Columns

‘I’m Sorry, She Has Autism’

Autism is a secondary diagnosis for my 6-year-old daughter, Austen. Her primary diagnosis is Dravet syndrome, which causes her to have intractable epilepsy, weak muscle tone, and many other symptoms. I’m not sure if her autism is a stand-alone diagnosis, and if she would have it whether or…

Happy 6th Birthday, Austen!

Something crazy is happening this week. Somehow my daughter Austen, the baby who must have only been born yesterday, is turning 6 years old. I can’t let myself believe it, yet I must. This little girl has been a surprise from the moment I found…

A Day in the Life of a Dravet Syndrome Mom

From the outside looking in, the lives our family must seem chaotic. OK, our lives are chaotic. But isn’t that true for all parents with multiple children? The only things that make our lives different are a couple of diagnoses, a few seizures, and several medications. Strangers…