Hi, I’m Avery!

Food can be one of the tough parts of daily life with autism but one that evolves. We share how we’ve navigated safe foods, trying new ones, and what’s actually helped us along the way. Maybe one of our ideas will help you on your journey!

We’ve tried a lot of things over the last 18 years, some made a real difference, some didn’t. Here’s an honest look at what’s in our routine and why, with the reminder that every kid is different and what works for Avery may not work for you.

Sleep was one of our biggest struggles for a long time, and we know we’re not alone in that. We share our nighttime routine, the tools we’ve leaned on and what finally started helping us get more consistent rest.

We weren’t sure travel was something we could do it after so many failed attempts… and then we did it, and it changed everything for us. We share our experiences, resources like the Sunflower Lanyards in airports and places we love to visit.

When we started looking for tools to help Avery manage big emotions, we wanted something practical, not clinical. These are the cognitive strategies that have actually made a difference in our day-to-day, shared in plain language the way we wish someone had shared them with us. Self-assessment and self-advocacy is now part of her confidence.

Cooking, grocery shopping, managing money, getting around, hygiene… Avery is building these skills one step at a time, and we’re documenting it as we go. We wished someone would have shared all of this with us years ago.

Some of the best moments in our house have come from slowing down and connecting over the simple stuff like board games, shared interests and Monopoly Deal. Building those comfortable spaces at home laid the foundation for connecting with others outside of the home, whether that’s finding friends with similar interests, joining groups, or discovering the wider community of families who get it.

Routine and structure have helped Avery more than almost anything else we’ve tried. We share what consistency actually looks like for us and how it has affected everything we do, including our mindset.

We’re in the middle of this chapter right now… visiting post-secondary programs, asking every question we can think of, and figuring out what life after high school looks like for Avery. Follow along as we learn in real time on the What’s Next Tour.

We’ve had to fight for Avery in classrooms, in meetings, and in spaces that weren’t built with her in mind. This is where we share what we’ve learned about advocating for your kid and how that work connects to the nonprofit, Inclusive Navigators.