The Sticker Said "Future Ohio Voter"—A Reminder of the Doors That May Never Open for My Son
My husband went to vote today. He took Brantley, our nine year old son with severe autism, with him. When they got home, Brantley bounced...
top of page
WELCOME!
We are the Smith Family. We get a lot of questions on what life with Brantley, our 8 year old who has complex behaviors and developmental disabilities is like. So why not take you on our parenting adventure?
We invite you to come along with us as we tackle the trials and triumphs of special needs parenting. We hope that you will join us as we laugh a lot, cry a little, pull our hair out sometimes and love on our wild little man.
Home: Welcome
Search
When Love Hurts: Navigating Aggression in Our Autism Journey
I felt the sharpness of Brantley’s nails tearing through my skin. Pure aggression. Not calculated, not vengeful—just raw, uncontrollable....
The Smile That Hid Autism
“Look at that smile; no autism here.” I can still feel the wave of relief that washed over me when our pediatrician said those words. She...
The Magic of True Inclusion: A Birthday Party, A Team, and a Fist Bump
When one of Bronson’s friends invited Brantley to his birthday party, it was more than just a kind gesture—it was a true act of...
The Blue Pumpkin: Raising Awareness for Autism’s Unseen Spectrum
October is upon us, and with it comes the annual debate over the blue pumpkin. If you're unfamiliar with this, the blue pumpkin has...
The Longest Ride of My Life
Every morning, I put my son Brantley on a bus bound for his autism-specific school. It’s an incredible place—one that truly understands...
Thrills and Growth: An Unforgettable Day at Kings Island thanks to A Kid Again
There’s something magical about seeing how much kids can change. We got to witness that firsthand today during our monthly adventure with...
When Silence Speaks: Imagining the Words Brantley Might One Day Say
Before Brantley’s last surgery, the anesthesiologist came in to ask him a few routine questions. When I explained that he was nonverbal,...
When Routine is Swept Away: Hurricanes and Autism
I can’t stop thinking about the families in Florida, especially those raising children with autism, as they face the challenges of this...
The Hidden Costs of Raising a Child with Special Needs
In the world of special needs, everything comes with a steeper price tag—often to a staggering degree. It’s not just the big-ticket items...
Autism Isn't the End: How Brantley Showed Me the Power of Progress, One Step at a Time
The weight of the word "autism" hit me like a ton of bricks when Brantley was first diagnosed. Every milestone I had envisioned for him...
Finding Love and Balance In Unexpected Adventure
This past weekend, I took my younger son to an Ohio State football game. A time meant not only to bond over a love of the buckeyes but...
Navigating the Daily Battle: A Journey to Kitchen Safety for Autistic Son
Imagine having a child who is a danger to themselves, a child who truly can’t help their impulses to eat everything, to feel everything....
How Having a Child with Profound Autism Changed Me: Embracing the Person I’ve Become
Having a child with profound Autism has changed me. I didn’t realize it, until years ago when my husband said something that pierced me...
Bronson’s Birthday: A Journey from Uncertainty to Unbreakable Brotherhood
Today is my younger son, Bronson’s, birthday. I remember so clearly the day he came home from the NICU. I was so excited. Happy to have...
The Kindness of Keegan: A Lesson for Us All
Let me tell you about Keegan. For the past nine years, I’ve watched Keegan evolve from a little boy into a teenager. As Keegan grew...
A Gesture of Kindness: The Day Brantley Was Our Guest
As I stood at the ticket window for Alligator Adventure in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, I prepared to pay for our family’s admission. I...
Turning Vacation Fears into Joy: Our Family’s Breakthrough Traveling with Profound Autism
My son Brantley has profound autism, and if I am being honest, the thought of vacationing with him used to terrify me. At home, we...
Vacation and Autism: Embracing the Unknown with Brantley’s First Trip
𝘖𝘶𝘳 𝘧𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘺 𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘭𝘺 𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘢𝘳𝘬𝘦𝘥 𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵 𝘷𝘢𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 - 𝘢𝘯 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘐 𝘰𝘯𝘤𝘦...
Seeing Beyond Appearances: Redefining How We Understand and Empathize with Disabilities
During a recent pedicure, the woman doing my nails asked about my children. When I described Brantley, she expressed her sorrow as if the...
Home: Blog2
Home: Feature
bottom of page