articles

April Autism Awareness: 7 Qualities Marky Has That I Wish I Did

By Carissa Garabedian, Editor and Publisher, Macaroni Kid Richmond April 12, 2018

So much of our time as parents to kids with special needs is spent helping and defending our children, that as April Awareness is here, I thought it would be a great thing to share qualities my son has that I WISH I did. Qualities that would help so many of us achieve our goals and grow in so many ways!

Here is my list of 7 qualities I wish I had:

1. His exceptional memory.
Marky can tell us how many movies he has seen over the last 9 years. He can tell us the date of things we did years ago, and he can give you directions to a place he has been to, even if it was only once. I can’t recall what I did yesterday on most mornings and am lost without a GPS!

2. His inability to lie.
Marky speaks his truth! You may not want to know that your breath smells or that he threw his dinner away, but he is going to let you know. Many times you won’t even have to ask.

3. He is not embarrassed.
He will dance in a store, ask someone he does not know a question about the game they are playing, or walk to the front of the line at a bathroom (because he HAS to go) without ever wondering what people think about him. He doesn’t give thought to being judged and he doesn't judge others. Imagine that?

4.  His attention to detail/order.
In all he does, he has his routine and does it without being asked. Once he knows what is expected, he knows what to do. Whether it is showering before school, studying for his spelling test, or cleaning up after dinner - it gets done. I do not need to ask Marky where something is, he knows!

5. He is happy.
Kindness is his way. Most things he does, he does with a smile. He finds joy in it all. School is always “great”. New adventures are exciting and what he has is enough.

6. He could ride roller coasters all day, every day.
The more spins, loops, and drops the better! He is not fearful and the smile consumes his being!

7.  He is so logical.
He can remove emotion and make decisions. He also is literal, so things are very black-and-white. I know my husband would love for me to have this ability when at a restaurant or deciding what to wear!

Life brings him joy. His enthusiasm and happiness are contagious. People know who he is and smile when he is around.

I continue to learn from him as I guide him on this path of life. Ironic, right?

Carissa Garabedian is the publisher of knowdifferent.net and mother to a special needs child in Richmond, Virginia. Carissa also publishes the award-winning Macaroni Kid of Richmond, VA.


Great articles about Autism.  Autistic Children and Their Families with New COVID-19 ResourcesHalloween & Autism Tips and Advice, Living With Autism: When A Sibling Leaves for College, FireWorks and Autism, Friendship with Autism, Tips for the Holidays & Children, Holiday Letter “From” A Child With AutismGeorgia Aquarium Designated as a Certified Autism Center, Qualities I Wish I Did, Autism Awareness Month,  New Diagnosis

LIKE THIS ARTICLESandy Springs Dunwoody Macaroni Kid is a free weekly newsletter and website focused on fun family events and information in Sandy Springs, Dunwoody, Chamblee, Doraville, Atlanta, and Perimeter. We gather together all kinds of local family events and activities each week and add useful information about classes, family-focused businesses, book and product reviews, recipes, crafts, school and camp guides and more. We proudly serve families in Sandy Springs, Dunwoody, Chamblee, Doraville, Atlanta, and Perimeter! Sandy Springs Dunwoody Macaroni Kid is full of useful local information like this PLUS tons of kid-friendly events on our event calendar. Have an event you'd like submitted to our calendar for consideration? Submit an event here. Like what you see here and want to get all the fun delivered to your inbox weekly? Subscribe to our FREE weekly e-newsletter for 411 on the local family fun. You can find Sandy Springs Dunwoody Macaroni Kid on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.