Stories of Hope

Logan's story

About 3 weeks ago, I brought my son Logan who is 2.5 years old to the neurologist for a routine exam for cyclic vomiting syndrome w/ migraines. I never imagined leaving the office with a diagnosis of PDD-NOS. Our story started when Logan was 12 months. He had a normal checkup and we noticed he wasn't hitting all of his milestones but had been up until this visit. He walked on the later side of 16 months and his language didn't develop. We were referred to the birth to three system and began therapy. He became fascinated with matchbox cars and just about anything that has wheels. He moves them back and forth and stims of the wheels. He recently started side gazing to the point where he runs into things constantly. He enjoys rough play and shows no fear when he is in his comfort zone. He will only eat a handful of things and no 2 days are the same between his meltdowns and frustration over others not understanding what he is saying, even though we keep his routine consistent. With all this said he is extremely bright. He knows his body parts, colors, numbers, and letters. He attends a local play group 5 days a week and has play and speech therapy 4x a week. He has made some progress and can now say a handful of words! He is sweet, loving, and very compassionate and as hard as it is sometimes I wouldn't change who my son is for anything. The timing of his diagnosis is difficult however as we just welcomed our daughter into this world 3 months ago. My fear for Ava is that one day she will share the same diagnosis as her brother. As difficult as the worrying is, only time will tell and that's something my husband and I are in the process of coping with. Having a child with special needs is difficult but it is so rewarding in so many ways.

Amanda Behuniak
Thomaston, CT

Jazmine

My daughter was a preemie so, delays were expected. She started physical therapy at 6mths, then later developmental intervention. By 18 mths, I noticed regression in her speech. She loved to spin...I thought it was cute until her therapist pointed out to me that it could be a sign of Autism. I began to worry that my daughter may never learn to talk or be potty trained...etc. It seemed to take forever to get her into speech therapy Once she was diagnosed with Autism...we were finally able to get speech started but by this time she began to have issues with social interaction. She did not respond well with her speech therapist. At age 3 she started Preschool...I was terrified...would she wander away from the class? Would she be able to voice her wants/needs? What about loud noises? I was told that children learn a lot from other kids. It turned out to be a true! Preschool turned out to be a huge turning point for her!!! She began to make friends quickly, she loved the new therapists...her speech improved rapidly...her occupational skills were beginning to improve. She learned how to use her imagination! Her progress took off like wild fire. I was and still am amazed. By age 4 my daughter could not only talk but she could read!!! Jazmine is now 5, about to turn 6 & her academic skills are shocking. She seems to have a photographic memory...if she reads a word once, she doesn't forget it...some of her favorite books are 2nd grade level....She loves to learn! When she watches DVD’s she programs the movies with the words are on the screen so, she can read along! For Jazmine what I thought was gonna hold her back turned out to be a blessing in disguise! She loves to go to church, to the park & she especially loves to go to the library! She has recently began pageants which is helping to improve her coordination & eye contact. I feel very blessed & proud of my Princess Jazmine!

Jamie Hall
Prestonsburg, KY

Malsie

This is my beautiful daughter Mallory (aka Malsie). Ten years ago she was diagnosed with autism, PDD-NOS. she talked early then stopped one day, she would never smile, or look you in the eyes. Malsie had extensive therapy from the time she was one til just a few years ago. When she was three I was deployed to Iraq, so she stayed with my mom, and while I was gone she got a spot at a prestigious autistic school that specialized with ABA therapy. She was there for two years while living with my mom. If it was not for the early intervention and the wonderful school Mallory would not be how she is today. Today she is imaginative,straight A student, kind, caring, which she always was but now she can express it. She is also a non stop talker. She will talk your ear off if you let her, lol. She is in 5th grade and is keeping up and sometimes above her peers in many subjects. To see her laugh and have so many friends is amazing and a blessing. when she was three she did not tallk, kept to her self, and couldn't express her feelings. Malsie is an amazing girl who has over come so much In Her life already, she is an inspiration to us all to never except defeat and to always persevere. She is socially where she needs to be and no longer needs services. We love you Mallory, you are an am ing young lady. Mommy and Daddy are so proud of you everyday..

Sara Loving
Fort Drum, NY

Don't give up hope.. Help is out there

I am the mom of 2 fabulous boys. Our adventure into the world of special needs started when my children started their school career at the age of 2. They both had the same issues at the same ages.. Late talking, eye contact problems, etc...

Our lives were suddenly scheduled around Dr. Appts, speech therapy, Occupational therapy, then later behavior therapy. My youngest was diagnosed with lower functioning Autism and a behavior disorder at the age of 4. My oldest was diagnosed with high functioning autism at the age of 8. We worried about their future. Will they get married? Will they be able to hold a job? There were so many unanswered questions that no one could answer.
We found an amazing school near us for kids and adults with autism. Our youngest started in that school when he was 7. We found acceptance and an amazing parent support group. This was a huge relief to finally find someone to talk to that could understand the meltdowns, the medications, the Dr.'s, and the additional diagnosis' they eventually received over the years.

When my boys turned 9 we were introduced into the amazing world of Special Olympics. I was so happy when my kids were accepted by the other athletes for who they are! If my son had a meltdown, instead of staring at him, they would ask if I needed any help. We were so happy! My boys made friends that they still see to this day.

Fasting forward to today:

My youngest is now 21 and has graduated from his school and is (with the help of his 1:1 aide) volunteering at the local humane society. He is also on my special needs cheerleading team. We travel to 7 competitions through Michigan and Ohio. My oldest is working part time/going to college for computer graphics and design part time and is Driving!

What I have learned over the years is to not give up hope. Our lives are hectic, busy, adventurous and most of the time unpredictable, but we wouldn't change it for the world!

Debbie
Wayne, MI

Caterpillar to Butterfly

For most of my life I knew I was different, or as many people would say "wrong". Eventually a friend read an article about Asperger's and realised it described me. I managed to find a doctor who was capable of diagnosing me and received my dx. It said "severely affected" but I'm not - I have had a job for most of the years I was looking for one and I have had a marriage and a family. Severely affected implies the lack of both of these in my mind.

Now the bad part. In the eyes of my partner I went from a hard case to "reform" to a person with a disability. That was the end of the marriage, but we stayed together as long as we had young children.

Then it gradually started to get better. I researched Asperger's and worked on developing the aspects of my personality that were lacking. In the course of examining myself I made some startling discoveries which resulted in alienation from my family, church and friends, but ultimately lead to my rebirth as a confident and sociable woman. Now I volunteer with a charity that provides social support for the lonely and vulnerable people of the city - I used to be one of them but not any more.

Reinventing yourself is not for everyone, especially when it involves something as extreme as transition (MtF) but many of us are capable of far more than we have been told.

Mary Davey
Oxford, United Kingdom

When our grandson first showed signs of Autism

When our grandson was less than 2 years old. Started this jumping up and down and moving around and around all the time and looking at his hands, lining toys up in a row.Stopped talking and doing things like in the picture.I knew something was going on and ask his parents to have him tested and they did. He was dianoised with Servere Austism. He is 9 years old this September and doing great. Still non-verbal but we have all adjusted to him and is in the 3ed grade now. He has an ipad that we use to communicate with him. We love him so much.Love him just the way God gave him to us. It has been a hard pill to swollow but he is a GREAT little man. love you with all my heart JJ.grandma

Kathy Miller
Peru, IN

Single mother of two autistic babies

My life has been Forever changed by autism. I have a nephew who was diagnosed with autism when he was 24 months old. Within the next couple years my best friends daughter was also diagnosed as well. They are 11 and 8 now.
I have two babies who were blessings after lifelong battles with miscarriage. They are my pride and joy. I started noticing in my daughter Olevia at about 5 months old- very quiet. Doesn't cry. I knew in my heart she had autism. I never mentioned it to anyone except my best friend I mean everyone would think I was crazy. Especially my husband. Me and my husband split when she was about 6 months old. I started really noticing more as she got a little older. No eye contact whatsoever ever. I kept thinking ur a crazy person. She's too young. Born 6 weeks early. But I couldn't hold back any longer. I brought this to my kids doctors attention. they immediately booked double appts for Caidyn and Olevia. Moving around others to get my babies in sooner. It was the worst five weeks of my life waiting. Waiting to hear what ur head knows they r going to say but your heart can't believe. They diagnosed my son Caidyn at 24 months and my Olevia at 11 months ( 9 and a half months corrected age with full blown autism. They both have very similar behaviors- they cry a lot they bang there heads Caidyn jumps all day has meltdowns prob once an hour. My daughter watches him and copies everything now I am overwhelmed. One thing is for sure I will take my last breath-my last bit of strength to help and care for my babies. It hasn't even been two months since I found out and I have started taking all the neccesary steps to better there life. Mommy loves u both more than u will ever or can ever imagine. I will not let autism control me. I will be strong even when I feel like I can't. For both of you. Forever.

Desiree Bradley
Albany, NY

How i become app developer?

I am Daphna graphic designer and mother of an autistic child
During one of the staff meetings in the nursery, the clinician recommended the use of an iPad.

The very next day we bought an iPad and downloaded the applications recommended to us, we found out that Elad responds very well to the gadget. He is showing no objections when we are revealing new contents to him, he has fun experimenting, pushing buttons, exploring the iPad.
I saw Elad was helped by the gadget. He pushed the instructions, for instance: putting toothpaste on the toothbrush, and he would immediately perform this himself. It was evident that Elad found the iPad easier to work with rather than a verbal instruction. It gets him organized; suddenly he pays more attention to his own actions…
Following the success story with Elad, and responses from professionals within the field of aid to children with special needs, we have decided to enable other children to enjoy these benefits.Half a year of hard work produce" MYLIFESKILLSBOX". an iPad application for children with special needs.
The app including three area of life - every day actions, social behavior and play.

Daphna sarusi
Herzelia, Israel

The Sweetest Joy

Autism first touched my life in 2005. My beautiful son Rocco was born in October of 2004. With golden blond curls and brilliant blue eyes, he looked like an advertisement for baby food. He was healthy and happy, but as he grew we noticed that didn’t smile like other babies and he wasn’t walking or talking.

The first time a doctor mentioned ‘Autism’ to me; it felt like a cold, swift blow to the stomach. I sat in the doctor’s office, holding my cherubic son and thought, she must be wrong. Not my child.

Time went on, and it became undeniable. Autism was going to be a part of our life, whether we wanted it or not. We had to gently let go of those hopes and dreams that every parent has. Our aspirations for things like college football, getting married, having children, all painfully, slowly drifted away. And in their wake, left our hearts broken.

But, in their place, we discovered a simple joy in what he could do. Because he had to fight to accomplish that which comes easy to other children, his achievements were that much sweeter. I will never forget the moment he uttered ‘Cup Mama’, gesturing to his cup. I was bursting with pride; speech did not come easy to him. He worked so determinedly for those two words.

The most amazing thing about my son; is that he is pure in every way. He has a hard time even grasping the concept of lying. His unadulterated love for others, his lack of guile and inability to be deceptive is something the rest of us should all aspire to. And because his hugs are a little fewer and farther in between, they are the sweetest hugs I know.

He is in middle school now, and he is moving from a campus with only special needs children, to a regular campus in a special needs class. For years, he has worked tirelessly for this accomplishment. And come the first day of school, I know that my sense of pride and joy will be without compare.

Laura Z.
Redwood City, CA

me and my boy

I grew up with many problems and was lable special. I was put in classes away from my peers.Scornd as a bad kids who just could not be motivated.Fast forward to today my son has been diagnosed with autism.He show many of the trates i had growing up.So where as i had no help and stuggled through life.I am always there for him.We are living one day at a time just him and I. I will never amout to anything but a good father in life,but my dreams are alive in him.

matt chilcote
green bay, WI