Ever wondered what pure, unfiltered humanity looks like? My son Lucas shows me every day. Through the lens of raising a nonverbal child with autism, I've discovered something remarkable about human connection that I never expected to find.

Most people see limitations when they look at someone like Lucas. Politicians make sweeping statements about what autism is, focusing on what's missing rather than what's present. But they're missing the extraordinary gifts hiding in plain sight. Lucas communicates his desires more clearly without words than many people do with thousands of them. There's no social game-playing, no hidden agendas—just pure, authentic expression.

What makes Lucas truly exceptional isn't just how he communicates, but who he is at his core. When he discovers joy in something—even a YouTube video he's watched hundreds of times—his excitement eclipses nearly anything I experience. And what does he do with that joy? He shares it with everyone around him, tapping strangers on the shoulder to include them in his happiness. He feels emotions deeply, loves unconditionally, and lives without the burden of caring what others think about him. He'll never bully anyone. He'll never be intentionally cruel. In many ways, he embodies exactly what I'd hope for in any child.

The journey from hearing "autism" for the first time to where we are today has transformed me completely. The "worst-case scenarios" I feared have come true, yet here we are, living our best life together. That's why I wrote "Hi World, I'm Dad"—to show others that the autism journey holds unexpected treasures for those willing to see beyond society's narrow understanding. Pre-order my book now on Amazon, follow me on social media @HiJamesGutman, and join me every Friday for new podcast episodes where we continue exploring this extraordinary journey together.

Preorder James Guttman’s new book – “Hi World, I’m Dad: How Fathers Can Journey to Autism Awareness, Acceptance, and Appreciation”

Follow Us On Facebook and Follow James Guttman on Instagram.

Also, be sure to read the blog that started it all - Hi Blog! I'm Dad.