Brave Like Bliss Autism Fundraiser

I would like to take a moment to share our story. We are so excited to have you join our mission to impact Arizona kids on the autism spectrum. This fall, we are hosting a table for Arizona Autism United (AZA United). Read on to find out why!

In 2014, we made a move across the country.

Wanting a better way of life, we believed that our family would immediately thrive here in Arizona! But we did not. Instead within months of landing, our 14 month old daughter stopped making eye contact, began to stutter, lost vocabulary, became increasingly physically aggressive, and started hiding in closets to escape people, smells, light, and noise.

Our Bliss cried around the clock - and similar to her launch into the world - decided that she wanted nothing to do with the world outside of me, her mother.

By summer 2015, I made the call to early intervention. With a past teaching yoga for families, I had a close relationship with birth through three (now five) services on the East Coast. Without contacting our pediatrician, I made the call. (I now know I skipped a few steps!) In our first evaluation, we heard words that I had expected - and words that I had not. Bliss was diagnosed with sensory processing disorder shortly after her evaluation, and with a developmental delay. Her primary struggles were social and emotional regulation and sensory integration. At our prompting and under her nurse practitioners advice, Bliss became a part of a clinical study for autism. Though the developmental pediatrician denied having her officially diagnosed, the study proved mild autism. In the years that followed, we've heard that word time and again - from her developmental preschool teacher, a second clinical study, her occupational therapists, her naturopath, and her behavioral therapist. We have also heard many other potential diagnoses. At times, our daughter can still be obstinate, aggressive, compulsive, and highly anxious.

But today, we have begun to thrive. In part due to her professional support system, and in part due to my personal support system. I couldn't do this without the professionals and women who have honored where we are!

Bliss is an INCREDIBLE little girl.

Though we declined having her second official study in 2017, the one that would give her the diagnostic label, we agree with all those who have met, worked with, and loved on our girl. With incredible private insurance, and much personal expense, we have supported our highly verbal and fabulous child who is on the autism spectrum.

Not everyone has the ability to serve their child the way we do. And we are not okay with that. I have personally spent countless hours researching support systems and therapeutic opportunities for our high functioning daughter. This is not the path that everyone can take. We want to honor and support those who need more assistance beyond what we have needed or will ever need.

I want to thank you for reading our story! As an autism family, it is our goal to advocate for others on a similar - and often unimaginably harder path.

By joining us in supporting or attending the Arizona Autism United Luncheon on September 12, 2018, you too can help families who so deeply need to see a more joyful and ease-filled life.

We believe support, community, acceptance, and love are the answer. Let's impact kids together.