04/16/2025
Day 16
Our precious friendā¦ Lauren Dodd. I met Lauren when she was so small. Watching her grow into the incredibly talented, responsible, super cool young adult she is has been one of the greatest blessings. She has the biggest servants heart of anyone her age I know, and I will forever be one of her biggest fans. Here is what her parents had to say about their journey with Autism. (Click the link below for a video of one of Laurenās first AAPs!)
This is Lauren Dodd. She is 18 and lives in Cabot with her parents John Dodd and Tiffany Dodd. She Is a senior this year.
Lauren was officially diagnosed in 2010 on her momās birthday. Lauren was 3 years old. We were scared and overwhelmed all at once.
Lauren is an amazing young lady. Although she is diagnosed with Autism, she is so much more than that. It is only part of her story.
Being an autism parent can be quite frustrating and rewarding all at the same time. Meltdowns are a thing, but they provide great opportunities. It's in these moments you can identify what triggers them and work through them. When you have the chance to work through what makes them uncomfortable it will help them down the road. Now, down the road may be 5 years later, but they will remember. Today's hardship pays off when they are teenagers. Lauren went from nonverbal to signing with the All State Choir last week! As a matter of fact, she sings in her church worship team every Sunday. I always worked on redirecting behavior and identifying what was autism related or just bratty typical toddler related. The big key is to take everyday situations and turn them into opportunities for learning. Pushing him out of his comfort zone, full of tears and yelling and all kinds of awful, can be heartbreaking in the moment. But it really pays off when they get older. Just remind yourself that everything you do is in love. At the end of the day, we always love our kids for who they are right now. Not who they were or who they will be in the future, just right now. Part of your childās success will be the effort you put. Early intervention is the key to long term success, but taking what you learn from their therapists and teachers, then continuing it at home will be essential. You have embarked on a journey, not a race. One of the best things you can do, is to figure out how your child learns, then learn that way too. If you want your child with autism to grow, learn, and reach their potential, YOU need to pay the price and take the time and trouble to lead them through the process and learn with them. You will have to have thick skin. People will stare, talk under their breath, and give you their "advice." One of the biggest things though, is make sure you and your spouse take time for each other. Autism parenting takes a toll, so make time to love each other well too! When Lauren was diagnosed, I got so freaked out full of emotion and stress, that I ended up with Bells Palsy. It gets better. Celebrate the little things, they are such good milestones. During times of stress and doubt it can be easy to feel alone in this journey. But you're not...there are plenty of us on this journey with you guys!
https://youtu.be/6QwhA5txhao?si=e3sS3OzZ3EeWFDEk
