For a long time I have best described Levi has having special needs. That was and still is true. He has had a speech impairment since roughly 15 months old and was diagnosed with a speech delay.

Levi's childhood and our journey in parenthood so far has not been what most consider "typical", but I think I can speak for both Nathan and myself when I say that learning how to be a parent with everything Levi has taught and is teaching us, is so worth it. Yes there are tough days, but they make us stronger and better parents and humans.

The first time someone suggested an autism evaluation levi was just over 2 years old. He was working through speech and occupational therapy for more than an hour each week.

In November 2024, Levi had an evaluation that helped confirm a suspicion we had for years, but never had an answer. In February 2025, Levi's school completed his re-evaluation that was due. In March, five days after his 6th birthday, Levi was officially diagnosed by his pediatrician he's seen since birth, with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

Giving a label to the way Levi's brain works changes nothing about him. He was the same boy before an evaluation and diagnosis as he was after. We have always and will continue to advocate for everything he needs to live his best life.

Yes, some things look different.

Yes, the future is a big question mark.

Yes, our Levi is the same little boy we were

raising before his Autism diagnosis.

Nathan and I now have new and different resources to parent Levi to our best ability and navigate understanding the different ways that his brain works, how he thinks, his behaviors and how he processes things.

In our home; we believe in the power of YET, and we are eager to see the things Levi will do as time goes on.

This is just the beginning and I will share more about our journey throughout the month of April in hope to spread awareness, acceptance, and potentially help someone else.