Navigating Autism: A Mother’s Perspective

A mother from West Michigan is working tirelessly to spread awareness and education about her son’s growth and challenges with autism spectrum disorder. Emily Dilly, the proud mom, shares her journey as she navigates the complexities of raising her son, Artie, who was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder when he was just two years old.

Artie’s early development was marked by significant challenges. His mother, Emily Dilly, stated that he was nonverbal, unable to communicate in complete sentences, and primarily used jargon. This created a barrier for communication and connection. Additionally, he was sensitive to various textures in food and clothing and struggled with insomnia, which further complicated his daily life. Emily’s desire to help her son led her to explore various avenues for support.

“We did everything we could, but there was more than what we could offer and so we knew that we wanted to do something about it,” Dilly said. Determined to find the right resources for Artie, she started researching online, which opened her eyes to the possibilities of obtaining a proper diagnosis and the help that would follow. However, this journey was not without its challenges. They faced a long wait for an appointment with a psychiatrist, taking nine months before they could see someone in Traverse City.

“When you are two years old, nine months is a very long percentage of your lifetime, and so in the meantime, we were struggling, we were in a very hard place,” Dilly said. This period of waiting was filled with uncertainty and frustration, but ultimately led to a diagnosis that allowed the family to seek professional help for Artie.

The mom uses social media to document Artie’s journey, creating an Instagram page called In.Arties.World. This platform serves as a digital scrapbook where she shares videos, pictures, and updates on Artie’s progress and improvements. “I wanted something to look back on to remember how hard it was and where we were and then look at where we are now,” Dilly explained. This initiative not only captures their experiences but also aims to inspire other families facing similar challenges.

The Dillys are grateful for the advancements they’ve witnessed and are hopeful for continued growth in the future. Emily emphasizes the importance of celebrating Artie’s uniqueness and the positive aspects of his diagnosis. “We celebrate autism because it’s not a scary thing. It’s not a bad thing. He is just different, and I love Artie because he’s so unique,” Dilly said. “It’s hard and it makes life hard sometimes, but not impossible and I just feel like having a month to celebrate is really special.”