Advocacy is Everything:

Trusting Your Instincts During Our Autism Diagnosis

Advocacy is Everything

Have you ever just known something in your gut?
Known something wasn’t quite right, even when everyone around you told you otherwise?

That was the feeling I had very early on with my second son.

I grew up in a family of educators, and I became a teacher myself. I studied childhood development and knew the milestones children were typically expected to reach. But my son’s development wasn’t matching what I had learned was considered “typical.”

As a mom, I knew something needed a closer look.

Trusting My Instincts

I began watching him closely, talking with his doctor, and seeking out testing to better understand what was going on. In the middle of all of this, our family made a cross-country move, and we had to start the entire process over again with a new set of doctors.

Unfortunately, the doctor we found through our insurance left much to be desired.

I tried to explain that something just didn’t seem right, but I was told that I simply had a “strong-willed child” who needed more discipline. The doctor even prescribed medication and encouraged me to try it over the weekend.

I left that appointment feeling frustrated and unheard, but because “he was the doctor,” I decided to follow his recommendation.

I only gave my son one dose.

Almost immediately, he became like a robot and repeated the same phrase over and over — 93 times in just 10 minutes.

At that moment, I knew in my heart that I had to keep pushing for answers.

I returned to the doctor and firmly requested an autism evaluation. After the initial screening, my son showed multiple indicators of Autism Spectrum Disorder. We were then referred to the Marcus Autism Center in Atlanta, where my son was officially diagnosed with autism.

I never went back to that first doctor again.

What I Learned

I share this story because I want other parents to know this:

You know your child best.

If something feels off, it is okay to ask questions. It is okay to seek second opinions. It is okay to keep pushing until you feel heard.

I had to advocate constantly for my child. I had to persevere. I had to do my own research, ask hard questions, and search for the support my son needed.

Encouragement for Parents Beginning the Journey

If you are at the beginning of the diagnosis journey, I want you to know this:

Your child’s diagnosis is not the end of the world. It is the beginning of understanding how your child experiences and processes the world around them.

That knowledge is powerful.

Yes, it can feel overwhelming at first. There may be fear, grief, confusion, or uncertainty. But you are not alone.

So many parents have walked this road before you, and many of us are willing to walk beside you too.

Practical Tips for Advocacy

Here are a few things I learned along the way:

Respectfully stand up for your child.
Ask questions — and keep asking until you understand.
Document everything so you can share accurate information with doctors, therapists, and counselors.
Trust your observations as a parent.
Research medications and treatment options before making decisions.
Don’t be afraid to seek second opinions when necessary.

Advocacy matters. Your voice matters. And your child deserves to be understood.

If you are looking for community and support, I’d love to connect with you on Facebook. I share tips, encouragement, and pieces of our daily journey there. I’m also available through direct message if you have questions or simply need someone who understands.

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