Spring is a season of light, optimism, and new beginnings. The cold, quiet months of winter fade away, making space for warmth, color, and growth. It’s a time to step outside, stretch, and embrace all the beauty around us.
For families like ours, spring also represents new opportunities to connect. As the mother of Ally, an autistic artist, I know firsthand how meaningful it is to find ways to deepen our bond—not just through words, but through shared experiences. I love how spring fills our home and our hearts with light. As the season arrives, Ally and I love watching for signs of spring. Spotting greenery as it pokes out of the ground and buds as they begin to grow fills us with hope, happiness, and inspiration.
This season, I’m inspired by one of Ally’s beautiful pieces, “Bloom”—a radiant pink and purple flower with a golden yellow center. The vibrant petals remind me of the joy that comes with embracing change, while the golden yellow center radiates warmth—like the sun returning after a long winter. Much like the flowers beginning to open, this artwork reminds us to nurture our relationships, embrace growth, and find new ways to shine.
If you’ve ever watched flowers bloom, you know it doesn’t happen all at once. It’s a process—slow, patient, and full of beauty.
In many ways, this reminds me of what it’s like to connect with a child on the autism spectrum. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach, no instant solutions. Instead, it’s about finding the right conditions—love, patience, and acceptance—and allowing connection to unfold in its own time.
Spring is the perfect time to reset and renew our approaches. If the colder months felt isolating or challenging, now is an opportunity to step into the warmth, both physically and emotionally.
With fresh energy and longer, sun-filled days, we can find new ways to engage with our autistic loved ones—whether it’s through movement, creativity, or simply sharing space together.
Some of the most meaningful ways we’ve found to connect as a family—especially when words aren’t enough—is through yoga and art. If you’ve ever felt unsure about how to connect with your autistic child, you’re not alone. Many parents experience this, but I’ve learned that connection doesn’t have to come from words—it can come from movement.
Family yoga has been an incredible way for us to bond with Ally. Yoga isn’t just about stretching or exercise—it’s about feeling grounded, present, and safe in your body. This is especially meaningful for autistic individuals, who often experience sensory overload, anxiety, or difficulty regulating emotions.
And best of all? Yoga is for everyone. You don’t have to be flexible or have prior experience. It’s about showing up, trying, and simply enjoying the process—together. One simple way to bring movement into your day is by trying a Tree Pose together—just like a tree growing in the spring, you can stand tall, balancing on one foot, and stretch toward the sky! Don’t worry about doing it perfectly. Just try your best and do it together. No matter how well you do at it, it will be worth it!
Art and movement go hand in hand, especially for autistic artists like Ally. Her “Bloom” artwork reminds me of expansion, joy, and growth—all things that yoga helps us embody.
Growth is beautiful and wonderful even when it takes time. That’s one of the most magical parts of watching spring arrive. The cold doesn’t disappear overnight and the trees aren’t filled with leaves in an instant. However, if you’re watching closely, you see it happen little by little.
You start to hear the birds singing again. There’s a bit more daylight every day. The garden slowly starts to come alive once more. Each day there’s a new sign of spring to notice as the world brightens up more and more.
It can sometimes feel almost impossible to form strong connections with someone who has autism, but, just like spring, know that these bonds don’t appear overnight. They take time. One day you’ll share a silly moment with one another. The next, you’ll smile at each other when you’re doing a yoga pose. Slowly but surely, the bonds get stronger and the world feels warmer and brighter.
Through yoga, art, and shared experiences, we can foster deep, meaningful bonds—ones that don’t rely on words, but on presence, love, and patience. This spring, let’s embrace the light, the warmth, and the new opportunities to connect with our autistic loved ones.
If you’d love to bring Ally’s vibrant spirit into your home, explore her artwork, journals, and prints in our shop. Every piece she creates is a celebration of autistic artists and the beauty of neurodiversity. We also encourage you to visit the yoga corner to learn ways that you can use yoga to connect and find comfort and joy in a safe space.
Let’s bloom together this spring.
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