Living with autism spectrum disorder can come with a lot of challenges, so it’s important to celebrate the wins when you get them. If you or your child has autism, hearing about others with autism triumphing over obstacles can be inspiring.

On MyAutismTeam, members often share stories about wins and milestones in their lives. Whether you need a little boost or just want to celebrate, here are a few big and small wins members have shared.

1. Summer Camp Success

One MyAutismTeam member, a parent of a child with autism, shared: “My son went to summer camp last week. He stayed there five nights and reportedly had a great time! They told us everything went well. There was a time when we never would have imagined that he could stay at a camp without Mom and Dad for that long. My wife and I took a little vacation while he was gone for some much needed R&R. Win-win.”

2. BMX Triumph

Another autism parent offered this story about their son’s success in his favorite sport: “My boy has taken up BMX (bicycle moto-cross) racing and has become unbelievably successful at it in less than two years. He’s even sponsored by a bicycle shop and an apparel company. He is now being ‘scoped out’ by a huge bicycle company’s factory team. Unreal. … This has really opened him up socially, as he was the hide-under-the-table-type.”

3. Amazing Job Interview

An adult member who lives with autism was excited about a new job opportunity and an interview that went well: “I had a job interview this morning! It’s for a position with a local agency who serves people with developmental disabilities. I think I rocked it. I wasn’t even looking for a new job, as I’m very happy where I’m currently working, but this was something that just happened to pop up. I felt it was too good of an opportunity to pass up. Sometimes, good things come up when you least expect them!”

4. The Right School

Getting into the right school made a huge difference for one member’s son and helped him learn new skills. They wrote, “My son has been accepted into a private Montessori school! He still has trouble reading social cues, but when the other students tell him to walk away, he listens! He can now put on his coat without help. He’s 4, and is already learning human anatomy and U.S. geography. He comes home using the polite words he hears at school.”

5. New Relationships

Another parent on MyAutismTeam shared about her son forming new relationships with girls, which she hadn’t expected. She explained, “Last weekend, my autistic son and his friend asked if they could come to the mall while I was working there. They wanted to get a new video game. I said sure, but they had to check in with me a few times. About five minutes after they arrived, I saw them walking with two girls. I almost had a heart attack!”

6. Appreciation From Coworkers

A parent shared their adult son’s progress with finding work. “My son got a job! He has a job coach through Abilities United. The other day, I went into the store where he’s working now. He wasn’t there, but one of the cashiers told me, with tears in her eyes, and her hand over her heart, what a wonderful kid I have. I left in tears of joy. There is hope … at least for today.”

7. Trying New Foods

Another parent shared their son’s win after he tried a new food — previously a struggle. “He finds one food, and that’s pretty much all he’ll eat for months,” they said. “Lately, he’s tried a few new things. Hasn’t liked much, but at least he takes nibbles. He ate a small pancake last night. And even put a little syrup on it. He never adds dips or anything, so it was kinda amazing!”

8. Asking for Help Gets Easier

A young adult with autism asked a friend for support and felt great about it. “I had a great run this morning with my friend,” they said. “Next Monday we run again, and I asked if she could help me practice going inside Petco. She said yes! So I’m excited to have her help me practice going inside there. She said she’s happy to help.”

9. Martial Arts Master

A parent of a child diagnosed with autism shared that they found a sport their child loves. “My son is 11 years old and loves doing karate,” they wrote. “He started by attending the class for only 15 minutes and then gradually stayed until it finished (one hour). Karate has helped him with motor skills, getting rid of his energy, and his behaviors. He listens and respects the teacher. He has been doing extremely well at school and home since joining.”

10. Broadening Horizons

Another parent shared how forming new relationships helped their young adult son with autism expand his ideas about what was possible for his life. “My son is 23, and I’m working on getting him out into the community,” they wrote. “A guy from Easter Seals comes out to spend time with him and takes him out. He’s doing a great job with my son, who seems to be having a good time. This is very important. He talks about getting a girlfriend and getting married. I just tell him to take it one step at a time, and those things can happen.”

11. Making and Keeping Friends

One parent reported on their college-aged son, who made friends through a club at school and kept up a friendship from high school, too. “My son is in college now and has been making friends there,” the member related. “They have an anime gaming society, which has been great for him for making friends with similar interests. His friend from high school calls him to chat on occasion, too.”

12. Team Player

A parent of a middle schooler felt tentative about letting him play football, but they were pleasantly surprised with the results. “Against most odds, my son is in sixth grade and asked to play football in a league,” the member described. “Not only did he love playing — he did very well. He was a starting player, and he socialized well with the other boys. One of the coaches told me he enjoyed my son playing so much and was amazed at how well he played since he had never played before. It also earned my son respect and friends in middle school, which is a tough place for kids with autism.”

Join the Conversation

On MyAutismTeam, people share their experiences with autism, get advice, and find support from others who understand.

Do you have any wins to share? Let others know in the comments below.