I'm Chris—a father who had to learn that my autistic son didn't need me to fix him. He needed me to understand him. This is my notebook: the fear, the mistakes, the fights, the lessons, and the moments of absolute happiness that came with raising and advocating for Jared. I'm not a clinician. I'm a father who has been through it—and I am with you.
Published
He wasn't doing impressions
Nov 2, 2026 · 2 minBefore we get into it: if Thanksgiving is already sitting heavy, the Holiday Survival Kit has the whole day planned. Gam
Chris Caballero
Halloween doesn't have to be the whole night
Oct 26, 2026 · 2 minBefore we get into it: if Thanksgiving is already sitting heavy, the Holiday Survival Kit has the whole day planned. G
Chris Caballero
He's not being picky. The table is too much.
Oct 19, 2026 · 1 minEverybody's at the table. The food is new, the room is loud, and somebody's saying "just try one bite." For a lot of ou
Chris Caballero
"Autism-friendly" should mean something
Oct 12, 2026 · 2 min"Autism-friendly." It sounds good. But as a parent, I want to know what happens when we actually walk through the door.
Chris Caballero
He used to ask me to finish the level
Oct 5, 2026 · 2 minThe Quiet Fight · An Autism Journeyman's Notebook Some of the most amazing times I've had with Jared were spent in a ro
Chris Caballero
They Don’t Stop Needing Us at 18
Sep 28, 2026 · 3 minThere is a lie people tell themselves about parenting: that once your child becomes an adult, the hard part is over.
Chris Caballero
When I Turned Potty Training Into a Song
Sep 21, 2026 · 2 minThere was a time when potty training felt like one more thing I was getting wrong. Jared was little. He smiled. He laug
Chris Caballero
Before You React, Learn What They’re Trying to Say
Sep 14, 2026 · 2 minThere were times when my son’s behavior would hit me so fast that I reacted before I understood what was happening. The
Chris Caballero