From Fixing to Witnessing: A New Way of Parenting Autism
When we first hear the word autism in connection with our child, most of us are handed a checklist — therapies, interventions, milestones to chase. The unspoken message is clear: your child is broken, and it’s your job to fix them.
This weight is heavy. It fills days with appointments, comparison, and exhaustion. It leaves little room to simply be with our child.
But there is another way.
🌸 The Pressure to Fix
Parents often begin this journey feeling a sense of urgency — to help their child “catch up” or “fit in.” Society reinforces this by measuring worth against developmental timelines and “normal” behaviours.
But chasing normalcy can create distance. It can make us miss the very essence of who our child is.
🌸 The Power of Witnessing
Witnessing means shifting our lens. Instead of asking “How do I fix this?” we begin to ask, “What is my child showing me?”
It’s a pause. A breath. A recognition that communication takes many forms, that joy is found in unexpected places, and that our child’s way of being is not less — it is simply different.
When we witness instead of fix, something softens. Our child feels it too. They sense safety, acceptance, and love that does not demand change.
🌸 What Changes in Daily Life
This shift ripples into the everyday:
Moments of frustration become opportunities for connection.
Silence is no longer empty — it is alive with meaning.
Success is measured not by conformity, but by authenticity.
Parents often describe it as a weight being lifted. Suddenly, their child shines in ways that were once hidden under the shadow of “fixing.”
🌸 An Invitation
Perhaps you are still in the fixing stage. Perhaps you are just beginning to glimpse the beauty of witnessing. Wherever you are, you are not alone.
Every step on this path is valid, and each shift — no matter how small — matters deeply.
If you are ready to begin exploring this shift in perspective more fully, I invite you to journey with me through the Listening Without Words course — a space to learn how to listen differently, connect more deeply, and witness your child as they truly are.
Members Portal — a space for deeper connection and reflection. Here you’ll find monthly insights drawn from the collective consciousness of non-speaking autistics, personal stories of transformation, and practical guidance for daily life. These writings are crafted with you in mind, offering not only knowledge but also gentle companionship along the journey. May these words nourish you, inspire you, and remind you that you are not walking this path alone."
