Stories of Hope

Living With Autism

My name is Tom and I have been living with Autism - Asperger's Syndrome, to be precise - my entire life, but it wasn't diagnosed until I had left the eighth grade. The reason for this is that my father, who died about five years ago, wasn't an accepting man and refused to believe that anyone with his genes could be 'abnormal.'

Even when I found out that I had Aspergers, it was of little consequence to me and I didn't realize how much it was affecting my life until recently. In Middle School, I was always the subject of rude comments and had less than five friends during my entire time there. It wasn't until my senior year in high school that I began to change and be more social.

Anyone else out there who may have Asperger's syndrome, I understand how hard it can be to make friends, especially if you are around unaccepting people. But I also understand that it can be managed and I have tried a great deal to manage some of the anti-social aspects of my condition.

Is it hard? Of course. But are the results worth it? Definately. If you or a family member has Asperger's syndrome and finds it difficult to manage, I understand how you feel. I still have many troubles that I have to manage because of this condition, but I have improved on many of the anti-social aspects I once had. So to anyone who might find themselves in a similar situation, don't give up! It's easy to get discourged but just have faith in yourself and it will turn out all right in the end.

Tom Landers
Manchester, CT

You are my sunshine!!!!

My 11yr old daughter Caitlyn was diagnosed with autism in 2008. She is a loveable, kindhearted, sweet beautiful girl. She still loves Barney, sesame street and winnie the pooh (shes absoluetly obsessed with christopher robin from winnie the pooh). She loves to play music instruments and is very eager to learn, it just amazes me that she can be taught something a few times and she picks it up and memorizes it and its there forever. She is an inspiration. She has 4 siblings whom she adores and is very protective over. She doesn't like to be in crowded places or around alot of noise but is yearning for friends, she would like nothing more than to have some friends her age. Caitlyn has a unique and wonderful personality, she becomes the center of attention at any family function with all the inquisitive and funny things she comes up with. She brings a ray of sunshine into any room she enters. Although autism can be very difficult to deal with, you can learn and pick up little techniques and tricks for redirecting and finding ways to make it all work the best you can. After all these are our children and only the best is good enough for them. Having an autistic childs helped me to appreciate life and realize that God gives us all he thinks we can handle and I was blessed for being chosen to have such a special child in my life.

Anonymous
folcroft, PA

Meet the Amazing Austin!!!

My son has autism, autism does NOT have my son!!! He is wonderful, hard headed, silly, smart, loving, hard headed, and AMAZING, did I mention a little hard headed? I love this brown eyed boy to the stars and back, he doesn't play like other kids, so what? He wanted Guy Fieri's cookbook for his 8th birthday, he will not watch a 'kids' movie with me, but he can tell you everyone's name on the Food Network, he loves to pray and thank Jesus for his friends! Austin is the best 'snuggle buddy' in the world!! He still LOVES Barney the dinosaur, school buses and horses. He loves to eat collards, cabbage and M&M's not at the same time, ofcourse!, He is AWESOME and brave, we fight the monster called autism everyday with the help of his WONDERFUL teachers, our family and most of all GOD!! One day we will chase that monster back into the closet, but until then, we are fighting with Austin hand in hand every step of the way, together!! WE LOVE YOU!!!

Melanie Cervantes
cataula, GA

My sweet child

Austin is 7 years old and is the sweetest little boy you could ever meet. He has a smile that shines like an angel and is very bright. He was diagnosed with Autism in the summer of 2010. He is socially awkward but if you get to know him, you will be his best friend.
He is not like other little boys who like to get out and play baseball in the streets or ride his bike around the neighborhood. He does not like to go outside at all. He don't like to go anywhere for that matter. He is a home body. We go to visit family and won't be there 5 minutes and he will ask if it is time to go home.
He loves puzzles, he will put a 150 piece puzzle together in 20 minutes and then when he gets bored with that, he will flip it over with the picture side down and put it together that way.He also love playing games on the computer..he played a hidden object game with my mom one time,she showed him how to play and where to find the objects, after that he did it all by himself without any help like he was a pro, not just 1 level..the entire game!
Austin is such a good boy, my husband and I are blessed to have such a sweet child.I can't imagine life with Austin being any other way. We are a happy family and although it is mandatory for us to stick to routines in this house, we are just happy to be together and Austin always makes life interesting! Thank you for giving me this opportunity to share my sweet child with you.

Lorrie
KINCHELOE, MI

A Mom & Two Kids On The Spectrum - Together.

My name is Whitney, I have PDD-NOS and I have three wonderful children. Chance is 7 yrs old, he has mild to moderate high functioning Autism. He didn't get properly diagnosed until he was 5yrs old, eventhough he was receiving services through Early Intervention, no one suspected Autism except for me. He had been misdiagnosed three times by two different child psychologists and a pediatrician. After he was diagnosed I had to fight to get him the services he needed but he is doing great now. Chance attends a local public school and is in a mainstream classroom. He loves all things Star Wars and penguins.

I have a 27 month old daughter named Trinity who is also on the spectrum. We're currently going through the evaluation process to get her a proper diagnosis. Trinity was crawling by 5 months old and walking by her first birthday. She is very bright and curious, she is extremely intelligent too. Trinity doesn't speak words but is very vocal and she is a beautiful, sassy little girl. Trinity loves Mickey Mouse and reading books.

I'm very comfortable with ASD. My children are miracles and I relate to them well. Many people ask me what it's like to raise two children with ASD, when you have it yourself. People often assume it's very difficult but in my opinion it isn't. I can relate to my children from a point of view that no one else can. I've been there and done that. Having PDD-NOS has been a gift when it comes to parenting my children with ASD because I "get it". We may be quirky and sometimes strange, but we're a whole lot of fun! If given the opportunity I wouldn't change a thing, we're all unique and special in our own ways.

Whitney
Cookeville, TN

My Daughter has Colors.

Hello, My Daughter Anna, we call her Annie. She was born premature into this world almost 19 years ago with a birth defect that required surgery. Of course I was worred she would have massive damage but she was wide-eyed from the beginning. She did not cry alot,would just watch everyone around her all the time from newborn on. She learned to read letters from peoples shirts and t.v.'s, from 15 months on and astounded friends and family all the time. She was always reading the dictionary and encyclopedia's were never a punishment. I have never looked at Annie differently and never thought of her differently. She has always been bullied in school because she was considered different. I believe it is the outside world that is different...different because they can't accept something they can't quite understand and are afraid of. While Annie and all Autistic children around the world see our world in colors....we in our short-sightedness only see what is in front of us....in black and white. I believe they are lucky to see the colors and we are unlucky to only see what is put in front of us. My daughter draws beautiful pictures....writes beautiful poetry...animals love her...my daughter and all children with Autism have what all people in this world try to achieve....Colors.

Robyn Mackay
Lake Stevens, WA

I Never Thought He Would Learn To Read and Write....

My son was diagnosed with autism when he was 2 1/2 years old. He was literally climbing the walls and furniture as soon as he could walk. By the time he was 4, he had his head stapled shut twice. One day my husband found my son hanging by his hands from the upstairs railing over an 8 ft drop so he boarded off the upstairs for almost a year!

We were at the end of our wits (btw our girls were 5 and 7 at the time.) The worst part for me was that this beautiful child couldn't speak. He couldn't even tell me what was going on in that wild and crazy head of his. We didnt' know what to do for him, how to reach him. We couldn't take our eyes off of him for a minute w/o some crisis happening. We felt like failures as parents.

But then we got him into early intensive pre-k. Not long after, we found out he was having these night time seizures... once we started treating those, many of the more dangerous behaviors stopped and he started to learn to speak. By the age of 5, he was potty trained and starting to use language for something more than telling me he wanted juice.

Now he is 8 years old, and its so amazing. He has these great teachers, and he's learning to read, write and do math. He has some quirks - he's very set in his ways and he still has a bit of a temper, but he's got a great sense of humor. It has taken a lot of work, but my son has come out of his shell. When he was two, I had no hope for his future, but now? There are so many possibilities....

Sara
Jefferson, OR

I've been touched by Autism

We were so Blessed in Oct 2006 when our precious grandson Dayton was born. Little did I know how much this little boy would teach me. He was diagnosed with Autism when he was 2. His parents were saddened cause they didnt know much about Autism. Well I am here to tell you that Autism is JOY! This young man brightens each and every day of our lives. He is still non verbal but he speaks so well with his eyes and expressions. I have learned to go into his world. It is so fascinating! I tell his parents to trust in the Lord as the Lord trusted in them to be the best parents for him. He has sensory issues but we will get through them. He is so very smart and knows everything. I swear he reads everything! When he notices words he takes his little hand and follows all the words from top to bottom. I pray for him each and every day that his speech will come.
The state in which we live does not recognize Autism as a disability so help is very limited. It is up to us to teach him and mold him. We are TEAM DAYTON! He is the most loving innocent little guy I have every met.
We all took a family vacation to the beautiful state of Colorado and there he noticed the moon for the first time! The joy that little boy had was tremendous! He made me see the moon differently! He helps me see all things differently!...for the better! He has made me a better person. Your granny loves you so much! I praise the Lord for Blessing me so big! God Bless all the families who are touched by Autism.

Dee Hoskinson
hillsboro, KS

Becoming a mom and instinctually knowing something is different.

I became a proud mom at 21yrs of age. I read the books what to expect etc..I really became conflicted by little things like my son not sitting up or crawling in the appropiate range of time. I spoke to Dr.after Dr. with continuing concerns, and I received all types of nonsensical answers to my concerns. I knew it was something that was serious in my heart. I was just baffled by the different thoughts of Doctors saying it is nothing to be concerned about. When my son was two I thought maybe he has a hearing problem, but he had no problem identifying a plane flying over. That theory was out. My next concern I addressed with friends that had young children I had them watch my 2yr old walk off into a big courtyard that lead to a street. My son never looked back after 30 yards or so and continued walking toward the street. He was not concerned about me being close. My friends agreed that was not normal. I finally found the answer from his speech therapist that recomended I see a specialty pediatric Dr.(My Angel) He observed my son for a little while and said to me you are dealing with a problem that is a lot tuffer than you are thinking it is. My angel had me research different words one of which was Asperger's it was amazing when I read about it. It just described him to a tee. This was actually a relief to me because from that point forward I knew what I was dealing with. My point is the concern and stress of not knowing what it was or how to help was very troubling for me. I felt helpless until my angel Dr. Baldwin showed me the light.

Proud parent of a child with Asperger's
Cabot, AR

I Am... Jacob.

My Name is Jacob. My mom is writing this for me because she accepts me exactly for who I am. She does not judge me or think something is "wrong" with me. My mom and dad find my "different" beautiful. They both tell me I am amazing and brilliant and when they do, I say "No I'm not, I am Jacob." They tell me I am the most loving, precious child and I say "No I'm not, I am just Jacob." I do not understand when people label other people as "this" or "that". I just am.
I am 7 and I have known my alphabet since I was 2, I also could read and write by 4, and by first grade I was doing multiplication. I just have a hard time interacting with you because I am not sure how to say what it is I am thinking.
I see the world through a lens and so do you. All our lenses are different yet if you really look close enough, we are all the same, The difference is in how our minds process things.
Imagine a very hard puzzle. The pieces look alike and the shapes are similar, and you have to put the puzzle together,,,that is how I feel when you ask me a question or talk to me...I hear you. I know what you said, I just must take those pieces and try to put them together so I can tell you things. This does not mean I am anything less or anything more than you are. I don't want you to feel sorry for me or treat me any different than any one else. All I ask is keep including me even if shy from you. I love that you love me.

Angela
Marquette, MI