We have a lot to learn from people like you whose first child is autistic. Obviously we have no clue what Us Version 3.0 is going to be like, so part of me has made some peace with the reality that we’ll just have to play it by ear and see. But I tend to be a serial worrier and want to plan all of my anxiety out ahead of time.

Of course, we live so much in the moment around here that it’s hard to figure out what life is going to be like tomorrow let alone in 27-ish weeks from now or the rest of eternity after that. I’ve steadily come to grips with the likely truth that there’s not much point in dwelling on the future.

I can feel my brain freeze up sitting here thinking about it. I think I’ll just go to bed now!

Hi, I just started reading you guys and am really enjoying your smarts and enthusiasm. I have a five-year-old girl on the spectrum and a seemingly normal (for our family) two-year-old.

We’re finding that with two, we have to brutally alternate our attentions because inevitable, both of them go into a mommy- or daddy-phase at once, and then it’s just tough luck if you have to be read to by the chopped liver parent.