Stories of Hope

Christopher

Our youngest son Christopher has Asperger's. He is now 31.
It has been a long and challenging road for him and our family.
I knew at 8 months he was "autistic" but, could not get our pediatrician to help. Eventually , we found help at Syracuse University.
After a very tough year I was physically and menatally worn out Chris topher was 18 months and was not walking and I longed for a sign that he was going to be ok . It was Christmas and I was so very depressed that I did not want to observe the holiday. But, his brother and sister needed to have Christmas.
My neighbor was Jewish and invited our family over fot the first night of Channukah. I did not want to go but,she convinced me to come as Channukah is a time for miracles. So the family went and enjoyed all of the tradition associated with this holiday. My friend had cross-stitched an ornament for our tree. We came home and I put Christopher by a chair so he could stand and watch me put the ornament on the Christmas tree. I turned around to see if he was watching,he started to smile and walk
toward the tree. The whole family saw him walk to the tree and touch the ornament. We all grabbed each other and cried. I called my friend and told her what had just happened. She simply replied " This is your sign that he will be ok, and miracles do happen."
Today Christopher is in college living in a dorm,he drives and has worked at job . He continues to be our miracle. He is truly "ok".

Karen
Beaufort, SC

Alanis' Daily Routine

My daughter who has Autism (ASD), is an inspiration to me, because she has taught me to be the parent that I am today. Alanis has taught me to be a better parent and to get to know her in so many ways. I have learned so much about what an Autism Spectrum Disorder is through my daughter's daily routine and challenges with Autism. She's my life and my inspiration, my hope and a hero. My family is very proud of Alanis, because she has come a very long way. There are many families and children faced with challenges and diversities, who can relate to my daughter with Autism.

Trauma F Newell
Newark, NJ

kaden and autism

kaden is now 5, highly functioning autistic, w/e that means. ashley, mom, knew sumthin was not right, he was diagnosed and thank God ashley was a strong advocate 4 kaden. there is noooo help in SWMN for autism that we have found. didnt believ kaden was autistic myself, til he started lining up lil cars, all in a row by my hallway door. i needed 2 open t door, so i scooted a few of them aside so i didnt trip, he went balistic, grandma u cnt mov my cars, they have to be just like that. open/close/snap a bag of mine over & over & over again, not sure when he stopped. he can draw helicopters, and they r good. obsessed with helicopters, birds, transformers right now. when he draws if u bump him goes balistic. when he draws everything is in a row. now he gets so frustrated, if he doesnt get his way, which we hav no idea what his way is, he turns around, puts hands over face, & starts crying. bout breaks my heart. ANY HELP OUT THERE FOR ME? WOULD SURE APPREC. IT! SO WLD KADEN & ASHLEY. HAVE 2 B A SPECIAL PERSON 2 WORK W AUTISTIC CHILDREN, VERY PATIENT. HE HAS ONE 8 YR OLD BRO, AND A LIL SISTA, 1 1/2. HARD ON THEM, BIG BRO HAS ADHD.,SOME SPECIAL LADIES R COMIN UP FROM SIOUX FALLS, SD TO HELP KADEN, WE R OPEN TO IDEAS FROM ANYONE WHO UNDERSTANDS WHAT WE DON'T!!!!! TY SOOOOO MUCH.....

janine isenberg
marshall, MN

Daniel, my boy!

Daniel was diagnosed on the spectrum at 5 yrs old. We were shocked and in denial for a long time. Daniel didnt socialize like other kids, was different, loving, kind and has a severe learning disability. In middle school he was severely bullied, one bully was actually taken out of the school in handcuffs! I fought to get him an out placement at a renowned school for Learning Disabled children and WON! The happiest, most rewarding day of my life was when they told me Daniel would be accepted. The strongest feeling of emotion I had ever had!. He is now going to be 17 yrs old, loves his school, his friends and is one of many, just like himself. He enjoys his life and I always have told him, I love him just the way he is! He doesnt see "disability", he sees people for who they are. He loves his life and his family and is realizing he is different.His brother Kevin is amazing with him, he is simply the best kid ever too! I'm sure it isnt easy having a special needs brother at times! We are truly blessed to have Daniel. It took us years to get out of "denial aisle" but we did and know god has a plan for Daniel and we are here to guide that plan. He struggles sometimes but has learned at his school how to get through the tough times. We have an amazing family and Daniel is our gift from god. So many times I wondered how on earth can I do this..but I do..we do together, one day at a time.

Kristin
Lynn, MA

Hayden's story

I always knew there was something different about Hayden. I was not a first time mom so I knew that things were just not right. She did not sleep, she would not keep clothes on, she acted different then other kids. I didn't know what to do or where to go. Then when she was 4 we had her tested. They told us it was ADHD and ODD. Well, they were wrong. I felt they were wrong. So I took her to get a second opinion. I am so glad I did. We took her to the University of Virginia to the Kluge Center. They are wonderful there. She does have ADHD but they also told me that she has Asperger's. I knew it! We had been treating her for that anyways so not a lot change just because of the diagnosis. She is doing wonderful. She is mainstreamed into a regular classroom with her aide. She is so smart. She makes me laugh. I always say she thinks outside the box where the rest of us think inside it. I can look through her eyes to see a totally different side of everything. I love my life with Hayden. It has been the hardest thing I have ever done but the most enjoyable. I could not image not having her just the way she is. Are there days I get frustrated? Yes, Most days but then she walks up to me and tells me she loves me and that I am the best mommy ever and that makes it all worth it. I have learn that I have to be more patient and understanding to her and the world. When I see another mother having problems with her kids, I don't judge her. Hayden is Amazing !

Christine
ringgold, VA

How Far We Have Come

My granddaughter was labeled a behavior problem, shuttled from schools, hid under desks, ran from teachers, until she was finally diagnosed as Aspergers three years ago at age 7. Fighting the school systems is an ongoing job, but now with help from her school to place her in the right classes. She is now in her fifth year of music and drama classes on the weekend. This has helped tremendously with her grades at school, plus she is accepted in those classes by her peers. She has done small shows, but this weekend was part of a large performance on the "big" stage to a paying audience. I was so proud. I have taught her that social situations are not bad or scary anymore and while she may not look at you when she speaks, she will talk to you and tell stories on and on. She travels with me and has flown to Europe and will laugh when she talks about eating her aunties chocolate mousse. She loves art, loved the Louvre and the train rides. She is gentle and wears her feelings on her sleeve. She does not understand why other kids are mean to her, but she knows it hurts. She does lash out but does not understand that when they laugh they are laughing at her not with her. There is still more to learn and more growing to do, but at times I think she has it better that she does not know how to be mean and hope that she will stay that way. There are already to many mean people in the world.

Anonymous
Clearwater, FL

Dusty is my Angel and reminder of Love

When growing up I never really knew Dusty , and I was kinda scared of him to be honest. He is bigger then me , and I could tell that something was wrong. It wasn't until the death of a dear cousin , and a talk with his mother about a tattoo of a puzzle piece on her wrist that I knew that Dusty has Autism. The dinner after the funeral was when we became best friends . Gregg, my cousin was a gospel singer , a loving father , and friend to Dusty, who by the way he loves to sing. So to make Dusty feel better about losing Gregg we sang songs in his name. I talked to him on the phone after that everyday. Then the passing of his mother came. He would sing to me on the phone saying he was singing to her , not me, which I was fine with. I would drive an hour every Sunday to spend the night with Dusty , and we will stay up talking, dancing , and singing, but when I left the room I could hear him talking to his Mother . He helped me find God when I thought I lost my faith. Dusty is twenty two years old, and has the mind set of a six year old, sometimes I forget he is older then me . In a way he reminds me of Peter Pan. I like to think it is his choice never to grow up. I am scared every day that something will happen to him. He still has so much living he needs to do , so he can show the world what a really beautiful soul looks like. Ladies and Gentleman you should hear him sing .

Brittany
Tuscaloosa, AL

Feathers?

When our daughter was diagnosed at 18 months, you could have heard a pin drop. She had been having services since 12 months, when one of her therapists told us, "you know this maybe all that she speaks." It was a blow, but we said ok, we will take it as it comes. We didn't know how much she understood or what she took in, but we knew she listened. When she was 5, Her grandmother gave her a stuffed duck for Christmas the year before and she took it everywhere. That summer I took her to the local ecology site to where the animals are. When she came upon the duck pond. She looked at them and at me and tried to climb in. I told her no and she understood. She looked at me and said, "Feathers?" I told her yes they have feathers. "Real Feathers?" and I said yes they are real feathers. She sat there and just watched as they flapped their wings and walked and played in the water. It was then I realized, moreso than before, that when she spoke it would mean something. It still does. She speaks when she wants something or wants to be understood. Some gibberish some not, but always adament. Shes almost 7 now but her launguage is developing. She is amazing.

Michelle Kaan
Long Island, NY

Hugs for Free

Our daughter is almost 14 now. She wasn't diagnosed with Autism until around 8. I knew at 3. It was her insatiable need to hug everyone that kept throwing the medical community off. Thankfully the spectum finally "opened" in their eyes to include the affectionate children like Claudia. She is on a mission to give hugs out to all who may need them. Can't tell you how often she has surpised a stranger with a hug and brought them to tears. We were able to get her into speech therapy at three years old since she wasn't really speaking, and the therapy was remarkable!!! She still won't hold a typical conversation, but she speaks well enough for us to get by! She sings like an angel!!!! To know and accept Claudia is to know unconditional love!! And you will definatly get a lot of free hugs!

Susan
Deer Park, WA

Believe in Change

From the moment our son came home from the hospital, we knew he was unique. Throughout his growing years, we struggled with developmental, dietary, and socialization issues. We were given no help or hope and just did the best we could to try and support him through these.

When our son was 8, we were told by the public school system that he was borderline "mentally retarded' and he would never be able to perform "normally". We were devastated. We were asked by our school to remove him due to his overwhelming anxiety and disturbing behaviors. At that time, he could not be away from us for any length of time, hurt himself, and had daily meltdowns over everything from socks to tooth brushing.

Eventually, we found our way through the maze of homeschooling, speech/language therapy, occupational therapy, behavioral therapies, dietary roulette,and a diagnosis of autism. Now we now have a testament to never accepting negative predictions against your children.
He is now 13, a year ahead in school as a freshman. He is attending a nationally ranked magnet arts high school and thriving. He made the basketball team and plays trumpet. He is verbal, social, and successful with very few accommodations. He went to New York this summer with his choir group without us. Our biggest problem now is that most people have a hard time believing his diagnosis when they hear it because he seems so "normal". We know there will be challenges still, but we know never to underestimate him or his ability to overcome.

J Chappell
Montgomery, AL