What my Autistic son thinks about turning thirteen. Here comes the teenage years.. 

I've always wondered how my Autistic son would be as a teenager. Now that he's turned thirteen, I am a very proud mama! Watch this week's episode to hear what Dylan has to say about teenagehood.
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'Coming Home to Autism' book:
www.amazon.co....
Social media:
Instagram - / taraleniston
Facebook - / cominghometoautism
Website - cominghometoaut...
Business enquiries:
[e-mail]
Video Producer:
Tiara Westlake www.kamukami.com/
Music:
audiio.com/
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[@saturnprincess88]

Crying 😭. I relate so much to the part where you said you weren't necessarily excited for the future when he was younger and you wondered what 13 would look like. That's how I'm feeling with my almost 5 year old right now. I'm hoping to be feeling how you feel in the future. You've worked hard to get here. Happy birthday 🎂, Dylan!

[@camillecunningham7361]

Dorothy, I feel that way so cautious about my 6 year old too!! Thank goodness this video validates that feeling

[@saturnprincess88]

@@camillecunningham7361 yes, I love how honest Tara is!

[@kasey-ls5fv]

Read my comment. Mine is 29. Doing well😊

[@sarahw.mcelyea5655]

Things get better. Hold out hope. 😃 (Mine are 20 and 25 now.) ❤️

[@andrealedezma9964]

my son is 5 and i’m so scared of his future … so comforting to see that you are not scared anymore

[@rubyrouge988]

Same! My son is 3.5 and I feel so relieved seeing how charming her son is. He’s like my baby’s in 10 years. So silly and sweet. Ugh.

[@marshsees1532]

This is so awesome! I have a 5 year old autistic granddaughter. She is starting to speak more words now. I know she wants to learn and grow. Seeing your beautiful 13 year old son and the progress that he has made is so encouraging. I worry about my granddaughter's future.....seeing this gives me hope!

[@Chickadee_21]

No idea why i am crying too watching this. Happy Birthday Dylan ❤

[@ComingHometoAutism]

We love our on line family x

[@ElwynnForest]

If you hadn’t told me, I would have no idea he had autism, like at all. My son just recently got diagnosed at 2 years old and I was shocked and so scared. I was so terrified and didn’t know what to do. But your channel is helping me so much and I feel the emotions and tears you are showing too. I hope and pray my boy would turn out as positive as yours and I hope to not feel scared too!!

[@ritakalaaji6968]

I cried so much, I am so proud of Daylan and his momma . My son is 27 months, autistic so we are in the beginning of our journey. Daylan videos gives me hope and strength that we can survive this 😢. Sending so much love

[@ComingHometoAutism]

Thank you x

[@mayaurbano-aly2768]

I’m crying too. So happy for you and Dylan, he’s such a handsome and funny young man. My daughter is 7 and I do feel anxious and yes sometimes scared for her future. She’s also wonderful and I will never give up on her having as close to a normal life possible. This gives me so much hope. Happy Birthday Dylan.🎉

[@Traceydiag]

This really warmed my heart. As someone that has been watching for the last couple years, this has given me so much hope. You’ve done an amazing job 💕💕

[@ComingHometoAutism]

Thank you lovely x

[@dominiquegordon8813]

Happy Birthday Dylan. Great job mom Tara and thanks again for sharing your story with us. You have no idea how much you helped me in the beginning of my 18 month old son's whose now 2.5 years old journey. Blessing to you and your family from USA ❤️🙏🙌

[@ComingHometoAutism]

Thank you so much. I’m so happy I was of some help to you sending you so much love x

[@druppling]

Dillon is a Lovely, Conquering young man!! Happy BLESSED Birthday #13!! Keep striving, growing and Reaching for your independent Future!!

[@AutismCanDo]

Nice to meet you Dylan 😍 I am a young autistic adult originally from the Philippines but living in Singapore. Happy Birthday to you and I wish you all the best. Whooo! 🥰

[@ComingHometoAutism]

Thanks for joining our online family

[@dominiquegordon8813]

Tears of joy. Thank you Lord ❣️🙌

[@mitisrivastava]

Belated happy birthday Dylan….we your KZbin family really proud of you son…. I am watching you since you were 10 years old….. lots of love and best wishes to you, god bless you son…..

[@ComingHometoAutism]

Ah thank you x

[@tennesseetexan281]

Oh mama! I’m crying over this! I needed this to encourage me with my mom-conversational 3 year old. Thank you and congratulations to your teenager!!!❤❤❤

[@ComingHometoAutism]

Thank you x

[@1elitegeek]

Oh my goodness so heartwarming I laughed and cried 😭😭😭 thank you for sharing this with us

[@victoriayoung8529]

Happy birthday Dylan!!! 🎂 omg he is hilarious, what a great sense of humor! You are an amazing mom. My son is almost 3 and on the spectrum. Smart, funny, mischievous, loving, talkative. I often wonder what his future will look like. This makes me less scared, which is everything.

[@ComingHometoAutism]

I’m so pleased x

[@amandaarvesen6760]

Sorry I'm late Dylan but I want to wish you a happy birthday and you are an amazing teenager. Tell mom I said hi and your mom and you have taught me a lot. I deal with a friend of mine who's son has autism and you and your mom and family have taught me a lot about autism. Thank you for being you. With lots of love from my family to yours ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@priyasrinath3426]

Happy birthday Dear Dylan … life hasn’t been easy for u but I am sure you will sail through like a rock star ❤

[@Estradarp]

I cried tears of pure joy. Happy birthday little man. ❤️

[@lisanolan6835]

A Massive Happy Birthday Dylan ! What a wonderful young man you have become ,plus you are very funny, you had me in fits! haha . Enjoy the beginning of your teens , I look forward to all the exciting cool stuff you will do along the way xxx

[@ibasanglyne2908]

Never met you guys but I don't why I'm so proud,why I'm crying watching this but you give me as a mom of an autistic child so much hope

[@ComingHometoAutism]

Thank you so much. Everything is going to be ok x

[@AnneOnStage110]

I AM CRYING!! A TEEN!! This literally reminds me of my 13th birthday. In December This year!! I have struggled With The Same And I just want him to know He Is NEVER ALONE HE CAN ALWAYS TALK TO ME AND ALL OF THE OTHER AMAZING PEOPLE IN THIS Community Happy Birthday!!💕🛒

[@marybaker9401]

Happy Birthday Dillon!! Hope you have a blessed year being 13 years old!! Looking forward to seeing more videos!

[@3dlance128]

When my chaild was diagnososed 2 years ago i foundnout your channel, it was such an inspiration for me and i felt like im not alone. Great tonsee the sevelopment of dylan. Please share more about his present situatuon. 🎉

[@meaghanredahan4041]

Happy 13th birthday Dylan….. I hope you had a wonderful time celebrating…. Such a beautiful video…. You can really feel the genuine pride in your parents voices… I hope I can feel like you one day Tara- no longer scared… such an inspirational family… thank you for sharing all your videos- they help so much.

[@tingc2154]

A very proud mum! Bravo! I am crying

[@Java-D]

Happy birthday Dylan!!

[@HS-qe8km]

Happy Birthday handsome young man 🎉 I was welling up when you started crying xxx

[@ComingHometoAutism]

🥰🥰🙏🏻

[@luzmercado-cole4531]

Such a beautiful video & family. I cried my eyes out. Such a sweet & smart boy ! Ive watched your videos in & out for a few months. Love your family & so glad to see Dylans progress ! Just amazing ! God bless you guys !!

[@JuLia-kk6lh]

Awwww, I have 2 boys non verbal, still on nappies and I really cant see their future and I just hope that everything will turn right as it did for your lovely son. 🙏🏼🤗🤞🏼❤🙌🏽

[@CN-pr8le]

I'm crying, Dylan and family you are all an inspiration.

[@ComingHometoAutism]

Thank you thank you x

[@TrixAndWhipz]

Happy birthday Dylan see you at school on Monday! :)

[@GemmasJourneyGrace]

Happy birthday Dylan have a amazing time 🎉

[@aadilahhasware5012]

It was such a lovely video that brought tears to my eyes..happy that you can experience this after all the challenges of your journey, and I can relate to the scary feelings you mentioned when Dylan was little. I'm also fearful of my son's future. He's only 4 and a half, but your video gives me hope, and I'm sure to others who are still at the start of their journey. Dylans fathers words were also so touching ❤❤

[@TeeAlee143]

My son is 6 and you are mending my heart with these videos, Bless you and thank you and your family so very much! Your son and family are beautiful and it's absolutely wonderful to see this!💙🙏💙

[@ComingHometoAutism]

I promise all is going to be ok. I know it’s a journey and not always good days. But trust me when I say it’s all going to be ok… ❤️

[@naomie6415]

My faves are back 🥰 happy late 13th birthday Dylan, you’re so funny and have such a good character. Tara you are such an inspiration, you’ve helped me so much so forever grateful. Love to you all 😘😘😘

[@ComingHometoAutism]

Thank you so much lovely x

[@ramitodevioletas575]

😢😢😢 you’re extraordinary parents ❤❤❤ Dylan is doing great

[@AdventuresWithOutdoorEagle]

Happy Birthday! A great milestone! you just described what adventure everyone has to/has gone through, you are a very special boy, enjoy and make the most out of everything :)

[@ComingHometoAutism]

These messages are making me so emotional x

[@zahrakazmi88]

Happy birthday! So happy for you 🥳 your video gives me hope that my 6 year old, autistic son will get better with time! Insha'Allah 💖

[@urvi0916]

Happy bde Dylan🍰🎁, kp growing, shining, god bless u😌

[@jpwphoenix1701]

Happy belated birthday to Dylan! I hope he had an amazing day.🎂🎈🎁🥳

[@leeanneb]

Happy Birthday to such a wonderful young man 🎉🎉 x

[@anap1362]

Congratulations to your boy, mama! You are doing an amazing job! I can relate to being scared about their future at the early years (my 3 year old is also on the spectrum). I pray one day I will also not be scared 🙏🏼

[@truthseeker1080]

Happy birthday Dylan 🎆🥳🥳🥳 beautiful little man 🎉 proud of you and your family 💗

[@lauraray611]

Happy birthday Dylan!! 🎂

[@zakadams762]

please help him be an adult too, Its embarrassing to talk about, but there are a lot of challenges for me. I didn't get as much support so I care about it a lot. Its important for me to have good communication with my bosses and exposure to the work place. I keep my life as simple as possible and that really helps my particular life a lot. Congrats on reaching the dreaded teen years!! Those were some of my favorite times despite some normal struggles

[@juliemadden6857]

This video made me laugh and cry! I’m so proud of you Dylan, what a wonderful, funny, loving, intelligent young man you have grown into❤ xx

[@archanadas6726]

Happy birthday Dylan . Your hope to lot of kids . Be strong and live life to the fullest.Happy birthday 🎉

[@jaimereynolds258]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Mine turns 15 next week 🥰

[@truthseeker1080]

Happy birthday to him 🥳🎂

[@ComingHometoAutism]

Happy birthday to your baby x

[@josh8780]

Happy 13th Birthday Dylan, what a guy, what a family!

[@irishrob4035]

I have a 18 month old woth all the signs of having ASD. I pray to God he can achieve what your little lad has

[@jillschiller4932]

He had me laughing so hard at the beginning. 😂 And you had me crying moments later. Congratulations 🎊 You have a beautiful family

[@ComingHometoAutism]

Thank you so much!!

[@agatareinvald4931]

Happy birthday Dylan! You’re such a handsome guy!☺️

[@rajnidubey6879]

First time watching you guys. Many-many happy returns of the day ! 🎂 I am still waiting to have my first verbal communication with my 4 year old girl. 🙂 In last message i can feel the depth of love you have for him! Blessings for his bright future and Love and light to all ❤️

[@ComingHometoAutism]

Welcome to our little one line family 🥰

[@camillecunningham7361]

Happy Birthday to Dylan, your whole family and you!!🎉

[@bhela2619]

This is beautiful. .because of him... I'm now excited for my son's future🙏🎉 and I never thought I would be at this point immortionally and it's a huge feeling trust us we know especially because we've watched Dylan grow, his like our second son we never had. He gives, gives🥲🥲🥲 so much hope. My son is turning 4 in May and he also got diagnosed at 2 and has also conquered alot, I can't believe he brushes his teeth to say the least yes his non verbal (very vocal with alot of sounds and inbetween say alot of different words) and just aloving affectionate seeing your child grow and improve is rewarding. We love u and fam and plz never stop this channel. I'll take one video a month. Happy bday Dylan. SA love u and may I say we missed u💕🌻🐕‍🦺🐕

[@ComingHometoAutism]

Thank you so much

[@jasveerkaur6282]

God bless Dylan..😍 So many congratulations 👏👏🎉🎉

[@jessicajarbouh4409]

Happy Birthday Prince you are an inspiration 🙏👏👏👏❤️

[@annad6519]

He’s an adorable kid! Great work, parents!

[@shannonhager9999]

He's going to be a heartbreaker!

[@tawannawilliams3761]

This is very encouraging ans beautiful thanks for sharing ❤❤❤it gave me hope

[@MJeanzy]

Love this so much. Happy birthday, Dylan!

[@helenjames6982]

Happy birthday Dylan!

[@Shardulee]

Happy birthday little super hero 😘

[@sarahw.mcelyea5655]

Oh, amazing!!! Growing up so nicely!!!

[@Thedesertcouple]

Thank you for giving me something to look forward to ❤😭

[@hopeandalittleautism]

Happy Birthday Dylan...keep growing and progressing...🎈❤️

[@swatidhondiyal7789]

I just wish I am as blessed as you are.

[@eimantepol5847]

This gives me so much hope ❤

[@kasey-ls5fv]

Hello. Take a deep breath. It will continue to get better. You just have to keep pushing and having him try new things. My autistic son is now 29 has masters degree in computer and a wonderful girlfriend who is a MD. Never thought he could get a girlfriend and now he lives in another state making great money with many friends and his girlfriend too. Looking back I think I his Mom ok things to heart at times harder than him… he had many disappointments such as tons f job interviews. We worried was he coming across odd? Well it just takes the one offer and he as off to the races…. Because of his autism he has a better working attitude and is so helpful to his workmates. Again we pushed him to go to grad school,- he loves learning it was the best thing…… all in all I can say that you gotta make sure you stay involved with him. Even after he goes away to college --reported to me he didn’t need deodorant due to the harsh chemicals. Got him on organic . May God bless you and all your family.

[@saturnprincess88]

May I ask which therapies or treatments helped?

[@profha2]

Great video 👍 👏 👌 📹 🙌 and you guys are great parents. You never gave up

[@ljaderomero]

Dylan has an incredible sense of humor! 🎉🩵

[@malaikaahmed1020]

Such a cute video omg beautiful to see how far he has come x

[@alexleo82]

Happy birthday gorgeous 🥳xx

[@hanaechiar7563]

Happy birthday Dylan 😍this video got me so emotional and happy 😍

[@ComingHometoAutism]

🥰🥰

[@MimieWite-Nkate]

He is hilarious 😂 😃 Happy belated handsome one.

[@SCruz-ec9hi]

Happy birthday ❤❤❤ your journey is so inspiring

[@TPAA2024]

You are an inspiration, happy birthday 🎉

[@ComingHometoAutism]

Thank you so much!

[@valm.0]

Omg what’s next ?😂 we love you Dylan . Happy birthday

[@DestinyRain18]

aww happy birthday!

[@kaneezali2856]

Gave us so much hope

[@giovannacruzfritsch6789]

I love to see that he was not verbal and now he is speaking so well. My grandaughter has been diagnosed with autism. She is verbal, but she still needs help. She just turned 5. She is as lovely person as your son. Question, I could see his bestfriend, Is he autistic as well? Is he in a special school or Inclusive school?. Thank you in advance

[@JessicaWorld-kb5rz]

That’s a hard age sure he will do great he already is doing good good conversation skills he has

[@kaneezali2856]

Happy birthday to dd

[@aleenodadjian3687]

I just love this channel. Everything here makes me happy. Happiest birthday, Dylan! Sending lots of love from LA! ❤

[@josiecullen784]

so special 🤍

[@Ohvfdscvnmmmj]

Thank you so much for sharing your family journey thank you ❤😢😢😢❤❤❤😊😊😊😊

[@ComingHometoAutism]

You are so welcome

[@erjolasuci9409]

Amazing lady ❤️ ♥️

[@farheenfaisal7928]

Happy Birthday to your cute son. Did you gave him speech therapy also? Actually my son is 5 years old now but he speaks little bit. He can't reply yet.

[@nathanjw940]

Dylan I have been there. I know you will have an amazing future I hate the feeling of hair including my own so I shave my beard so it never grows.

[@TheRealKidd86]

Happy Birthday Dylan! It's so nice to see the diversity in his friendships! I'm new to the channel, my son was diagnosed at 18 months. I was looking at your older videos regarding autism and food. Is Dylan still gluten free? I 'm scheduled to see a "special" nutritionist however she charges $420 an hour so I figured let me do my own research first and see if I can be my own nutritionist!

[@ComingHometoAutism]

Oh wow yeah I wouldn’t waste your money. Honestly I kept Dylan gluten free dairy free for a number of years because his stool was very loose. Gluten made a difference for sure . If you go to my webpage www.cominghometoautism.com you can send me an email and have a look at my mentoring I can go through some simple things with him. So many people charge a fortune as soon as they hear autism or special needs ! Drives me mad! Preying on us vulnerable parents . So many simple things that you can do at home with out spending all that money x

[@TheRealKidd86]

​@@ComingHometoAutism Checking it out now! Many thanks -Gabrielle

[@awakened3651]

As you rightfully celebrate, hang on to your hats when puberty hits as the neuropsych who diagnosed our brilliant daughter at age 6 said. Puberty and autism is a nuclear combination, regardless of how amazingly wonderful they are. Happy Birthday Dylan. Welcome to manhood.

[@vienna844]

How is he doing in school? Can he read? Is he on grade level?

[@DavidHalverson]

Happy 13th Birthday and welcome to the teenage years. Confusing as it may become, body changes, hair where there was none. See your voice has changed and I missed the "cracking stage". Best part of being a teenager, you will now find yourself interested in girls. Maybe even having a cute girl hanging around that's taken an interest in you. Seeing them as being more than friends to play with in the backyard or livingroom, but now "friends with benefits"; maybe even being invited to or hosting your own parties and sleepovers. Advise: Just be careful, girls are good at tricking you into doing stuff. Your hormones are going to be your worst enemy; learn to control your desires/your hormones. My own son (aspergers syndrome) was never shy and always had 4 or 5 girls hanging around as friends. Got invites to parties and sleepovers, which meant I had to give him the birds and bees talk at 12 years of age (Grade 7). Especially when he got dating with a girl who had plans to sleep her way through the boys in the classroom.

[@ShrekFleck]

God bless you.

[@st-ko5zo]

My daughter is like this.she is 4....i wonder sometimes how hard Human life is!!!! Being parents is like being appointed by God Himself in an angelic positionitself,,,,,caring selflessly for a small child , raising him/her, bearing all the troubles that come your way... May God be with all of us.aMen.

[@go3119]

Please can I ask Dylan what treatments or therapies he felt was most helpful? What he enjoyed? (My autistic son is 7 and we are trying everything but it would be nice to hear from a fellow autistic person what worked for him) xx

[@marathigirlinhyderabad]

hii my son is also having some autism symptoms but it resolving after stop screen, i am just worried about his speech, he is not talkibg , he is 2 yrs old now, dies i need to do speech therapy??

[@kaneezali2856]

I m so happy for you and for your son please can you help us what kind of therapy you think works we are in uk and not any help here we don’t no what to do please help

[@ComingHometoAutism]

Hey there I have lots of videos on this subject your might find helpful. One is all about the therapies that we did x

[@darakirdar]

Did he recover? Or still diagnosed. I could not see any difference from others