🏳️‍🌈IAN👬

We couldn’t be more proud of the big brother Baymax is. Gustism Acceptance Month - Day 8 Embrace. Celebrate. Accept.

Phoenix shows up for Gus in ways that are understanding and full of love. He meets Gus where he is, celebrates who he is, and stands by him every day. Siblings of children with autism often develop a deep sense of empathy and understanding. We see that in Phoenix every day.

This is Gus and his big brother, Phoenix. Gus calls him “Baymax”...and honestly, it fits. In the movie Big Hero 6 (one of Gus's favorite movies), the character Baymax is a helper....calm, patient, always there when he’s needed. That’s exactly who Phoenix is for Gus.

When it comes to food, Gus knows what he likes! Chicken nuggets, french fries, mashed potatoes, ramen noodles, Spaghetti O’s. Right now it’s ramen noodles or mashed potatoes. Gustism Acceptance Month – Day 7 Embrace. Celebrate. Accept.

In an earlier post we mentioned vocal stimming. When you see him flap his hands or move his fingers rapidly, that’s physical stimming. Just another way that helps him regulate, show excitement, and feel comfortable in his body. Gustism Acceptance Month – Day 6

Some children with autism experience delayed speech, and language doesn’t always develop in typical ways. For Gus, communication often includes scripting which is repeating phrases he hears from people, movies, or his favorite shows. Gustism Acceptance Month – Day 5

One thing Gus does often is line up his toys. Same toys. Same order. Every time. In doing so, there's predictability, structure, and a sense of control in a world that doesn’t always feel that way for him. Gustism Acceptance Month – Day 4 Embrace. Celebrate. Accept.

One of the realities of autism with Gus is elopement. Elopement, in short, means wandering away from safety. Nearly half of children with autism will do this at some point. Because of that we are always alert, especially outside. Gustism Acceptance Month – Day 3

This is a sound we hear often in our home. Vocal stimming is a common part of autism, & it can help with calming and expressing emotion. It’s not something we try to stop. It's something we’ve learned to understand, and sometimes even join in. Gustism Acceptance Month – Day 2

April is Autism Acceptance Month. In our house, it’s Gustism Acceptance Month Each day, we’ll share a little about Gus and our autism journey. The goal is to share, educate, and celebrate who he is. Gustism Acceptance Month - Day 1 Embrace. Celebrate. Accept. 💙

It may sound like an easy daily trip for some. But for Gus it’s a pretty big deal. For him to get himself dressed, use words to tell me what he wants, and then knowing the way to the store is huge. I’m thankful for times like this…my wallet on the other hand is not. 🤣🤣

We walk through our neighborhood, cut through a cemetery….after a half mile there it is….his happy place. It doesn’t matter if it’s 50° or 20° and snowing. He will dress for the trip and tell me to come on.

Our son Gus has autism. One of his traits is repetition. Once he finds something he likes, he will obsessively do it over and over and over again. His newest kick…walking to @DollarGeneral to buy a toy….or many toys. 😀

@deray So good!

This new season of The Night Agent is stressing me out.

@VicLombardi I’m sure you criticized LaFluer for his game 1 post game handshake, right?

Yeah. Not a good look for Ben Johnson. Great win. Be happy. Be proud. Shake the dude’s hand like an adult.

RT for the chance to win a mini helmet signed by our Walter Payton Man of the Year 💫 #WPMOYChallenge + @idjmoore

Super Mario. Super Gus.

@paytonsun Michigan 🐻⬇️

Roll call!!! #Bears fans…where are you representing from tonight? 🐻⬇️ #SNF

@CDior_ Merry Christmas….enjoy your day!

Merry Christmas 🎄🎁

Gus Gus sighting in the woods.