Stories of Hope

volunteer

I'm 21 and I volunteer every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at the high school I graduated from in the Autism room. It started out my senior year. I took a class thats called Peer Connectors, regular kids help in the special ed. rooms. I didn't really know what Autism was, besides it something to do with the brain. I didn't know the different serverites and complexity of it, and I was scared and uncomfortable around them at first, but I got used to them and couldn't be more blessed to be welcomed into their amazing world and help raise awareness. They're the sweetest kids I ever met and they always put a smile on my face or make me laugh. They have their good and bad days but I love them just the same. They taught me that its ok to be different and just be yourself, don't care what other people think of you. They helped me shape into a better person and come out of my shyness shell. They love my kangaroo costume I wear for their Halloween party :) The teachers really appriciate my help to and are so nice to me, giving me birthday and Christmas presents, joking around. I always have a good time with them :) Everyone is so proud of my volunteer work and think its great I'm involved in the Autism communitee. I couldn't be more proud to be with such amazing kids and teachers. I'm hoping to be a para in the classroom one day in the future :) gotta get my driver's permit first.

Kelsi
Bloomington, MN

Elevate Awareness 2011

Last year my friend and i rode our longboards down the coast of california for Autism awareness. We were 15 at the time, and rode 450+ miles from Stanford to UCLA. We were on about 4 television broadcasts and 4 magazines and successfully spread a whole bunch of awareness for Autism and the foundation we rode for, Easter Seals. It was tough but ultimately the greatest experience of our young lives and we can't wait to do a bigger trip this summer and keep making a difference in our community.
Check out our page on facebook (/elevateawarness)!

Thanks and keep sharing the love!
-Blake Stassi and Daniel Houze

Blake Stassi
Elk Grove, CA

3 of my favorite young men

There are three young men I love with Autism, children of two friends. Each of them have been at some point diagnosed with Autism, and each of them have a dear place in my heart, and many fun and wonderful memories.

They are all smart and express themselves in different ways. One of them, he remembers tons of facts and dialogue from tv shows and movies. I love how he will talk to others, including myself, as if our memories work the same as his, "Remember that time in Harry Potter when ....." His perfect recall is amazing, and I love that I learn a lot from him when around him.

My two other young men, I met later. Though they are brothers, they have very different personalities. The youngest one took to me more quickly, his focus was often lacking, unless he was getting into mischief. I'll never forget coming downstairs one time, to find him skating across the kitchen floor in his socks, having sprayed Pam on the floor, and discovering he could slide in his socks. The other, one of his older brothers, initially would not look at, or talk to me, but eventually he was a chatterbox who will make some direct eye contact, and even surprised me by cuddling up to me one night while I was babysitting, showing me the booklet his teacher had helped him create. Both have come leaps and bounds thanks to the dedication of their family and teachers.

All three of these young men have thrived with their parents love and support, and the understanding of members of their school of the assistance the boys may need. I love each of them for their uniqueness and intelligence. I am grateful to have them and their families in my life.

Rebecca Pfaff
Greensboro, NC

A Wonderful Life

I have the privilege to be married to aged seventy-five years man who was diagnosed in late middle age with classic Aspergers Syndrome.
He walked the tight-rope of naivete until, at twenty-two he married his lovely first wife, who recognised him for the wonderful person he is, and she loved him totally and guided him when he needed it, for thirty-five years.
When she died I was so lucky to marry him, he is a constant joy and the delight of my life. Funny, challenging, unexpected, wise, fiercely loyal and willing to go through anything to make me happy.
He is valued and loved by his true friends, and we all enjoy his company and protect and guide him, and in his deep wisdom, he often protects and guides us.
People on the autistic spectrum are a pure gift to the world.

Anonymous
Gloucester, United Kingdom

What I've Learned From My Autistic Son

I first suspected Autism around the time my son turned 2 years old. He seemed behind in his verbal communication, having very few words in his vocabulary. He then regressed and didn't talk at all, but rather made grunting sounds and "uh, ah" noises. He had other "quirks" in his behaviors that lead me to believe he may have autism. Although it seemed no one else felt this to be the problem, we had him tested and he was diagnosed just before he turned 3 with mild autism. We enrolled him in an integrated preschool through the local school district where he met with a speech therapist once a week. Within months, we saw vast improvement in his speech and one year later, though his speech is robotic and monotone, his vocabulary is the same as a "normal" 4 year old.. Darin has taught me so much about God through this experience. In those early months I would think, "it would be so much easier if you'd just talk to me!" Then it struck me that is exactly what God wants from us -- for us to talk to Him. A song I knew from my childhood I would sing to Darin. "There really ought to be a sign upon my heart 'Don't judge me if there's an unfinished part' because I'll be perfect just according to His plan, fashioned by the Master's loving hand." What a fitting song for my perfect little man! At 4 years old, Darin has an infectious smile that lights up his eyes, a fantastic brain for memorizing, and is a joy to those who spend time with him.

Megan Lafferty
Akron, OH

LeeAnn's journey

The moment LeeAnn was placed in my arms, I knew something was wrong. I did not know it at the time, but she had intense sensory issues. She rarely cried when she was left alone. She could intertain herself for hours by watching a Barney video. She, as I often said, "didn't need anyone unless she was hungry or needed a diaper change." She could read, count to 100 and knew all her colors and shapes by 18 months, but she couldn't communicate or function outside of familar enviorments. She passed all her Pediatric well checks despite the fact that I always mentioned she didn't seem to notice when I left, didn't respond to her own name when called, didn't play with other children or make eye contact and didn't communicate with words. At age 2, she was diagnosed Autistic and began gluten free/casein free diets, chealation therapy and ABA. I am thankful for all the experts out ther who try to help families cope with this diagnosis and would like to extend my prayers to all who have a loved one with Autism. God bless you your child.

Tammy Short
Shelbyville, IN

Quinn's Story

Quinn was brought into this world in the Spring of 2007. He was a happy, health baby boy who met all his milestones early on, therefore never providing a clue that something may be wrong. In the Spring of 2011, Quinn was released from his first daycare due to aggressive behavior. The school advised that Quinn lacked empathy when acting aggressively with his fellow classmates. After his release from a second and third daycare due to the same aggressive behavior, I sought help from our local Children's Specialized Hospital who suggested an autism team evaluation due to several red flags.

In November of 2011, my son was diagnosed with Aspergers/ASD. His aggressive behavior stemmed from sensory issues involving sound, light, touch and texture and he was recommended to undergo treatment through the Occupational Therapy program through the facility. After only one month of treatment through the program, I have seen such a world of difference in my son.

Quinn also loves NHL Hockey. He currently plays ice hockey for the Brick Stars, a special needs hockey program for children with developmental disabilities ranging from autism to downs syndrome. Words cannot express how wonderful this program is and how it is helping develop his fine motor skills as well as his social skills by interacting with his team.

Quinn has changed me, but for the greater good. He has taught me patience that I never thought I had, taught me how to laugh through my tears, find humor in all things in life and mostly to be a warrior and fight for the things I believe in, which is him. Everyday I thankful for this child who came into my life, and while not a perfect child, he is my child and I love him more than anything in this world.

Megan
Brick, NJ

My beautiful Sierra

My daughter is one of a set of twins, I had a rough pregnancy but at 33 weeks 4 days my girls were born, a little on the small side. Her sister Alison only needed a nasal cannula for oxygen, Sierra needed much more she went through endless surgeries and needed more assistance with breathing and feeding tubes, etc. Once they came home in 2001 I was thrilled, they were adorable lovely babies, doing everything right. Once they turned 2 I noticed that Sierra wasnt doing the same things Alison was, she wasnt meeting those milestones that her twin sister was. I focused my attention on Early Intervention and it was a godsend, she's been getting regular education and now she is in a special needs classroom focusing on her skills, she has always been a brilliant girl, at the age of 3 she knew all her shapes, colors and could could to ten in both English and Spanish. I am so thankful every day that I get to learn so much from my beautiful daughter.

Suzanne Turner
Fairview, OR

My special boy

During my pregnancy I was diagnosed with postpartum depression and was taking Prozac. I didnt have a local doctor who would accept my insurance so I didnt regulary see anyone during my pregnancy. My baby didnt move around alot, but I was growing so I wasnt concerned. Within minutes of my planned c-section it was obvious that something was a little off. My son was healthy as he could be, a good weight, but didnt move much and didnt cry. He just stared... within a few months of his birth it became apparent that something was wrong with him. He never cried, never moved, never smiled or rolled over and missed every milestone. Before age 1 he was diagnosed with early infantile autism. We immediately began all therapies, easter seals, and at age 3 he went straight into public school although he did not yet walk or talk. At age 4 he began speaking and walking. My son is now 9 years old and after 6 years of school has finally made it into the second grade. He requires a personal aide and still wets his pants, but is a complete joy in my life. He is much smaller than kids his own age so its almost a blessing that his mind functions younger too... Most people assume he is 4 or 5 years old and dont pay much mind to his tantrums. He is mathmatical whiz and can build just about anything. In one night he solved the rubiks cube after never having seen one before! I continue to be amazed and am so thankful to have him in my life.

Anonymous
lawrenceville, IL

Elizabeth's Story

Elizabeth was born in 2008. I had a very normal pregnancy and delivery. She was the most perfect baby girl. She never really had any problems, but I was noticing that she was not hitting her milestones like she should have, like crawling, rolling over etc. She wasn't talking either. After she turned two we decided to take her and get her evaluated, We found out that she had Autism. We acted very quick with the Early intervention, and started her therapy. after she turned 3 she began Special Ed Pre K, all this has majorly helped her, she isn't talking the greatest, but she is talking and answering questions and she is so incredibly smart. She knows her ABC's and knows how to count to 10, and knows all her colors. I am so thankful to have her in my life and to be her mother, she brings so much joy and happiness to anyone that she is around and everyone absolutely adores her. I used to be scared about her having Autism, but now I am not cause I know she will only get better, and I can't wait to see what her future holds!

Shawna Kanillopoolos
Clarksville, TN