Written by a parent, for parents

The things I wish someone had told me about autism.

I'm Elizabeth. When my daughter was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, I had no map and no one to ask. So I kept notes — on the early signs, the diagnosis, the health surprises, the money, and how to stay standing through it all. This is that map, shared freely.

Start where I started Read the library
A mother and her daughter playing together in soft morning light
1 in 68 children are affected by autism spectrum disorder, and every family's road is different.
Why this site exists

Autism affects the child and the people caring for them. My goal is simple: to help other parents understand the condition sooner, care for their children with more confidence, and remember to look after themselves along the way.

The path we walked

You don't have to learn it all at once.

Here is the road as I travelled it — from the first quiet worries to finding a way to keep myself well. Follow it in order, or jump to wherever you are standing right now.

01

Notice the early signs

Little or no eye contact, not responding to a name, unusual quietness, a preference for being alone. The signs are easy to miss — I missed them for years.

Parenting — the early signs
→
A kitchen table with bills and a calculator
The long read

The Financial Implications in Autism Care

Home modifications, behavioural therapy at $150 a session, a career nearly lost — and a lifetime cost that can reach $1.4 million. The one part of autism care almost no one prepares you for.

Read the full story
A quiet thank-you

Resources I lean on

Organisations, tools and communities that made the caregiving lighter. If you're just starting out, these are good doors to knock on.

Everything I've written

The library

Longer pieces and short field notes, gathered in one place. Start anywhere — they cross-link to one another.

Elizabeth and her daughter baking together in their kitchen
Kitchen notes

The Recipe for Halloween Spider Sandwiches

A little seasonal fun from our kitchen table — a small tradition my daughter and I keep every October.

Read article →
Browse the whole library
And now

What I'm working toward

i.

My mission

To help parents like me understand autism better, and to share the tips that make caring for our children a little easier.

ii.

My vision

A world where caregivers stay healthy while giving their best, and where autistic people are fully integrated and given every opportunity.

iii.

The future

A vibrant community that supports caregivers, keeps raising awareness, and gently ends the stigma around autism.

Friends of the community

Kind companies keeping this open & free

Organisations whose work runs beside the families these pages are written for.