☀️ Kenzo
My brain works a little different from other kids. That's called ASD! Mama and Daddy learned a lot about it so they could help me better. They'll explain it here — the science parts have big words, so I'll let them take over for most of this chapter!
What is autism spectrum disorder?
💙 Daddy
ASD is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects how a child communicates, interacts with others, 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 wrong. Current research points to a combination of genetic and environmental factors, many of which are still being studied. The important thing is not how it started — it's what you do next.
🇵🇭 In the Philippines
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. Telemed consults have made access much easier in recent years.
How ASD shows up for Kenzo
☀️ Kenzo
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 the right way. I also notice sounds and lights more than other kids — sometimes they 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. My brain just has its own way of doing things.
💗 Mama
What I want other parents to understand is that ASD is not a single thing. Kenzo is kind, curious, and deeply loving. He notices beauty in things most of us walk past. He has a sensitivity to the world that is part of who he is — not something to fix. Our job has always been to help him access more of himself, not to make him someone different.
Common features of ASD
💙 Daddy
Social communication
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 — tone, sarcasm, reading between the lines — more difficult.
Repetitive behaviors & routines
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.
Sensory differences
Many children with ASD are oversensitive to sounds, lights, textures, or tastes — or they may actively seek intense sensory input. Understanding your child's sensory profile is one of the most practical things you can do. It shapes everything from how you set up your home to which therapy approaches will click best.
Getting diagnosed in the Philippines
💗 Mama
The process took longer than I expected. Diagnosis is typically done by a developmental pediatrician using standardized tools like the ADOS-2, CARS-2, or M-CHAT. It involves multiple sessions of observation and detailed parent interviews. My advice: document everything before your first appointment — videos of behaviors, a written timeline of milestones, your notes. Walk in prepared.
💙 Daddy
We also use the ATEC — Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist — to track Kenzo's progress over time. It's a 77-item checklist covering speech, sociability, sensory awareness, and health. We built a free ATEC screener that any family can use, anytime, for free.
After diagnosis: what we did
💗 Mama
Getting the diagnosis wasn't the end of anything. It was the beginning of understanding. Here's what we did:
- Started speech therapy and occupational therapy (twice weekly each)
- Added physical therapy as Kenzo grew
- Explored biomedical evaluation — testing for CFD, FRAA, and mitochondrial dysfunction
- Did the Organic Acids Test to look at how his cells were producing and using energy
- Began a GFCFSF diet based on our functional medicine pediatrician's guidance
- Started targeted supplementation
Each of these is covered in detail in the chapters that follow. The key thing: we didn't stop at the diagnosis. We kept asking questions.
❤️ To other parents
A diagnosis can feel heavy. We know — we'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. The fact that you're reading this means you're already doing something right.