What Autism Has Taught Me as a Mom and Photographer | Autism Awareness Day
April 2nd is known as Autism Awareness Day.
But for me, this is not just awareness.
This is my life.
This is my son.
Meet Levi — My Why Behind Everything I Do
My son Levi is 16, almost 17.
He was officially diagnosed with autism when he was 7 years old, but if I am being honest, I knew long before that.
At just 18 months old, there were signs.
He would rock constantly.
He would head bang.
He did not make sounds like other babies, only cries.
And even something as simple as being touched or held could send him into a scream.
He was mostly nonverbal until around age five.
Those early years were hard.
Not in a way that can be explained with a checklist or diagnosis, but in a way where you are constantly trying to understand your child’s world while also learning how to survive in your own.
The Highs, the Lows, and the Moments That Mean Everything
There were a lot of highs and lows.
A lot of learning.
A lot of adapting.
A lot of grieving what I thought life would look like while trying to embrace what it was becoming.
One of the hardest parts was realizing that Levi’s life would not look like my other children’s.
That the world might not always be kind to him.
That I would have to teach him it is okay to be different while also helping protect him from a world that does not always understand that.
But here is what people do not always see: the moments we do get mean everything.
A hug.
A smile.
A family photo.
Those are not small things in our world. They are milestones that carry so much emotion because they did not come easily.
What Makes Levi Extraordinary
If you met Levi, you might not immediately see it.
But once he lets you in, you will never forget him.
He loves deeply.
He has empathy for the people he knows and loves.
If he cares about you, he will fight for you until the end of the earth.
He also loves God in a way that has challenged and grown my own faith more than I can explain. He has taught me things about faith that I do not think I would have learned any other way.
He loves computers, helping others, and figuring things out in his own way.
And that is one of the most beautiful things about autism. It is not a limitation. It is a different way of seeing the world, and that perspective is a gift.
The Challenges You Do Not Always See
There are still hard things. Daily things. Things people on the outside may never notice.
- Sensory struggles with touch
- Difficulty with hygiene
- Challenges with eating
- Trouble expressing feelings
- Frustration with transitions
- Becoming nonverbal when overwhelmed or upset
- A very high pain tolerance that can be dangerous
- No fear when it comes to getting hurt
These are not phases. This is real life.
But we have learned to keep going, keep adapting, and keep finding a way forward together.
What Levi Has Taught Me
Levi has changed me in ways I never expected.
He has taught me that I am willing to never give up.
He has taught me to look at things differently.
He has taught me that progress does not have to look traditional to be meaningful.
Most of all, he has shown me that everything can be accomplished, just sometimes in a different way than the world expects.
Because of him, I know I am stronger than I once believed. I know I can handle what the world throws at us. And I know that love and patience matter more than perfection ever will.
What I Wish More People Understood About Autism
Autism is not a disease.
It is not a problem to be fixed.
It looks different in every person.
And no two autistic individuals are exactly the same.
Autistic individuals are smart.
They often have strong ethics.
They work hard when they love something.
They have so much to offer because of the way they see the world.
That is not a curse. That is a gift.
How Levi Shaped My Photography Business
Levi is the reason my photography business looks the way it does today.
Because I know firsthand what it feels like to not have photos.
I know there are families who miss years of memories because getting in front of a camera feels overwhelming, stressful, or impossible. I know there are moms who wonder if anyone will understand their child, their pace, their needs, or their fears.
That is why I wanted to change the way we look at photography and what we call the “perfect photo.”
At Unique Footprints Co, I believe some children need more time.
Some families need more patience.
And sometimes what matters most is simply having someone there who truly understands.
I do not believe the best photos always come from perfect posing and big smiles.
Sometimes they come from quiet moments.
Sometimes they come after a hard moment.
Sometimes they come when a child finally feels safe enough to just be themselves.
That is the kind of experience I want to create for families, especially neurodivergent families who may have felt unseen in traditional photography spaces.
To the Mom Who Feels Overwhelmed Right Now
If you are in the middle of it right now, I want you to hear this:
It is okay.
Take one step at a time.
Enjoy the happy moments, no matter how small they may seem.
And in the low moments, remember that they are temporary. Things do change.
You are never alone.
I see you trying.
I see your patience.
I see your love for your child, even when the world does not always understand it.
And that matters.
You Deserve These Memories Too
Every family deserves to have their story documented.
Not just the easy moments.
Not just the polished moments.
But the real ones too.
If you are a neurodivergent family in the St. Louis area and you have been putting off family photos because it all feels like too much, I want you to know there is a different way to do this.
Your family deserves patience.
Your child deserves to be seen.
And you deserve memories that reflect your real story.
If that is the kind of photography experience you have been looking for, I would be honored to serve your family.