Just like normal. Be yourself. OK, OK.
Oh, I need to get it on video.
OK And go hello, welcome back to Jeff. We
are not behind the scenes of
some new home cooking show.
OK? We're getting really
close on the spaghetti.
The Richardson's are more like
a reality show, the relatable
kind with levity and honesty.
There's those moments where you're like.
Could something just swallow me whole and
let me out of this situation?
Jack Richardson was about 18 mos
old when he stopped eating whats
parents offered him.
It was one clue, but far
from the first clue that Jack
was not like his twin brother.
And I knew at 2 weeks old theres
just something different about .
I would hold Sam in my arms,
and Sam would gaze at me and snuggle up.
And then I'd hold Jack,
and he'd look away and arch his back,
and there was just something different.
Jack has autism.
Here he is in his high chair,
a therapist celebrating each
time he touched new food.
You touched the pancake.
It was impossible to
convince him to taste it.
It's common for kids on the
autism spectrum to be more
than just picky eaters.
For years, Jack ate seven things
waffles, glutenfree waffles,
sausage for breakfast, lunch,
French fries, glutenfree chicken
Nuggets and sweet potato fries.
And then dinner for years was e,
bacon and sausage.
And he liked scrambled eggs in the microwave,
which are disgusting,
but he loved them.
Going to put a little butter
and a little salt.
Sorry, Kirby doesn't really like mushy,
so I'm hoping he'll like it.
Suddenly last summer he was
at the grocery store with me.
We're in the produce section
and he said I think I should
try new foods and I'm like
Jack, shocked everyone.
Don't worry about them, pretend
they're not even here and go. H.
Welcome back to Jack's Snacks.
Jack's Snacks is a weekly taste test. What
is this? What does it look like?
It looks like broccoli,
but a different color.
He tries something.
He's never eaten. You like it?
Is a good the first. Here it go.
Here it goes. Was watermelon.
What do you think? He
rates it a four. Did you like i?
Records it and bravely shares i.
Good afternoon, everybody,
and thanks for joining us today.
He wants the world to see well
because it will help other peope
with autism try new foods.
What made you decide you
wanted to try watermelon?
Because my grandpa Mike loves i.
And then you started trying all other
sorts of stuff. Yeah. Wow.
Jack knows autism gives him different
abilities, not limited abilitieI
think it takes a lot of courage
to try these new foods. Oh yes.
20 years ago, Amy and Blue
Richardson, we're not sure how
communicative their son would be
from playoffs Disney.
Now he's cracking jokes on came.
I'm funny that way.
You are funny, Jack.
You've got a great sense of hum.
I can't tell you how many times
we have people say, well,
they'll see us in the grocery s,
we'll we'll come across them.
We don't see them that
often and they're like, oh,
our family gathers together on Saturday,
Sunday nights to to wait
for Jack Snacks to post.
And I just go,
who are these people? But
the Richardson's wish they could
draw a map that other families n
an autism journey could follow.
But each path is different.
They credit therapy,
a support network, prayer,
and most of all, patience.
I remember the first time that e
spontaneously said he loved me.
I tackled him. I wouldn't let go
because it was always repetitiv.
But he finally said it on his o,
so there's always something to
celebrate, no matter how small.
Like a reality show, life with autism is
unpredictable, but the joy inside Jack.
Is inexplicable.
He's he's just been amazing.
He's been a joy to to parent
and we he's a guest, you know.
Yeah he's a gift in Arlington.
Peace out peace here and check
out our YouTube channel for all
the Sierra Jack snacks. Bye bye.
I'm Teresa Woodard.