Inside Our Mornings:

Sheamus’s Routine at Sunrise

In our home, mornings start early real early. While most folks are still turning over in bed, Sheamus is already up by 5 a.m., wide-eyed and ready to begin his day.

The routine is always the same and that consistency matters deeply. Like many autistic teens, Sheamus finds comfort in repetition and rhythm. As soon as he’s out of bed, he heads straight to the bathroom to brush his teeth. You’ll hear the soft sounds of him spinning and gently rocking back and forth as he does it a self-regulating motion that helps him stay grounded and focused. It’s a part of who he is, and in this home, we honor that.

After he finishes, I make him a warm cup of decaf coffee. No caffeine his medication is already strong, and we’ve learned over time that too much stimulation in the morning can throw off his whole day. The ritual of holding that warm mug, though, is something he enjoys. It makes him feel grown up. It’s our father son bonding moment, even if only for a few quiet minutes.

Once he’s settled with his coffee, Sheamus turns to one of his passions: YouTube videos about dentists. Not games. Not cartoons. Dentists. He watches with pure fascination the tools, the techniques, the care and precision. It’s his world, and I love that he finds joy and interest in something so unique. It’s another reminder that autistic minds see beauty and detail in places many might overlook.

Breakfast? That’s hit or miss. Some mornings, he’ll ask for eggs or fruit. Other times, he skips it entirely and waits until lunch. We’ve come to understand this is part of the medication’s side effects appetite suppression being one of them. As a parent, you always want your child to eat, but I’ve learned not to push too hard. I trust his body knows what it needs.

This is our morning. Simple, structured, and filled with little moments of connection.

And that’s the heart of autism parenting finding the rhythm that works for your child, honoring their needs, and holding space for the beautiful, sometimes challenging, and always meaningful routines that shape their day.