The Diagnosis Diaries: Making the Invisible, Visible

Colton and his Brave Journey Through Childhood Apraxia of Speech  Colton is a bright, funny and determined little boy who has already weathered more than most adults ever will. He’s full of curiosity, always asking “why,” loves to draw and build, and has a laugh that’s truly contagious. But behind Colton’s smile is a long list of diagnoses that he carries with incredible strength and resilience. Here are the medical and developmental conditions Colton lives with: Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS) Phonological Speech Disorder Language Disorder Sensory Processing Disorder Auditory Processing Disorder Congenital Hypothyroidism Mild Cerebral Palsy Autism Spectrum Disorder, Level 1 And due to whole genome sequencing is at risk for developing epilepsy and type 2 diabetes. That’s a lot for one little boy — and a lot for us as his parents, teachers, and doctors to consider in supporting him. But let’s start with the conditi...

Mother. Advocate. Fighter. I never expected to become a fighter. But motherhood changes everything. My name is Stephanie, and I’m the mother of an extraordinary little boy — Colton. He’s funny, gentle, brilliantly unique, and full of curiosity. He also happens to be autistic, with multiple complex medical and developmental conditions that took years to fully uncover. Once a business professional in corporate America, then a 6-figure entrepreneur, I currently find myself a full-time medical mom and advocate for my child.  advocate /ˈad-və-ˌkāt/ (noun) 1. A person who publicly supports or recommends a particular cause, policy, or individual. Example: She became a passionate advocate for autism awareness. 2. Someone who speaks or acts in support of another’s needs, rights, or interests, especially when that person cannot easily do so themselves. Example: As a parent, he served as an advocate for his child in medical and educational settings. It started with a simple comment...