Changing Our Minds About Autism

As parents of autistic children, we’re often told what our kids can’t do. The world loves to point out the challenges – the delays, the behaviours, the struggles. But I believe it’s time we start telling a different story. A story about honouring our children for who they are and seeing their brilliance, even when others can’t. This blog comes straight from my heart and my own journey as a mum to Max. It’s about choosing to see our children through a new lens – not just competent, but truly genius.

Presume Genius

I love the idea of honour. Honouring our autistic children.

Too often, so much of our energy goes into what’s not working – not talking, not eating properly, not toilet trained, not behaving in the way we think is appropriate. But what if instead, we shifted our focus to their brilliance?

I used to love the phrase “presume competence.” I remember seeing those words framed in my son’s speech therapist’s office. It felt like a hopeful, positive way of looking at him. But over the years, I’ve upgraded that phrase in my mind to something even stronger: presume genius.

The Honour of Parenting

Our children are not problems to be fixed. They are little geniuses with unique ways of thinking, creating, and experiencing the world.

Instead of trying to squeeze them into boxes – making them more “normal” or “sociable” — let’s allow their quirks, their passions, and their uniqueness to shine. They’re happy being who they are, if only we let them.

Our job as parents is to help them grow into confidence, so the funny looks, jibes, or criticism from others don’t even land. We get to raise children who are so grounded in who they are that no cruel word can shake them. Because they know the truth: they are brilliant.

Yes, we’re the ones teaching potty training, life skills, or how to eat with a fork. Their minds are often lightyears ahead of those simple tasks, so they need our guidance in the basics.

But let’s never forget – this is not a burden. This is an honour. Raising our children to be strong, confident, and ready to make their mark on the world is one of the greatest privileges we will ever have.

A Movement of Millions

In the U.S. alone, 1 in 36 children has been diagnosed with autism. That’s more than 2 million children – and 2 million families. Imagine the change we could make if we all chose to see them as geniuses instead of “special needs.”

Our kids don’t belong hidden away in “special” classes that focus on keeping them busy instead of stimulating their minds. They belong in environments where they can learn, thrive, and feed their natural curiosities.

History has shown us time and again that autistic children grow into adults who invent, create, and transform the world. But only if they are given the chance.

It Starts With Us

This shift begins at home. We, as parents, must first change our own mindset. If we continue to see only the deficits, the struggles, and the labels, we pass that lens on to our children. But when we choose to see their genius, everything changes.

So what if your child is obsessed with dinosaurs, trains, or space? That hyper-focus shows incredible memory, attention to detail, and an ability to absorb vast amounts of information. These are skills the adult world values deeply.

So what if your child struggles with social graces? Maybe they’ll never care about being the life of the party. But if they are happy, secure, and thriving in their own world, why should we be worried about what others think?

A Call to Parents

We are more than 2 million strong in the U.S. alone. Together, we can change the way the world sees autism. But it begins with each of us, in our own homes.

Are you ready to believe that your child is a genius?

Start treating them that way. Encourage their passions, foster their confidence, and refuse to let the world tell them they are less.

Because they aren’t less. They are different. They are brilliant. And they are ready to change the world.

✨ Closing Thought:

Change the way you think about autism. Change the face of autism. Change the world for autism.

If this message speaks to you, know that you are not alone. I work with parents every day who are learning how to shift their mindset, find calm, and truly thrive alongside their autistic children. Together, we create the supportive environments our kids need to flourish – and we do it without losing ourselves in the process.

💌 If you’d like encouragement, tools, and a supportive community around this journey, make sure you’re subscribed to my newsletter and tune into my Living Inspired with Autism podcast. And if you’re ready for more personalised support, I’d love to invite you into my 1:1 coaching – where we take these ideas and put them into practice in your daily life.

Because when you change the way you see your child, you change everything.