Cedar Point with Jessie and a New Hope for Wyatt | Episode 107

Hey, What's Up! It's Tommy. This week, Kailee and I are looking back on a summer that felt like a real gift to our family, from quiet afternoons at home to a first Cedar Point trip with Jessie that reminded me how valuable time together really is. We also talk honestly about one of the hardest parts of autism parenting: accepting that sometimes our family cannot do everything together, while refusing to believe that “not yet” means “never.” I share what we have learned about being intentional with Wyatt, letting ourselves feel the sadness that comes with missed experiences, and then choosing to keep moving forward with joy instead of living in guilt. Most of all, we are stepping into something new as Wyatt begins Spell to Communicate, and I am carrying a lot of hope, nerves, prayer, and curiosity into that first appointment. If you are raising a non-speaking child or walking through special needs parenting, I hope this conversation reminds you that it is not too late to try something new. Key Takeaways This summer reminded me that time with my family is one of the biggest reasons we have worked so hard to build the life and business we have. I have learned that sometimes being a special needs family means we cannot all experience the same things together, and that can hurt without meaning anyone has done something wrong. Kailee and I have had to replace the idea of “never” with “not yet,” especially when we think about experiences Wyatt may not be ready for today. I believe intentional time, presence, eye contact, play, and simply being there can matter more than how many hours we spend together. As we begin Spell to Communicate with Wyatt, I am choosing to presume competence, stay hopeful, pray, and remain open to what he may be able to show us. If something in this conversation connects with your family, I would love to hear from you. Visit spectrumincamouflage.com to find the podcast and everything we're doing, or email me anytime at [email protected]. Follow Us! tiktok.com/@spectrum_in_camouflage facebook.com/groups/4002769846662357 instagram.com/spectrum_in_camouflage Together, we can create a community to support autistic kids and their families. If you have questions, ideas, or want to share your journey, email me at [email protected]. Let's learn, grow, and make a difference, one step, one piece of the puzzle, one child at a time.