Axel’s Adventure Through Autism and Awareness

04/17/2026

I used to pray just to hear his voice…

For a long time, Axel was nonverbal.
Those quiet days felt heavy, like I was waiting on a moment I didn’t know would ever come.

And then one day… he spoke.
Not just words… he started reading them.

Not just reading… understanding.
Not just understanding… teaching me.

Now I catch myself asking him how to pronounce things.
He reads in languages I’ve never learned, recognizes flags I’ve never seen, and spells words I still struggle with.

Somewhere along the way, I realized…
I’m not just raising a child who found his voice.
I’m raising a mind that sees the world differently… beautifully… brilliantly.

They call it hyperlexia.
Some call it savant.

I just call him Axel.

This song is my way of capturing what it feels like to watch your child go from silence… to something extraordinary.

And the best part
He still looks at me like I’m his whole world

And that will always be my favorite thing about him

04/14/2026

💛 There’s a new autism law… but let’s talk about what that actually means 💛

Most people won’t hear about it.
Most won’t understand it.
But for families like ours… it matters.

The Autism CARES Act (2024) was just signed into law.

And for the first time, it starts to recognize something we’ve been living every single day…

Autism is NOT one story.

Some individuals grow up independent, working, advocating, living full lives on their own.
And that matters.

But there are also children who need constant support.
Children who are nonverbal.
Children who require structure, safety planning, therapies, and hands-on care every single day.

That matters too.

For a long time, the world mostly saw one side.

This law is starting to say…
we see the full picture now.

Not just the easy-to-explain version
Not just the success stories people are comfortable sharing
But the real, everyday life that many families are living behind closed doors

The routines
The exhaustion
The fight for services
The moments no one else sees
And the wins that feel like miracles

Now let me be clear…

This law does NOT magically fix everything
It does NOT change your child’s IEP overnight
It does NOT suddenly make services easier to get

We still fight
We still advocate
We still show up every single day

But it does something important

It puts it in writing… at a federal level…
that our children exist
that their needs matter
and that they deserve to be included in research, services, and support

And that matters more than people realize

So if you’re a parent walking this road
feeling unseen
feeling exhausted
feeling like you have to explain your child over and over again

This is your reminder

You are not alone
Your child matters
Your reality is real

And your voice is part of what is changing things 💛

04/13/2026

If you have a child with an IEP… this is your moment to be heard 💛

The Texas Education Agency is collecting parent feedback right now, and this is one of the few times families can directly share what is really happening in our schools

Your voice matters
Your experience matters
Your child’s story matters

Whether your journey has been amazing, frustrating, or somewhere in between… this is how change starts

I’ve been there. I’ve sat in those meetings, fought those battles, and pushed for what my child needed. And I can tell you this… when parents speak up together, it makes a difference

Take a few minutes and fill this out. It may feel small, but it adds up to something much bigger for all of our kids

👉 https://www.spedtex.org/parent-involvement-survey

Let’s make sure our voices are heard 💛

We offer resources to understand your child's disability, rights under IDEA, and promote collaboration for effective services to children with disabilities in Texas.

04/02/2026

A mind full of galaxies, a heart full of wonder, and a world he’s teaching me how to see differently every single day 💙✨

Today we begin to celebrate the month of Autism
Although we celebrate him every single day, this month is about honoring his victories, his battles, his goals, and showing the world his world

This is Axel’s story
Not behind, not less, just beautifully his own pace

Autism is not a limitation
It’s his power, his brilliance, his light

And I will spend my life making sure the world sees what I see 🌎💫

04/02/2026

Tonight was one of those moments you wish you could freeze forever 💙🚀

Axel experienced his very first live NASA launch and of course it had to be Artemis II. From the moment we turned it on, he was completely in his element. He was telling us everything, explaining every detail in his own way, fully living in that world he loves so much

We made it special with Artemis donuts, snacks, and a full living room setup. We all sat together while he bounced from couch to couch, excitement bursting out of him in every direction. You could feel it building as the countdown got closer

Then came the moment

10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1

He shouted every number with everything he had in him

And when that rocket lifted… his eyes went wide, he jumped right up to the TV as close as he could get and said one perfect word

WOW 😁

Just one word, but it said everything

We sat there together for the full 8 minutes watching it climb into space, not missing a second, not wanting it to end

Tonight wasn’t just about a launch
It was about stepping into Axel’s world and getting to experience the magic the way he sees it

And that is a moment I will carry with me forever 💙✨

03/28/2026

Axel Elopes, however long before I even knew he eloped Any Baby Can gave this information and helped file for us.

If you have a child with special needs, this is something every parent should know

You can actually put information on file with emergency responders so if something ever happens they already know your child before they even arrive

This can be life changing

For our kids who may elope, not respond to their name, have sensory sensitivities, or communicate differently… how first responders approach them matters

Here’s how you do it

Call your local police department and ask about a Special Needs Registry or Vulnerable Person Registry
Many departments have programs where they can keep your child’s information on file

In the San Antonio area you can contact San Antonio Police Department or Bexar County Sheriff’s Office and ask for guidance

You can also call your local fire department and EMS and ask them to place a note on your address
This is often called a premise alert or medical alert

Then call your non emergency city line and request that a note be added to your address in the 911 system
Tell them you have a child with special needs and want responders to be aware before arriving

Things you can include

Child’s name and age
Diagnosis such as autism, sensory processing, anxiety
Elopement risk
May not respond to name or commands
Sensitive to lights, sirens, or touch
What helps calm them
Parent contact information

You can also create a simple emergency information sheet and keep it by your front door so responders can grab it quickly if needed

Programs like National Autism Association and Project Lifesaver also offer additional safety tools for families with children who wander

This is one of those things you hope you never need
But if you ever do… it can make all the difference in how your child is understood and protected

Sharing this because our kids deserve to be seen, understood, and kept safe 💙

03/25/2026

A lot of states have something called the Blue Envelope Program. It’s a simple but powerful tool designed to help during interactions with law enforcement. It gives officers a clear signal that the person they are interacting with may have communication differences, and it provides guidance so that moment can stay calm and safe.

But here in Texas… we don’t have a statewide Blue Envelope Program.

And I’m going to say this with my whole chest…

This momma doesn’t wait.
And you shouldn’t either.

I don’t wait for systems to catch up.
I don’t wait for policies to be created.
I don’t wait for someone else to decide my child is worth protecting.

I take it to them.

Because at the end of the day, this is about safety. This is about making sure our children are understood in moments that matter most.

💙 WHAT YOU CAN DO RIGHT NOW

You don’t need permission to start.

Create your own Blue Envelope:
Put inside:
Driver’s license or ID
Insurance and registration
A simple support sheet about your child

Include things like:
My child has autism
He may not respond right away
He may become overwhelmed
He understands more than he can express
Here’s what helps

Keep it in your car, your bag, wherever you go.

Practice using it.
Make it part of your safety plan.

💙 REAL TALK

Programs don’t start at the top.
They start with one voice that refuses to stay quiet.

You don’t have to be loud… but you do have to be willing.

Because our kids deserve to be safe.
They deserve to be understood.
And they deserve a system that sees them.

Until then… we build it ourselves.

💙 If you’re a parent reading this
You belong here
Your child matters
And your voice is more powerful than you think

03/25/2026

We started community therapy again and this time it feels different in the best way

Before it was about helping him not feel overwhelmed, helping him stay calm, helping him sit in the cart through the hard moments you could see coming

Now we are stepping into a new season

Now we are working on walking beside me, not riding in a stroller, not eloping, moving through the world with confidence and calm

Today we went to the store for something simple, fruits and vegetables, but for us it was so much more than that

He picked everything out himself, carefully choosing each fruit and vegetable, smiling as he held them, enjoying them in his own way even if he is not ready to eat them yet

He had a budget and he stayed under it

He walked up to the register, placed each item on the belt, waited his turn, and paid

And then something beautiful happened

The cashier slowed down and counted his change out for him, taking her time, smiling, meeting him where he was without even realizing what moment she was stepping into

She thought she was just doing her job

But she became part of a story we will never forget

We made her day and she made his

These are the moments people don’t always see

The quiet victories
The everyday things that are actually everything

Autism will never box him in

He is learning, growing, and showing the world exactly who he is one moment at a time

And I will always be right here, watching him rise

03/17/2026

Lately I’ve been learning more about something that could truly be life changing for kids like Axel… autism service dogs 💙🐾

These are not just dogs. These are highly trained companions who can help children with autism feel safe, calm, and more independent in everyday life. They can prevent wandering, help during moments of overwhelm, provide comfort, and even respond before a meltdown fully happens.

For so many families, these dogs become a bridge to the world. They help children go places they couldn’t before, feel secure in public, and give parents peace of mind in a way that is hard to put into words.

The process to get one takes time, but it starts with simply applying and learning what is available. I wanted to share some real resources for any families walking this journey with us 💙

Autism service dog resource page
https://www.autismspeaks.org/assistance-dog-information

Little Angels Service Dogs application
https://littleangelsservicedogs.org/apply-for-a-dog/

4 Paws for Ability
https://www.4pawsforability.org

Canine Companions
https://canine.org

Assistance Dogs International search tool
https://assistancedogsinternational.org/main/looking-for-an-assistance-dog/

For families here in San Antonio, there are even local training options where you can be part of the process and customize a dog specifically for your child

https://dogtrainingelite.com/san-antonio/training/service-dog/autism-support

https://www.servicedogexpress.com

This is not a quick process and many families wait, but from everything I’ve seen and learned, it is absolutely worth it. These dogs are trained for your child, your life, and your needs.

We are always learning, always growing, and always looking for ways to support Axel in the best way possible 💙

If you are on this journey too, I hope this helps you take that first step

💙🐾

03/17/2026

This right here… this is something special 💙

Axel has always loved taking pictures on his tablet. It’s his way of seeing the world, capturing moments that matter to him, and telling his own story without needing words.

So Friday we made a decision… we got him his very own camera 📸

Thanks to Amazon, it showed up Saturday morning and these are his VERY FIRST shots…

And I’m just going to say it… this kid is a natural 😭💙

The way he focuses, the way he captures movement, light, and life… you can see it. You can feel it. This isn’t just pictures, this is Axel’s perspective of the world.

Every photo tells a story. Every click is confidence. Every moment captured is him growing, learning, and showing us just how incredible he truly is.

We don’t just see pictures… we see passion, talent, and a future unfolding right in front of us ✨

I cannot wait to see where this journey takes him… because something tells me this is only the beginning 💙📸