My Non-Verbal Son's Silence Isn't Permission To Do Less

What happens when your child never asks for anything?This week I'm talking about a new mattress. Not because mattresses are exciting, but because buying one for my non-verbal son, Lucas, reminded me of something I've been thinking about for years. He never asked for it. He wasn't complaining about the old one. He probably would have slept just as happily on two pillows and a blanket on the floor.That realization led to a much bigger conversation about parenting a child with profound autism. When your child doesn't ask, doesn't complain, and seems content with almost anything, it can become surprisingly easy to mistake silence for not needing more. I talk about why I never want to fall into that trap, how the same philosophy applies to taking Lucas to the circus, Sesame Street Live, and even the beach, and why I believe our kids deserve experiences they never would have thought to request.In this episode: Why I finally replaced Lucas's six-year-old mattress  The danger of confusing silence with contentment  How "Why bother?" can become the most damaging question a parent hears  Sesame Street Live, the circus, and why trying still matters  Why I'm hoping to take Lucas back to the beach  The parenting philosophy behind doing more for children who ask for lessIt's Here! Get the book – “Hi World, I’m Dad: How Fathers Can Journey to Autism Awareness, Acceptance, and Appreciation” on audio, digital, or print.Follow Us On TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. Also, be sure to read the blog that started it all - Hi Blog! I'm Dad.