Autism & Music: Life Without Words

-

Growing up, I always had an attraction to music. There was never a specific genre.. just songs that spoke to me. Realistically, that ended up being a lot of country music. I’ve always been drawn to the storytelling songs, the ones that make you feel something deep inside.


I’ve often heard there’s a unique connection between autistic children and music, and now, as Wyatt’s mom, I’ve seen that magic with my own eyes.


Wyatt loves music. Nursery rhymes are his favorite, and he’s a gestalt language processor, so much of the speech he uses comes from the lyrics he hears. But it’s not just the words... it’s the way he experiences music that takes my breath away.


He has this sensory chair that he loves to spin on. He’ll spin for hours, lost in his own little world. But when a powerful song comes on - a song with a story, with emotion..you can see the difference. Wyatt will spin with his eyes tightly closed, as if he’s pulling the music into his soul, as if he’s trying to feel every note in his bones.


It’s one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever witnessed.


While Wyatt and I can’t have typical conversations yet, music gives us this shared language. When he closes his eyes and spins, and I sit there listening alongside him, I know - we’re feeling the same thing. In that moment, we’re connected in a way words could never capture.


Autism is hard. It’s overwhelming. But it’s also so incredibly beautiful sometimes. And moments like these - where I see my son experiencing pure joy and connection through music.. are the moments that remind me how special this journey really is.


Music speaks where words can’t. And with Wyatt, it speaks volumes 💕


Kerri

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Argonaute Syndromes Conference

-
 This weekend marks an important event... the Argonaute Syndromes Conference in Prague, Czech Republic. Families, doctors, and researchers from around the world are coming together to share knowledge, progress, and hope. Financially, we couldn’t make the trip across the ocean, so we had to settle for watching through Zoom. Of course, it’s not the same as being there in person, but I’m grateful for the chance to still feel connected. You may have noticed that I sometimes use different words when talking about Wyatt’s condition, and it might sound a little confusing. So let me break it down: Argonaute Syndromes is an umbrella term for a group of genetic mutations that affect a family of genes called Argonaute proteins. These proteins are essential for gene regulation... basically, they help keep countless processes in the body running the way they should. There are four main Argonaute genes: AGO1, AGO2, AGO3, and AGO4. Wyatt’s mutation is in the AGO2 gene. This particular gene change...
Read more

How We Got Here: Life Without Words

-
From the very first moment I met Wyatt, I knew there was something special about him. He came into this world with his eyes wide open.. so alert, soaking everything in, as if he didn’t want to miss a single thing. While most newborns sleep endlessly, Wyatt seemed fascinated by the world around him. He looked at everything and everyone, and I remember thinking, this little boy is different - in the best way. When Wyatt was a baby, he was actually a great sleeper. He slept through the night with no problem at all, which I now know was a blessing many parents don’t get to experience. But as time went on, we started noticing some delays. Around 12 to 18 months, it became clear that he was behind in walking and talking. He also became an incredibly picky eater—bananas, in particular, were his nemesis. I’ve tried sneaking bananas into so many foods, but he always catches me. Now at four and a half, he’ll open them just to smash them. Maybe one day he’ll eat one, but for now, smashing seems...
Read more

Siblings: Life Without Words

-
Sibling relationships are special, but in our home, they look a little different. Wyatt's little sister, Sophia, is only 1½. Watching them together has been one of the most beautiful - and at times, emotional, parts of our journey. When Sophia was born, Wyatt barely paid attention to her. To him, she was just… there. She cried, she slept, she existed in his world, but not as someone he interacted with. That all changed when Sophia hit a milestone that shocked us all - she started walking at just 7 months old! (Seriously, a baby that tiny walking?!) Suddenly, she was no longer just the baby in the background. She was moving, exploring, and Wyatt started to notice. Now, he doesn’t actively play with her, but there are small moments.. times when they’ll parallel play side by side. Sophia adores her big brother. She wants to be around him, to follow him everywhere. Wyatt, on the other hand, values his personal space. He loves spending time alone in his bedroom, listening to music a...
Read more