The words dropped onto my kitchen table like stones in slow motion.

"Maureen, I believe your son has autism."

I knew. I knew before the words thundered their way into the ethers and then hung there, taunting me. I knew another thing as well: my life would never be the same.

Something stirred in me that day. Something that lie sleeping and dormant awoke, stood tall and raised his war club high. The warrior within had awakened. I would fight whatever it was that was holding my son captive. The only thought that was not allowed to ambush me in the dense brush of a complex disability was failure.  read more