TEXARKANA MAGAZINE
Kylee’s first teacher at school, since Jasmine and Lee were her first teachers at home,” Jenkins says. “From the very beginning, Kylee showed me there are many different ways to learn, communicate, and shine. Her journey is a powerful reminder of why embracing neurodiversity matters so much. She has grown in ways that are inspiring, not because she became someone different, but because she was supported and loved as the person she is.” For several years, Jasmine’s greatest fear centered on communication. “When you have a nonverbal child, one of the biggest fears is that if something bad happens, they won’t be able to tell you,” Jasmine explains. “That thought is terrifying as a parent.” But progress came, albeit slowly at first. Kylee began gaining language around age four, and by six years old she was forming sentences. Then came a moment Jasmine says she will never forget. Although Kylee often appeared distracted during learning activities, Jasmine continued working with flashcards and word apps daily. One afternoon while Jasmine was decorating a cake in the kitchen, one of her favorite hobbies, she began cutting fondant letters. As she picked up each letter, Kylee attempted to mimic its sound. “I was completely shocked,” Jasmine remembers. “Here I was working with her every day, believing she might not be retaining much of what I was teaching, and suddenly she was showing me she knew her alphabet. Someone who didn’t know Kylee might not have understood what she was trying to say, but with each letter she tried her hardest to verbalize the sound.” Soon, Jasmine realized something even more remarkable. Not only did Kylee know her alphabet, but she could also read the words she had been practicing through an educational app called Endless Reader. “She had been absorbing everything all along,” Jasmine said. Moments like that reshaped the way Jasmine viewed learning and communication. “Never assume a child isn’t capable simply because they communicate differently,” she stressed. “Sometimes their brilliance is just waiting for the right opportunity to be understood.” When Kylee was younger, frustration often came in the form of meltdowns. Overwhelming sensory input or an inability to communicate could lead to head banging, screaming, or collapsing on the floor. The solution was something simple and comforting. “We would hold her in a tight squeeze, rock her gently, and sing ‘Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star,’” she said. “The routine helped her feel safe and regulated again.” As Kylee’s language grew, many of those meltdowns faded. Today, if she becomes overwhelmed, she simply steps away from the situation to avoid frustration. Her enthusiasm, however, remains unmistakable. “If something captures her interest,” Jasmine jokes, “you can expect to hear about it at least 25 times in a single day. That enthusiasm is just one of the many ways she shows the world exactly how big her heart really is!” One of the most common misconceptions about autism is that individuals on the spectrum lack empathy. Jasmine says nothing could be further from the truth for Kylee. “If someone gets even a minor scratch, Kylee becomes deeply concerned,” she says. “She will cry herself and do everything she can to help.” Still, social challenges remain. As Kylee has grown older and become more aware of her differences, and as other children have pointed them out, specifically her speech delay, she sometimes withdraws socially. At school, she often does not speak unless
necessary. There have been heartbreaking moments when she has asked her mother questions no parent wants to hear. “Is there something wrong with my voice?” or “Is there something wrong with the way I talk?” Another time, she came home from school and said, “I don’t trust people anymore. People can’t be trusted.” “Those moments,” Jasmine said, “remind me just how important kindness, understanding, and inclusion truly are. My greatest hope is that the world Kylee grows up in becomes a place where children like her are not asked to shrink themselves to make others comfortable, but are celebrated for exactly who they are. Words carry weight. Children can be painfully cruel without realizing the impact.” Over the past 13 years, Jasmine says Kylee has changed her in ways she never expected. “She has taught me to see the value in people’s uniqueness,” she says. “The things that make us different are not something to overlook. They are something to celebrate.” She has also taught Jasmine patience. “Patience is essential when raising a child on the spectrum, and it is something I had to learn intentionally,” she admits. Perhaps the most surprising part of Kylee’s story is just how far she has come. Today, she is preparing to take algebra in the eighth grade and is enrolled in honors math. “If someone told me years ago that Kylee would reach this point, I probably would have thought they were being hopeful but unrealistic,” she said. Wanting to educate others and help families feel less alone, Jasmine created a Facebook page called Keeping Up with Kylee. Over time, it has become a place where she can share their story and point other families towards the resources they may need. Another page, Kylee’s Konversations, highlights the humorous and honest things Kylee says. “I quickly realized how little information many people still have about autism,” Jasmine said. “Parents were messaging me about where to start.” Each year, the family also designs and sells autism awareness T-shirts, and their purchase supports special education classrooms. It is a way for the Wilsons to give back for all the ways those classrooms have helped Kylee. Proceeds have also gone to support autism-related needs in the community, from providing communication devices like iPads to purchasing weighted blankets for sensory support. Looking back, Jasmine knows that the early days of diagnosis can feel overwhelming and uncertain. And for parents beginning that journey, she offers encouragement. “I know how heavy your heart feels right now. I know the weight that sits on your shoulders in those early days of uncertainty. Every child’s journey is different, and no two outcomes will look exactly the same, but I want you to have something to hold on to. Early intervention can make an incredible difference, and it played a huge role in Kylee’s progress. Advocate for your child. Do not be afraid to push for support, ask questions, and seek every opportunity that may help them grow. Surround your child with people who believe in them. Most importantly, never let someone else’s limitations become the limit you place on your child.” Today, Kylee continues to write her story, one milestone and challenge at a time. And in doing so, she is teaching everyone around her something powerful. Sometimes the most extraordinary voices are simply waiting for the world to learn how to listen.
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LIFE & STYLE
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