Stories of Hope

Runnin' Robbie

Our son Robbie started receiving services for Autism at age three, he's 18 today. We went through ups and downs over the years. Behavior problems based mostly on his frustration of trying to fit in a world that is not always friendly to kids with autism. Especially when trying to learn and fit in at school. Many of his teachers focused on what he couldn't do and my husband and I spent many years fighting for him for everything. Thankfully we had the help of our families behind us. Especially his grandpa, who attends almost every CSE meeting.

Finally in 8th grade he ended up with a special group of teachers and also decided to join the track team. In addition he saw an autism specialist, Michael Powers, who did extensive testing and reporting on Robbie's strengths and weaknesses and what would help him succeed. We were able to use this 14 page report to help guide his school. His grades literally soared. Fast forward to today and he'll be a senior in Sept. He runs Cross Country, Winter, and Spring track as well as 5k races all over our area. He can run a 5k in aprox 18 minutes. He made many wonderful friends that way. He also has made the high honor roll almost every semester since 8th grade and has passed every Regents exam (we live in NY) that teachers never thought he was capable of passing.

His work ethic, determination, and overall attitude inspire us every single day. Anything he sets his mind to do he accomplishes. He's served as an example to his younger non autistic brother and sister. We are so proud of him and truly blessed. The picture included is of Robbie and his dad both winning trophies in a local 5k in this past spring. Robbie is the tall one. :)

Maria Greco
Wappingers Falls, NY

autism and my son

Almost 3 and a half years ago, my beautiful boys milestones and character vanished and I was left with a shell.
Him being my first child I didnt know what to do with myself. Doctors didnt know what was wrong and health visitors labelled him a slow developer.
After months of referrals, my son was seen by a specialist, and the autism diagnosis was made. Finally an answer to my questions and worries, but our journey had just started.
I was crushed when the specialists told me that my little boy would probably never talk, would never be out of nappys, would never look at me, and would never be affectionate...
This was something I would never accept or give up on.
Today my gorgeous boy looks at me, answers questions I ask, has a vocabulary (and is very cheeky), fully toilet trained, kisses and cuddles me but best of all says love u.
My little boy is an inspiration. Hes taught me to never give up hope and if anything, autism has given me a wonderful cheeky little man!
Its not easy, but anything is possible now.

Stephanie Ross
fife, United Kingdom

Wylie

At the age of 3 Wylie was diagnosed with autism and started early intervention. Also at the age of 3 Wylie began his love of elephants. Everything was elephants from shirts to stuffed animals to pictures, you name it he had. Word got around that Wylie loves elephants and we just happened to live close to the wild life safari. Someone contacted me who was an elephant trainer and asked if he wanted to come work with the elephants. After that call Wylie made regular visits to the wild life safari and "worked". He helped clean stalls, hid eggs for them to find for Easter, washed them, fed them hay. He has learned so much about elephants and can tell you all there is to know about these fascinating creatures. He still loves them and continues to grow. Wylie was also featured in the news and made it into nationwide news for his work with elephants. Wylie is 15 now and is constantly growing and amazes me every day..

Danielle
Roseburg, OR

Autistic Dream

My son's story is on indiegogo.com under the campaign name of Autistic Dream. He is 28 and will be heading to London to study art. His beautiful art work got him accepted to the University of the Arts at London. He needs everyone's help to get him there by the end of next month, August. I am disabled now and we need your help. Please take the time and read his campaign and share if ya can. This is his gift and he needs to share it with the world. Autism is awesome. Thank you for readong and sharing.

Jackie Lawson
Ramona, CA

Autism, my son and blessing!!!!

My son was 4 1/2 years old when he was finally diagnosed with autism. I struggled for years with my youngest son wondering what I was doing wrong as a parent. I would cry and try to figure out what I could do to make my son happy but nothing worked. Finally one day his pediatric dr decided to send him for testing which I begged him for. Once all the testing was done we were told our son was autistic. Now some people would cry or feel very discouraged from the results. Not me, I finally felt like I knew which wag way life was headed and what was going on. I no longer what I was doing wrong but finally was able to start doing things better for he sake of my son. I started doing research, got him into therapy and the best school possible for him. I knew that it would be challenging but at the same time I knew life would be better. We still have good and bad days but overall we are doing great. That was 9 years ago and my son is fabulous. He is only 1 year behind other children his age. He still has an innocence about him but I love it!!!! He has informed me recently that mom I'm going to college and I'm taking my pillow with me :) Made me proud and blessed to have autism in my life!! It has given me a life that I can't image not having!!!! Autism is our life and we are very blessed!!!

Mary
Columbus, OH

My Firework

Lexy brightened and added a spark to my life since the moment she was born. I was a single mother, with amazing support from my sister and Mother. 3 Woman and a Little Lady as I called it.
At the age of 14 months Lexy was diagnosed with ASD. Although difficult to hear, I accepted it with Strength and Determination to Keep Moving Forward! Lexy is my only child. We knew she was different when she would line things up around the house when she was a toddler, she would become so frustrated and bang her head, or throw things, because-she didn't speak or say her first words until she was 4-5 years old, there was no eye contact. Every story and book I read, I felt was a blue-print to Lexy. One thing I could remember and learned throughout the years I can't teach her as if she is as the world calls it- "different" or " special" because unfortunately, the world we live in won't treat her "different" or "special". We continue to give her endless Love, devotion, and self-confidence.

Lexy is now 11 years old. We have had our fair share of schools that could not provide proper education, bullies, and struggles to understand what “normal” or “typical” is.
The way we see it- Lexy is normal. She has accomplished the challenges that were presented. I couldn’t be more proud her. She is in Karate, Modeling, and Girl Scouts. She enjoys travelling, Fashion, drawing, and computers. WE ALWAYS STAY POSITIVE, SO SHE IS POSITIVE. She is truly a spark-Beautiful, Smart, Funny, Brave, Literal, and Loving.... She showers me with endless hugs and kisses - I can never get enough.
Katy Perry (Firework)
It's always been inside of you, you, you
And now it's time you let it through

'Cause baby, you're a firework
Come on, show 'em what you're worth –

Jasmine Valentin
Miami, FL

My forever teacher, Cian

I have twin boys, Aidan and Cian. They were born at 28 weeks, due to complications from TTTS. While Aidan has physical and mental handicaps (moderate to severe spastic quad CP), Cian just showed outward developmental delays. As the weeks and months of therapy after therapy passed, something was still "just not quite right" with my little man. We tried every diagnosis we could think of, that might fit the overly-hyperactive, yet smart-as-a-whip little boy. ADHD didn't quite seem to fit, so as a last resort (and more just so it could be "ruled out") we had Cian tested for Autism. His "typical" two and a half year old little sister went with us to the testing. Right away as the doc began working with Cian and he was not giving two hoots what the doc was doing, yet little sis was joining in as a "typical" toddler should be, I began to see where Cian's deficits were. Tears stung my eyes as the diagnosis was declared, because "Autism" was a very scary word, and certainly not one I had prepared myself for. However, I quickly realized that this was the answer I had been searching for, a REASON why he was so impulsive, and had no awareness of dangers, and why he was so overly sensory. THIS was exactly what I had needed, thus began the search for anything and everything that just might help Cian succeed. My little man and his brother just turned 4 last month, and have a LONG road ahead of them, but the fact that they are even here is a miracle in and of itself, and we look forward to helping them both every step of the way!

Nicole Gilbert
Greenville, SC

The day Autism entered our lives.

I had known for years that there was more going on with my son than what we had been told. He was delayed almost right from the start. He was delayed in crawling, walking, feeding himself, potty training and speech. At 3 1/2 he was diagnosed as ADHD. While there was some improvement with ADHD medication things still weren't right.

When he was 7 it was suggested that he be tested for ASD's. The day came that we went to the appointment to find out the results. It's been over 11 years now and I will never forget that moment. There was denial, anger, fear and lots of questions. The biggest thing that came out of that meeting, despite everything else, was that IT had a name and that was Aspergers Syndrome. Now that we knew what IT was we could try to defeat the disorder. You can't attack the unknown. It's been 11 long years and an uphill battle, but he has worked so hard, kept an amazing attitude and he has made so much progress. He graduated high school in May. I am so proud of him.

Harry Shaw Jr
Buffalo Grove, IL

My big brother

I was in a theater watching the film RAINMAN. The character played by Dusting Hoffman depicted my brother so well I was stunned. Chip, 59, was diagnosed as a little boy, as schizophrenic. We had him tested after I saw RAINMAN, and Autism became his new diagnosis.

Chip has held the same full time job since 1974. He works in the kitchen of a huge insurance company in Ma. He is never late for work, and takes the same route every day to get there. He drives himself. Chip is great at saving money, and has bought every vehicle he's ever owned without a cosigner. His current car, he payed cash for.
Chip belongs to the Civil Air Patrol, has his Ham Radio license (he learner Morse Code in one week), he's in a bowling league, and works out at a gym 5 days a week.

Back in the 1960's at age 9, Chip was sent to live at a school in Pa. A year later he was moved to a Ma branch of the same school, and came home on weekends. When he was 16, my parents learned of a program at West Springfield high school. They enrolled Chip, and he graduated when he was 19.

Chips personality has evolved over the years. He now frequently makes eye contact, and while he doesn't understand sarcasm, he does joke around and laugh. Chip is very smart in some ways, remembers dates, phone numbers, and can recite entire passages from articles he's read. Chip has no interest in dating, but has friends.

My parents were originally told he would never graduate from high school, drive, or hold a job. Chip hares the word never, and has proved he is very capable. Chip is my hero and inspiration.

Jean Larson
Beverly, MA

my wonderful son

I knew from the moment my son was born he was special. At 13 months he was diagnosed as learning disabled. He had early intervention to the house.my son didn't talk,walk crawl and was what I thought to be a fussy baby. At 2yr old he went to just kids for2 yrs and then head start for 2yrs. His 1st grade teacher noticed there was a problem and suggested we get him tested. Thats when we met his wonderful Dr.she sat us down and explained how it was gonna work. She ordered all kinds of tests, had him seen by several specialist. When she had all the results in she sat us down with the news. My son has adhd,oppositional difient disorder,anxiety, learning disabilities. And was somewhere on the autistic spectrum. I looked at my son and lost it.what was gonna happen to my child.she took my hand and said he will be ok.there are meds, and therapys.wen I went home my reasearch sstarted. My son was placed in special ed classes in our school district. He did well,until he hit high school.unfortunately kids can be cruel ad there was an incident,not his fault,that caused alot of problems. That is when we had our answer, my son has pdd ,borderline asperger. More aspergers than pdd. I lost it. With help from his Dr and school councilor he graduated high school,even did a semester in collage. That to came to an end by false accusations. He is now 20,and so smart. He is taking online classes to be a video game designer. This has shown me the true test of the human spirit. All his life I fought for him to get the services he needed. My son is my greatest accomplishment. I would not trade any of te hard times,outbursts, emotional or physical. Challenges. I have to other children who do not have autism and they love their brother dearly.

lisa
Charleston, SC