From Non-Verbal to High Honor Roll

If I hadn’t pushed, would we be having this conversation today?

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I still remember the day we got Julianna’s autism diagnosis at age 2. The specialists weren’t optimistic. They told me she might never speak, might never function in a mainstream classroom, might never… (fill in the blank with every limitation they threw at us).

 

What they didn’t count on? ME.

 

Because I refused to settle for “might never.”

 

And today, I’m texting back and forth with my 12-year-old about her own academic goals which is to make High Honor Roll each marking period (Carrying an average of 94 or better across all classes)

 

—A kid who once couldn’t say a word, now debating with me about when and how to get extra help for science.

Check it out here:

First off… as I share these texts, I’m still in AWE this a conversation I am having with my child who was diagnosed moderate to severe on the spectrum 10 years ago.

 

The same child I taught sign language to, the one that potty trained preverbal with just one of those signs, is now debating with me on how and when she’ll utilize extra help to hit her high honor roll grades. 


Now, do I agree with all her reasoning? No. 

 

But do I respect that she has taken ownership of her success? Absolutely.

 

This isn’t luck. 

 

This isn’t “it just worked out.” 

 

It’s because I’ve held her to the highest possible standard every step of the way.

 

Progress in autism isn’t always a straight line. There were times when it felt like we were standing still, but every so often, there’d be a massive leap forward.

 

• First grade: She found her best friend and built a social circle—they coined ‘The Square’ of herself, her bestie, her brother and his best – kids who have each other’s backs.
• Swim team: She took pride in contributing to something bigger than herself.
• Independence: She fought for the right to stay home alone and pick her own clothes.

And now she’s 12, in middle school, and setting her own academic goals.

 

Middle school hit us like a freight train. The work is demanding, the expectations are high, and the routine is relentless. 

 

But guess what? So is she.

 

She doesn’t need me dragging her toward excellence. She wants it for herself.

 

HER standard? High Honor Roll every marking period.

 

 

At the end of it all, her average for Marking Period 2… 94.25.

 

This is what happens when you never lower the bar.

 

If I had listened when they told me she’d “never” do XYZ…

 

If I had accepted that non-verbal meant she’d never communicate…

 

If I had let her stay in the bubble of low expectations, would she have ever left diapers…

 

Would we be having this conversation today?

 

NO.

This isn’t about “forcing” our kids. It’s about BELIEVING IN what’s possible for them before they can see it for themselves.

 

No matter where your child falls on the spectrum, having high expectations is mandatory. Not optional. Not a “nice to have.”

 

 

Your child will rise (or fall) to the standard you set

Xo Michelle

 

P.S. If you want to work with a coach who knows how to help you get these kinds of results for your child, let’s talk. I help parents take their kids with Autism further than they ever thought possible. Click here to book a call to learn more about working together.