It’s morning in the Coleman household. It was another rough night. After Kristal and Brett put their 4-year-old daughter Lyla to bed at 9 p.m., she woke up again shortly after midnight. She was only able to settle back to sleep at 5:30 a.m., waking up just an hour and a half later for school. But Lyla feels completely rested and happily eats her usual blueberry muffin for breakfast before heading out to school.
This is a typical experience for Kristal and Brett, who are raising their daughter Lyla, who has autism, and their two-year-old daughter Emmy.
In honor of Celebrate Diversity Month in April, Kristal shares her experience as a mom raising her spunky, sweet, strong-willed daughter Lyla.
Journey to a diagnosis
Their journey with Lyla’s autism diagnosis began early when Kristal noticed speech delays around 16 months. She wasn’t saying “mama” or “dada.” Kristal’s background in healthcare gave her the confidence to push for speech therapy. Occupational therapy soon followed, and after four months of therapy, a developmental pediatrician diagnosed Lyla with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Receptive/Expression Language Disorder at 26 months, just a few months after her second birthday.
Getting an autism diagnosis at age 2 is rare, but Kristal’s background and expertise in healthcare made a difference.
“I knew what to do and how to advocate for her,” Kristal shares.
Kristal’s healthcare experience goes back to 2013 as a certified nursing assistant. Through her career, she has served in the healthcare field as a med tech, staffing coordinator, social service director, executive director, business development specialist, director of payor and provider partnership, and now today as Office and Project Coordinator at Areté Living.
Her career history impressively encompasses Avamere and Areté Living (spun off from Avamere in 2022). This rich experience gave her the expertise she needed to notice signs in her daughter and seek services.
A day in Lyla’s world
A typical day for Kristal and her family is just another day for them, though the world may see it differently.
“My day in the life feels so typical,” Kristal shares. “Lyla goes to school, goes to the zoo, and everything everyone else does. It’s different in how people perceive our family. People expect a baby to cry in public – they expect a 4-year-old to follow directions.”
Transitions are challenging for Lyla, and being told “no” can cause dysregulation. Therapy appointments fill their weekly calendar – where Lyla learns skills to navigate a neurotypical environment.
Her play looks unique: she lines up Barbies in perfect order or carries them around in a bucket.
Kristal shares, “She watches the same episode of CoComelon – season 10, episode 2. It brings her so much joy. I know that episode by heart.”
While the day-to-day may look different from other families, this is the routine Kristal and her family embrace as theirs.
“We live moment by moment, cat nap by cat nap,” Kristal says.
Communication beyond words
Though Lyla is non-speaking, communication thrives. She guides Kristal by hand to show her wants and needs. An Augmentative and Alternative Communication (ACC) device, a tablet with voice buttons, helps Lyla express herself.
“Our voice is with us all the time. We keep hers with her,” Kristal explains. “We want her to communicate her needs to anyone, anywhere that will keep her happy, safe, and healthy.”
Lyla’s wardrobe is just as expressive — mismatched shoes, dress-up clothes, and all. “She wears what makes her happy,” Kristal expresses.
A personality that shines
People are more than their diagnosis, and that’s certainly true for Lyla! She is a vibrant soul with a passion for music and art. Their house is full of Lyla’s beautiful paintings.
She loves to put on musical performances, with her current favorite instrument being the xylophone. Lyla performs in front of the mirror so she can watch herself, dressed in a fireman’s hat and dad’s safety glasses.
“She’s a silly, sweet, loving girl — a light to anyone,” Kristal shares.
Lyla also loves to watch herself give hugs and kisses in the mirror. Her favorite way to connect is uniquely hers: forehead to forehead, locking eyes, and looking deep into her family’s eyes. “She loves love,” Kristal beams.
Finding strength in support
For any parent, especially those with high-needs children, support is crucial. Therapy, supportive schools, family, and friendships have been lifelines for Kristal and her family. State disability services provide resources and caregiver support.
“Having someone who gets it, who you can text and vent to — that’s everything,” Kristal shares.
A supportive and welcoming work environment
Kristal values the support from her place of work, Areté Living. Flexible work hours allow her to take Lyla to appointments and be present for therapy, school, and daily routines.
Kristal emphasizes the importance of inclusivity in the workplace.
“As a mother of a child with a disability, disability inclusion in the workplace is not just a concept, it’s a future I fight for every day. I see the barriers, the places we are not welcome, the whispers, the assumptions, and the policies that forget my child exists. And I know that one day, my child will step into a world where employment is not just about skill and ambition, but about whether that world is willing to see their worth.
Nearly half of individuals with invisible disabilities do not disclose them at work for fear of judgment, exclusion, or inequity. That fear should not exist. True inclusion isn’t about forcing people to fit into rigid standards, it’s about reimagining those standards so that everyone belongs.
As a caregiver to a disabled child, balancing work and family can be overwhelming, but I have been fortunate to work at Areté Living, where they truly understand the importance of viewing me as more than just an employee. They also see me as a mother, wife, and caregiver. Through this culture of empathy, they have honored my needs in a way that allows me to thrive both professionally and personally. This kind of support isn’t just beneficial, it's essential in creating a workplace where caregivers and their families feel valued, included, and seen.
Unfortunately, not everyone is as blessed as I am. But until they are, I push, I advocate, I create space where none exists, not because it’s easy, but because my child, and millions like them, deserve a world that sees them as whole.
The world was not built for my child, so I will build one for them. And that starts in the workplace.”
A more inclusive future
Kristal envisions a world where autism is better understood — where people recognize strengths over stereotypes. “Anyone can become disabled at any time. Differences aren’t less. They’re just different, and that comes with unique strengths and perspectives.”
Kristal challenges traditional communication norms. “Why does the stereotypical way we communicate have to be with our mouths? Lyla’s voice, whether through her AAC or her expressions, is just as valid.”
For Kristal, advocacy is an honor, even when it means experiencing discomfort to educate others.
“These children grow up to be adults with disabilities,” she expresses. “It’s part of who they are. It’s my honor to be her mom, provide her the accommodations she needs, and advocate for her.”
As we celebrate diversity this month, Kristal and Lyla remind us that inclusion starts with understanding — and that differences, when embraced, create a more compassionate and welcoming world.
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