A New Reality

The drive home was a blur for Ashley and Avan, their minds still reeling from the diagnosis. They were both trying to process the news, but they knew they had to be strong for Alex. As they pulled into their driveway, Ashley felt a sense of determination wash over her. They were going to do everything they could to help Alex, to support him and make sure he had the best possible life. As they walked into the house, Alex was sitting on the couch, playing with his Legos. He looked up at them with a big smile on his face, completely unaware of the conversation they had just had. Ashley and Avan exchanged a glance, and then Avan knelt down beside Alex. "Hey buddy, how was your day?" he asked, trying to sound normal. Alex shrugged, his eyes already back on his Legos. "It was fine," he said. Ashley sat down beside them, putting a hand on Alex's shoulder. "We're going to make some changes, okay?" she said, trying to gauge his reaction. Alex looked up at her, his eyes curious. "What kind of changes?" he asked. Avan took a deep breath before speaking. "We're going to get you some extra help, okay? Some therapy and stuff. Just to make sure you're getting everything you need." Alex nodded, seeming to understand. "Okay," he said. The next few days were a whirlwind of activity as Ashley and Avan tried to get everything in place for Alex. They researched different therapies, made appointments with specialists, and tried to learn as much as they could about autism. They were determined to be the best parents they could be for Alex, to support him and help him thrive. As they navigated this new reality, Ashley and Avan began to realize just how much they didn't know about autism. They had heard of it, of course, but they had never really understood what it meant. Now, as they were thrust into this new world, they were learning quickly. They started by setting up a sensory room in their house, a place where Alex could go when he was feeling overwhelmed. They filled it with soft toys, blankets, and calming music, hoping it would be a safe space for him. They also started taking Alex to therapy sessions, where he could work on his social skills and learn how to navigate the world. It was tough at first, but Alex seemed to be responding well to the therapy. As the days turned into weeks, Ashley and Avan started to feel more confident in their ability to support Alex. They were learning every day, and they were determined to be the best parents they could be for him. One evening, as they were sitting down to dinner, Alex looked up at them with a big smile on his face. "I'm glad we're doing this," he said, his eyes shining with excitement. Ashley and Avan exchanged a glance, feeling a sense of pride and love for their son. They were going to get through this, together.