A Future Filled with Love: Overcoming Fears of Non-Verbal Autism
Hi Blog! I'm Dad.
by James Guttman
2d ago
In 2017, I began writing about my then-six-year-old non-verbal son. Many of the posts I came across during his earlier years didn’t share the enthusiasm and excitement I came to experience when raising him. Their tone seemed a bit downtrodden and worried me for a future that I so desperately wanted to be excited about, so I set out to make my own. Fast forward to today and my 13-year-old son is still non-verbal. He still has autism and still struggles with many of the life skills that other parents of kids his age take for granted. Arriving at a destination requires an extra five minutes to pu ..read more
Visit website
From Fear to Perfection: Embracing My Non-Verbal Son at 13
Hi Blog! I'm Dad.
by James Guttman
1w ago
The biggest fear I had when my son was first showing signs of delay wasn’t the lack of speech that would eventually be a part of his life. It wasn’t anything tangible that I could put a name to. It was the future. More than anything, imagining him as a teenager felt like peering into an unfathomable abyss, filled with unknown challenges and silent fears. That sounds like a silly concept to anyone who gives it more than a passing thought. After all, we’re all afraid of the future. I don’t know what tomorrow looks like for me. I don’t even know if there is a tomorrow for me. I’m just rolling for ..read more
Visit website
Building Bridges to Lucas: My Role as a Father and Guide
Hi Blog! I'm Dad.
by James Guttman
1w ago
One of my main goals in writing about my son is to show the world the realities of raising a non-verbal child with autism. Lucas’s challenges may be unique when compared to another 12-year-old. However, the positives that come with a loving boy like him are immeasurable. Writing about my son’s great qualities comes easily to me. The special ways in which autism affects his personality create a person unlike any other I’ve ever known. Sure, his obstacles are unique, but so are his wonderful characteristics. But beyond sharing these traits, my mission is to help others see Lucas through my eyes ..read more
Visit website
Building Bridges to Lucas: My Role as a Father and Guide
Hi Blog! I'm Dad.
by James Guttman
1w ago
One of my main goals in writing about my son is to show the world the realities of raising a non-verbal child with autism. Lucas’s challenges may be unique when compared to another 12-year-old. However, the positives that come with a loving boy like him are immeasurable. Writing about my son’s great qualities comes easily to me. The special ways in which autism affects his personality create a person unlike any other I’ve ever known. Sure, his obstacles are unique, but so are his wonderful characteristics. But beyond sharing these traits, my mission is to help others see Lucas through my eyes ..read more
Visit website
Choosing Joy in Autism Parenting: My Quest for a Happy Family
Hi Blog! I'm Dad.
by James Guttman
1w ago
I want to be happy. I want my kids to be happy too. That’s it. That’s life in a nutshell. If this blog could be twenty words, I’d end it there with Bugs Bunny in a circle smiling. But there are more reasons to write further outside of mere word count. There are people who don’t fully understand what that means. This isn’t an assumption. It’s knowledge I have from seeing it play out firsthand. This simple way of thinking needs to be explained to some as if it was somehow deep. It’s not. It’s exactly as it reads. I want my family to be happy. You may say I’m a dreamer and I’m not the only one. T ..read more
Visit website
From Fear to Appreciation: My Journey as an Autism Dad
Hi Blog! I'm Dad.
by James Guttman
1w ago
There’s a reason why the posts I write about my non-verbal child are positive. The entire idea behind autism appreciation and putting our best foot forward comes from a very real place. The darkest times I’ve ever lived through were the times when I was just finding out about my son’s diagnosis. The initial worries that came from having a baby showing delays in sitting and rolling were in full swing just as we were on the verge of answers. At first, I was apprehensive to even say “autism” out loud. Whether I thought that voicing my concerns would make them come true or if it was just one final ..read more
Visit website
Beyond Screens: My Non-Verbal Son’s Depth with Gesture-Based Communication
Hi Blog! I'm Dad.
by James Guttman
1w ago
Language isn’t just words. The act of “having language” includes so much more. When I talk about my non-verbal son, I try to explain that he has many resources for telling me his wants and needs without ever having to utter a word. For those who haven’t met him, it can paint a vivid picture. To them, it’s about communication devices and pressing buttons. That’s a huge part of it. Lucas has a tablet that he uses to ask for pirate booty in the robotic voice. Whether orange juice, pizza, or TV, his loves are all there for the asking.  He can order his needs from me like he’s driving through ..read more
Visit website
Learning His Language: Doubts, Discoveries, and Understanding Autism
Hi Blog! I'm Dad.
by James Guttman
1w ago
I get why people might think raising a non-verbal child with autism is difficult. Navigating this journey hasn’t been straightforward. From the outset, we’ve encountered numerous challenges, each teaching us invaluable lessons about love, patience, and understanding. Raising any child is difficult, though, if you’re trying to do it right. You take the good with the bad and find balance. Don’t get me wrong. There’s a different level with a child like my son. There’s a sense of the unknown, especially when they’re younger. You know what you see in other families with similar children and try to ..read more
Visit website
The Unexpected Upsides of Non-Verbal Autism
Hi Blog! I'm Dad.
by James Guttman
1w ago
It’s easy for someone to understand the drawbacks of non-verbal autism. It seems obvious to most and anything with the word “non” in it appears to imply that there’s a missing element. So, we walk around all arrogant with our dictionaries and multiple languages, thinking that we have the world in our vocal cords. People like my son, who not only lack spoken language but also have a limited understanding of receptive language, must face numerous challenges in life.  Don’t take this blog the wrong way (an irony that I will address in a moment). I’m not here to say that Lucas will have an ea ..read more
Visit website
Beyond the Buttons: Balancing Life Skills and Love in Autism Parenting
Hi Blog! I'm Dad.
by James Guttman
1w ago
When you’re raising a non-verbal child, certain signs are important to take notice of. Catching signals as they pass makes the difference between teachable moments and missed opportunities. For years, I have tried to latch on when Lucas took notice of things like mouth movements. When he stares at my mouth or tries to touch my lips as I speak, I capitalize. I know that things he doesn’t care about don’t translate to new skills. It’s when he wants to know more that I can jump in and help him understand. We’ve had those times and I’ve always tried to get him to emulate my words when they arise ..read more
Visit website

Follow Hi Blog! I'm Dad. on FeedSpot

Continue with Google
Continue with Apple
OR