My daughter is about to turn 16. How is that possible? Soon, my baby will be eligible to drive. Who thought giving babies driver’s licenses was a good idea? When Olivia was a newborn, I spent hours gazing into her tiny eyes, making silly noises and faces to coax out a smile.  As my first child, those moments with her were unforgettable. Now, even as she performs on stage or navigates teenage challenges, I sometimes see the infant features in her expressions. It feels like just yesterday. As an obligatory annoying father to a teenager, I often remind her, “You are my baby. You hear me?...…My daughter is about to turn 16. How is that possible? Soon, my baby will be eligible to drive. Who thought giving babies driver’s licenses was a good idea? When Olivia was a newborn, I spent hours gazing into her tiny eyes, making silly noises and faces to coax out a smile.  As my first child, those moments with her were unforgettable. Now, even as she performs on stage or navigates teenage challenges, I sometimes see the infant features in her expressions. It feels like just yesterday. As an obligatory annoying father to a teenager, I often remind her, “You are my baby. You hear me?...WW…

One of the earliest challenges when I became a parent to a non-verbal child with autism was understanding what that exactly meant. No one could tell you and nothing seemed to fit into a handbook. When people hear that Lucas is non-verbal, they usually ask if he speaks any words. While my son doesn’t verbalize at all, the question itself is indicative of the fact that in some cases, non-verbal children do have some words that they say. It’s just one of many unexpected twists that come with knowing your kid may face a different path in life. All I wanted to do was help him along his journey,...…One of the earliest challenges when I became a parent to a non-verbal child with autism was understanding what that exactly meant. No one could tell you and nothing seemed to fit into a handbook. When people hear that Lucas is non-verbal, they usually ask if he speaks any words. While my son doesn’t verbalize at all, the question itself is indicative of the fact that in some cases, non-verbal children do have some words that they say. It’s just one of many unexpected twists that come with knowing your kid may face a different path in life. All I wanted to do was help him along his journey,...WW…

My son takes the blame for many things in the minds of strangers. When you have a non-verbal child with autism and you get to a party late, they assume it’s him. Nine times out of ten, it’s not. Sure, he can be the hold-out sometimes, but it could also be my teenage daughter locked in the bathroom well past the time we should have left. Other times , it’s me running through the house trying to find my car keys. On those days, Lucas is waiting with his iPad to get in the car. When we’re ready, he’s ready. Smiling and holding the speaker of his tablet to his ear, he’ll even give a clap and...…My son takes the blame for many things in the minds of strangers. When you have a non-verbal child with autism and you get to a party late, they assume it’s him. Nine times out of ten, it’s not. Sure, he can be the hold-out sometimes, but it could also be my teenage daughter locked in the bathroom well past the time we should have left. Other times , it’s me running through the house trying to find my car keys. On those days, Lucas is waiting with his iPad to get in the car. When we’re ready, he’s ready. Smiling and holding the speaker of his tablet to his ear, he’ll even give a clap and...WW…