My brain works a little different from other kids — and that's okay! Daddy learned all about it so he could help me better.
My brain works a little different from other kids. That's called ASD! Daddy learned a lot about it so he could help me better. He explains it here — I'll let him take over for this part!
The science parts have big words, so my daddy Jay explains this chapter. Don't worry — he keeps it simple!
ASD is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects how a child communicates, interacts, and experiences the world. The word "spectrum" is important — every child with autism is different. Kenzo is uniquely himself, not a textbook definition.
ASD is not caused by bad parenting, vaccines, or anything a parent did. Current research points to a combination of genetic and environmental factors, many of which are still being studied.
ASD prevalence is estimated at roughly 1 in 100 children. Many families face long waits for diagnosis — especially outside major cities — because developmental pediatricians are concentrated in urban areas. Early identification matters, so trust your instincts and seek evaluation as soon as you have concerns.
For me, ASD means talking is really hard. Daddy says I have something called "gestalt language processing" and maybe "apraxia." Those are big words that mean my brain knows what it wants to say but my mouth has trouble making the words come out. I also notice sounds and lights more than other kids — sometimes they can feel really really big.
But I'm also really good at some things! I can focus on stuff I love for a really long time. I'm affectionate and creative. Daddy says my brain just has its own way of doing things.
Many children with ASD find social communication challenging. This can look like difficulty with eye contact, not always responding to their name, or struggling with back-and-forth conversation. Some children are nonverbal; others speak fluently but find the social side of language — things like tone, sarcasm, and reading social cues — more difficult.
Repetitive movements, strong preferences for routines, and difficulty with transitions are common in ASD. These behaviors often serve a purpose — they can be self-soothing or help a child process their environment. Rather than trying to eliminate them, it helps to understand what need they're meeting.
Many children with ASD are oversensitive to sounds, lights, or textures — or they may actively seek out intense sensory input. Understanding your child's unique sensory profile is one of the most helpful things you can do. It informs everything from therapy goals to how you set up your home.
Diagnosis is typically done by a developmental pediatrician using standardized tools like the ADOS-2, CARS-2, or M-CHAT. The process may involve multiple sessions of observation and parent interviews.
We also use the ATEC (Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist) to track Kenzo's progress over time. It's a 77-item checklist that covers speech, sociability, sensory awareness, and health — and we've built a free ATEC screener that any parent can use.
Each of these steps is covered in detail in the chapters that follow. The key thing is: we didn't stop at the diagnosis. We kept asking questions and kept looking for ways to help Kenzo reach his full potential.
A diagnosis can feel heavy. I know — I've been there. But it's actually a key. It opens doors to understanding, support, and the right interventions for your child. You are your child's best advocate. Trust that instinct that brought you here. The fact that you're reading this means you're already doing something right.