. Having someone, even if its a complete stranger, means a lot, thank you for understanding! Its wonderful to see such great co parenting.

How the human life can be so harsh, painful and difficult, but yet also so fragile, joyful and beautiful.

So raw, open and honest. What great parents!

We were so close to separating, but we didn't. I thought my autistic twins did get us closer to each other as much as they drove us apart. We are Muslims and I was also angry even though i would hide it, It could have been easier if everyone was aware but i was judged alot and heard a lot as what I have to do to make thier autism go away. If my husband wasn't stronger than me in dealing with this and even protecting me from verbal attacks from people who wasn't autism aware i don't know what would i have done. I can say we are together because after God my husband kept us together at a time I was giving up. We are in a good place now.

I cried so hard watching this. What wonderful people these two are. Each so valid in their feelings. What a difficult situation. I have to admit this is why I have decided to not have children. I’m aware of my own weaknesses…I don’t think I could handle it. I’m so impressed by her ability to be strong for her family and see her own areas of growth. God bless this family ❤️🙏🏽

My daughter was diagnosed with high-functioning autism (Asperger’s) when she was 8 years old. I always knew she was quirky, but it didn’t occur to me that anything was “off” because she’s really intelligent, artistic, and a straight A student. She struggles socially, though.

Been married 31 years 3 kids on spectrum. Our oldest son diagnosed 4 yrs old then our 4th child at 5 years old then our baby boy at 3 years old. Hubby and I haven't always seen eye to eye on handling meltdowns. But I know because of our strong faith and trust in God it makes our relationship work. I thank God for my husband he's amazing and it took me to learn to listen to him and understand he's hurt also. He would always assure me and say your not in this alone. I'm here in this fight with you. I had to learn to let him be dad. Let him get his experience let him see that I appreciate his advice. Just like I was learning he has to also. I can't do this alone.

I respect this family more than words can say! I wish more people could be more honest and selfless like these folks! I pray that they will be able to minister to many who aren’t able to process their feelings and struggles in detail they way these two have.

Yes it can happen....my husband and I broken up twice.... he's 17 yrs now.... our son....has taught us.... to be humble......our family still together.....

3 Years on and still getting comments. You guys have done a fantastic job bringing so much to light,. I am a father of a beautiful 3 year old girl with autism. Loving her quirkiness has never been an issue for me. The reason for that is because of my older brother who sadly passed 6 years ago. He had severe ADHD among many many other troubles in life. However, because I grew up with his quirkiness I was given the blessing of not feeling the need to fit in. He taught me so much about how to see past social pressures by being himself entirely. I took so much of that to heart and when my daughter came I knew my brother's sacrifice of having a tough life would not go to waste. I was able to put aside judgements with ease. I know it can be hard, but I truly think as soon as you can get rid of that box that we "should" all fit in, things get a lot easier and even enjoyable. Autism is simply another way to live. And in the words of Temple Grandin's mother, Eustacia Cutler, "different, not less".

Oh my goodness!! I can relate with your story because I have felt exactly the way you both felt. I rejected the fact that my daughter had autism, I felt I was the only one that could look after her, I was ashamed to let people know I have a special needs child and that sent me to being depressed and actually felt like taking my life. Until I accepted my inadequacy and sought help, it was difficult to cope. It affected my relationship too and my husband left. I was called a witch that I was the one that put a spell on my child. It’s more difficult accepting autism withIn the black African community. I am now sharing my journey on KZfaq channel just like you guys but trying to help remove the stigma within the African community and trying to help BAME members. Thank you guys.

This is so honest. The rawness and vulnerability is so real and heavy but at the same time feels like huge weight lifted. Thank you all for doing this and being one hundred percent real and open. 🙏🙌💙

My son has a microdeletion at 2 months, seizure disorder, G-tube at 11 months, then now he when he is 2 years old, he was referred for a behavioural assesment. Possible, he is on ASD. I reached to the point that I told my husband that I cant be a wife nomore, I just wanted to focus on our son. I was going to separate but everytime I will see our son, that keeps me holding on. He is been through a lot so I am thinking he needs his mama and dada. I have realized that God gave our son to us to strengthen our marriage more. No perfect marriage but we decided to hold on and compromise for our son. He needs us. Our son is perfect because God made him. Apparently, I can relate to both of you esp to Tara. I blamed my husband too , I didnt trust him and I ended blaming myself too. Every morning, I so grateful for my son’s life. Its not just the way that we wanted but God has bigger plans. And I enthrust him on my son’s life and our marriage as well. To both of you, Hang in there! God is working on Dylan and he will be fine😃 Godbless your family🙏

This video is very touching. I too got divorced and have a good friendship with my X. My son has Aspergers Syndrome which is a high functioning form of autism. He never had speech issues but would not look you in the eye for years. Answering questions was difficult for him and at one point I thought he might be deaf. I went to many doctors that refused to diagnose him and it took a complete stranger to say to me, “I think your son has Aspergers”. Once I researched this I found that many of the symptoms were right on. I also became an advocate for my son. One day I was dropping him off at school after a doctors appointment and I opened the door to his classroom to hear every student say, “Oh no not Miles!” That day I took him out of the traditional school and found a non-public school for special needs kids. His journey began and today he is 25, in college earning a degree in Automotive, on a bowling league and has several friends, including those of his brothers, mine and his dads. We’ve come a long way and appreciate you putting your personal experiences together on this issue of Autism. Thanks!

I'm glad you found your way back to each other. 😁

I had a child with leukemia and my husband and I went through pretty much the same emotions as the two of you. We also had another child and it was very difficult. My husband and I never got back together because leukemia eventually got worse by the year. Drs had told us our son would live approximately 9 months and God was good because he was with us for 6 ys and 2 months. His father could not face the illness and felt that I had to be the the one taking care of the children and he was the provider, but I found that nobody was taking care of me. Being a good parent is very difficult when everyone in the family unit is healthy, so just as the two of you found out, it can be very trying when there is sickness in the mix. I hope i have not gone on too much about myself, but i admire the two of you for working this out so your family is together. I will keep your family in my prayers.

I had 3 children with no disabilities but have experience working with autistic kids, and witnessed the high divorce rate within those families. So happy to see this happy ending. This couple is just beautiful, deserve each other and I hope can help others in the same situation. It’s the loss of a dream with the birth of a disabled child but life can get better like this family has learned.

Incredible vulnerability. These stories need to be heard. Thank you!

I was also told I was a terrible parent. I actually got told to use a sticker chart, as if I had t tried everything before we got a diagnosis for our daughter. I am very blessed that my husband and I have survived this journey together. It is such a difficult road that there is no map for that I will never judge another situation. I applaud you for showing us your tears! I feel you in a deep way! God bless you all!

Thank you for being so honest and transparent. 🙏🏽

Thank you so much for putting this out there! I needed this...your situation was my situation and our relationship was not able to be saved so thank you for understanding that not all can be saved but this gave me that finally someone else understands what my life was like...is like. For a small moment I was not alone.

Bless you for your story and raw honesty and bless every parent who gets up every single day to love and get through the next day.

You guys made me cry. Thank you thank you for being so honest and teach us about the power of love. Now I understand more my cousin who is a single mom with an Autistic child. Hugs and blessings for your family 🙏🙏❤️

This was my inaugural video into your story and autism journey. My wife shared it days after we received our son's initial assessment (the second, and thus confirmatory one, came a week later). It was timely -- that could have been part of our story. It was also a turning point in our marriage -- it help us tell each other, we want to help our son together.

Thank you so much for sharing, being real and honest, it is such a blessing and so very very helpful.

I just got this on my feed and what a wonderful blessing. Grateful for this realness in their journey as parents . This is so common struggle for many parents with ASD.

You are both admirable in your self-awareness, honesty, and humility. I think you provide a really valuable video for any couple facing big challenges. Thank you for posting and for sharing some of your hard work. This is beautifully done.

Thank you, your story gives me hope in the midst of my heartbreak. Thank you for your beautiful message. It’ll all be okay God willing.

I can’t express how much I appreciate the rawness and full transparency of this video, I could imagine it wasn’t easy. It seems both my husband and I mirror your EXACT experiences which reminds us we are not alone. I am so happy to see you both growing strong and continuing to help each other through the hardships. I have now subscribed to your channel as you are the first KZfaqrs I have related to so deeply, so thank you both! 🙏🏾🧡

Thank you for being so honest and open. You two are fantastic parents and ALL your kids seem very happy and amazing. You see them. You see their true spirits. I am learning so much from the channel, and BOTH of you. I'm glad your relationship made it through all the stress after all.xoxo

I'm so glad you are together. And on the same page. I wish you will keep this way. You will be challenged again along the way. Do not give up. It's good that you had balance in your relationship so that you were able to choose. That was not my case. My husband was narcisistic , had moved us out of my country, I had to switch to English which I did not comand and we had 3 little boys 5, 4 and 2. The journey has been painful and still is. We are divorcing just now, after 25 years.....

Thank you for doing this video. It’s is just what our family needed to hear right now. 🙏

Ohhh you two are just so beautiful! So young with so much knowledge and learning and growing. Keep up the love, all of your kids are so lucky to have you as their parents. xx.

Being an ASD mom myself you have truly spoken to me and how I am feeling. Thank you for being so open and being so strong. Autism is hard but we consider our sons autism his super power. Takes soooo much work to quit being negative and blaming yourselves. We are still in the early stages but trying to stay happy and positive. Your videos are such a huge support for me. Thank you!!!

My heart is with you. Thank you both for sharing such a private moment. It truly shows what amazing Parents you are again at raw your emotions are!

Praying for your success in maintaining this beautiful friendship, can only imagine the love you both have for your children.

You all are doing it… REAL. Most couples don’t. Thank you and Bless you.

Heart felt thought on everything, it is nice to come to terms with your partner. I have been lucky to know someone who made it and won't give up. Great job, you are good parents.

You both have evolved so much, and you both seem so understanding of each other, that I hope you 2 can get back together at some point.

I was so emotional watching this video. Honestly, I cried. You are both inspirations. You are both amazing parents, especially you, the mother.

Thank you so much for sharing your story. We can relate with much of what you’ve experienced in how one of our children’s unique needs have impacted our relationship and the ways we’ve both experienced and viewed their needs. Even just hearing that other couples have dealt with the same and come through to the other side is so uplifting. Thank you.

Thank you for your true honesty. It’s what I needed to hear and that the feelings I have inside are normal and that I’m not alone Xxoo

This is so honest. My respect for both of you.

Thank you so much for sharing. I too can relate with your story. My son has Autism & is turning 5 very soon. About two months ago my wife & I were even considering seperation as well, but with communication & lot's of praying we are still together. Some day's harder than other's but we try to understand one another. Communication is key. May GOD keep on Blessing you & your beautiful family.

Beautiful. Heartfelt. Honest raw footage of your private family life. This will help all families with many different parenting challenges- not exclusively Autism. Hats off to you for sharing this. So delighted you found each other again. It made me smile with joy.

So happy for you. Great parents you will get through ❤️

Balling!!Thankyou for sharing that very intimate conversation, I'm very sure it will inspire many parents to look at themselves and reevaluate there relationships, we should all be treating our spouses as our best friends,and team work makes the dream work when it comes to raising our children, especially with additional needs,we cant do it alone x

Your honesty touches my heart.

Omg yessss!!! Watching this makes me cry because this is what I’m recently going through but this video gives me hope that things will get better 🙏🏻 my husband was in disbelief when I would tell him I felt something was wrong with my baby, I was called crazy and even though it took me a while to get my son help I’m glad I followed my instincts❤️ thank you for sharing!

Thank you for being so candid. Much of what you both have said I see in our life and relationship.

This breaks my heart I'm high functioning autistic and the way I'm taking this is brutally offensive like marriage shouldn't be broken up because of autism. That just damn well offends me so hard like I happen to be a heavyweight boxer with high functioning autism and I'm damn good at it for who I am as an equal human being much like yourselves like it just makes me sick to my stomach that people look at us different and it's no wonder why I'm having a container home out in the country with a barn for 4 of my horses because of the way people are to certain screw the big boujee ass cities it's a selfish atmosphere and yeah I'm better off putting a gate in front of my property. I can appreciate y'all doing whatever is right for y'all's own good but autism shouldn't be the blame for anything and it's no wonder why I'm not social and just a wild stallion that just doesn't really talk to people because of what I have to see or deal with. I just feel threatened nowadays like this is just absolutely heartbreaking and offensive like a family is a family that loves eachother no matter what. Now we just feel like we're the blame for everybody's problems and IT DAMN WELL SHOULDN'T BE THAT WAY!!! BECAUSE AUTISM IS JUST SOMETHING WE'RE BORN WITH!!! 😠😠😠😠😠 now back to y'all's business.

I appreciate your time and honesty and love so much. Just getting started with our own journey. My son is two. And I truly aspire to be ❤️

New generations often challenge the older generations. I love that. It makes for bigger love. More unconditional. Great journey you are on together as a family. It's a journey of the heart for sure :) I love that mum understood early on that communication is not necessarily about words. Communicating through feeling is such a wonderful way.

As a mother of a 9 year old with autism I am thankful for this video. 🙏🏽 at this point we are working with our son and trying help him to make friends.

This was incredible. Thank you so much for sharing. Praying that you continue to love and lean on each other above all else🙏🏾

Guys thank you for this , i seeeriously needed this video, seeing your beautiful family learn and understand and grow has helped clear my head and make room for changes ... I wish your family all the best and thank you !!!!!

You can't know how happy it made me to hear that you got back together and that it worked out for you! I am always deeply saddened when I hear that a couple has split for whatever reason when they have kids together and seeing you both in love again and being willing to work on yourselves and your relationship, knowing that your children will grow up in a home where they are loved and have stability in their relationship with their family, is so incredibly beautiful! Thank you so much for sharing your story.

Really great video. I admire your honesty and openness to sharing your struggle with others. I am glad the relationship has survived and appreciate the fact that you are still supporting those parents who don’t have that partner support.

What a lovely episode as is all of the others.....Thank you both for sharing your stories, I can understand how hard and challenging it has been for you both and am so happy you came through it and are now married ! You have a beautiful happy family and sharing your journey will most certainly help others .X

I love this so much. So real and honest . I think a lot of us can relate to so much of your story. 💙

Thanks a lot for sharing your story , absorbed some valuable suggestions to implement, loads of love and wishes to your family.

Two loving emotionally intelligent parents .. I wish you all the best ...

Thankyou.Im great Grandma .It was a beautiful video,and it made me cry .My great granddaughter has autism. What a shock to us all.Will I ever be able to understand. I'm an old lady,had life very very hard ,but to tell you the truth is don't think I will ever ever ever understand. I read books,I have a very open mind.but to see my grandsons face and how he deals with it is amazing when he is with his child.This is the sad part for me even though my mind is open,I am embarrassed angry and think I'm too old to fully accept the situation. Thankyou for this lovely video ,and I hope it helps many people.

I am broken. I have two boys, both with adhd and the oldest autistic, my partner also has adhd, and this mom has reached her limit. I am a shell of a person that I once was. My relationship on the brink, my autistic son breaking me down with his behaviors and unwillingness to follow rules or directions, a younger son with a mood of either meltdown or chatting your ear off and a partner who just doesn’t get it. I don’t know how much more I can take. Been crying all day when I stumbled upon this gem.

So beautiful raw honest and extremely helpful to me thank you for sharing it’s helping me make sense of the last 11 years. My love and laughter to you all such a wonderful wee family xx

I cried several times throughout the telling of this story. I'm so soooo happy that their story has a happy ending. I really like the raw honesty about the status of their relationship and that the 2 were able to recognize that time apart would be good for them and hopefully moving forward they would have the tools to prevent the path to resentment. I don't have a child with autism but this retelling of their family's story helped me get a better understanding and I can completely relate to particular issues discussed for example the constant bickering about who's life is harder and how it's easy to get stuck in that cycle. It's a good reminder to break that cycle by recognizing your spouses equally important role in the family.

Thank you so much for opening up about your history and how you have overcome these struggles! It deifnitely hits close to home and I need to actively communicate more with my partner

This was so perfect really helped me understand what my sons father felt and why things went the way they went this is powerful of both of you I appreciate your videos alot being a autism mom is so overwhelming i cant stop trying to understand more 😞

As a speech therapist, thank you so much for sharing your story. You are helping so many families know they are not alone in this and that their feelings and reactions to a diagnosis are 100% valid.

I love how honest and raw this is. You guys are amazing parents. Dylan is so very lucky.

God bless you.May God bless you with courage and good relationship that make you better parents than you used to be.

You guys are so exceptionally generous. Thanks for sharing.

Your story reminders me how my husband was badly treated but I was healed with my anger and my husband is most loved, valued and cherished now.

Wow, absolutely amazing story and highly insightful! Much respect and thank you so much for sharing

This both terrified and enlightened me, but its the honest reality of what may be in store for me. Your pain is valuable, and I appreciate you recognizing that and sharing with the world.

This made me cry so much 😭😭😭this channel has help me tremendously in my journeywith my daughter thank you so much for being so real❤

So impressed with how honest both of you are, sharing the hard feelings and truth. Shows how loving you are. ❤️

You did your best with the knowledge you had at the time .

Wow. I fell upon your channel yesterday then hesitated before I watched this video because I didn't know there was a happy ending. Thank you! My husband and I have a 6 year old daughter with autism who was diagnosed about 18 months ago. We are in survival mode and have seriously been going through exactly what you both were talking about. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I get so frustrated with him and what I think is his denial. I'm in an autism bubble desperately clawing at anything to give my daughter a calm secure environment. Watching this video helped me see my husbands side. I do need to let him in and to stop telling him what he's doing wrong (from my point of view). We also have a younger child to give our daughter a close sibling and yes, it was the best thing we ever did as well. I'm so glad to have found your channel. I'm looking forward to watching more to find encouragement in this somewhat lonely journey.

Wow so much respect for you both, such a inspirational video, thanks for sharing xx Dylan is so adorable.

Thank you for sharing your relationship, your story n your healing journey with the world. I find your Chanel very inspiration. I learned alot from you through your love, compassion, n devotion as a mother n a wife. I'm very happy to see that through hardworking n understanding you have found your love again.

So great to hear parents opening up about this! I am in the process of earning my BCBA and it is so wonderful to hear your perspective. I want to understand what the parents are going through. Thinking of you both today

When you talk about it you relive it and that’s where the emotion comes from.

Thankyou from a childcare worker who sees this denial up close and personal. I'm done in as a result of feeling used and dismissed but have a new perspective. Keep trying everyone.

I'm in tears. I love this channel.

Thank you so much for this no filter, say it like it is! I had tears streaming down my face as I watched this. I am a primary caregiver to a 3 year old non-verbal autistic granddaughter and I am struggling. I am so angry she has it, questioning how she got it(as no one in the family has ASD), questioning did we do something wrong, angry with my daughter who had her at 18 years old. I’m in the thick of it right now and everything you guys went through in the early years I’m in right now. Saying all that, what I can say with every frustration, every tear shed at the end of the day she is a precious soul and I love her more than life it’s self. Thank you for making me feel not alone with my feelings as I walk through this journey. So happy your family is whole again. ❤️

Waohw. This dad loves loves loves his family and clearly adores the mom like can't make it without her type of love, like this life would suck without her but that she is here kind of takes the edge off and brings a breath of fresh air. This is love. This is real love. You are a lucky family for sure. A lot of understanding, love, and support. Thank you very much for sharing the honest truth about how much this can test a relationship.

It's so meaningful what you both do!!! Thank you.

Thank you for this video. Our almost 4 year old son was diagnosed 6 months ago and our marriage is going through a very similar thing. Lots of bickering, poor communication and we talked about divorce. Your video helps me to relate to the male perspective and I’m going to show my husband to hopefully have him understand. Thank you for sharing, it’s so helpful that what we are going through is semi normal.