💜 Maybe I Was Only Looking For Words
For years, I thought communication was something I was waiting to hear.
A word.
A phrase.
A sentence.
But Bella has been teaching me that communication doesn’t always arrive the way we expect it to.
Sometimes it’s the way she comes closer.
Sometimes it’s the way she stays connected while she’s playing.
Sometimes it’s the way she reaches for comfort, familiarity, and the people she trusts.
The older she gets, the more I realize I may have been looking for words while she was communicating all along. 💜
As an autism mom, I’m learning that understanding often starts when we stop looking for what we expected and start noticing what’s already there.
✨ What Bella May Be Trying To Communicate
#AutismMom #AutismJourney #NonverbalAutism #AutismAcceptance #Neurodiversity #WatchBellaBloom
When living with and supporting a child on the autism spectrum, especially one who is nonverbal, I've learned that communication transcends spoken language. From my observations, communication often reveals itself through subtle behaviors and emotional cues rather than words. For instance, Bella's way of coming closer or maintaining connection while playing shows her desire for closeness and engagement. I used to wait for verbal expressions—words, phrases, sentences—but gradually realized that I had been searching for indicators of communication while she was sharing her feelings and needs differently all along. Recognizing these nonverbal signals deepened our relationship and helped me better understand her perspective. Communication in autism can be as nuanced as gestures, eye contact, or seeking comfort from trusted people. These actions convey trust, familiarity, and emotional safety, which are fundamental in building bonds. Nonverbal cues also serve as a bridge to neurodiversity awareness, emphasizing that there are multiple valid ways to communicate. This journey underscores the importance of patience, observation, and openness. By stopping to expect conventional communication, caregivers can notice what is already present—those authentic expressions of self that often go unnoticed. Encouraging acceptance of neurodiversity means valuing each individual's unique way of connecting with the world. It highlights that silence or the absence of words does not equate to absence of voice. Reflecting on Bella’s experiences has been a powerful reminder that understanding starts with seeing and appreciating those often overlooked moments of communication.
Bella is Beautiful ❤️