Stories of Hope

My Son

It all started right before his third birthday, I noticed that he was covering his ears a lot and hiding blankets when watching tv. By spring he still wasn't talking as much and you couldn't understand something he was saying. I put him in PPI classes and after 2 months he quit talking and doing sign language. I had lost communication with my child and felt lost. I was a single mother at the time and working full time for my children. I took matters into my own hands, by the time a year had past he was talking and I was proud of what I had done for my son. Life was changing fast, food became bland, texture issues, he could hear sounds I couldn't, sleeping patterns, versions clothes and colors. Many nights I cried myself to sleep asking God why me? Then another year went by, I said to myself this challenge is accepted! I have over come my sons many challenges in life, you see my son has Autism and ADD. He is turning 13 now and goes to a college prep school and attends normal classes like everyone else. Yes we have our challenges but we get through them on a daily basis. We no longer have to have a calender of routine and can pick up and go when we want. He eats normal foods and colors don't matter anymore. He still won't wear blue jeans, but I'm ok with that. I have over come the trials and breaking point that having a child with special needs can bring to my life. Car rides are one more thing that was a big accomplishment in my life. I have had the opportunity to speak and help other parents out on issues and that makes me feel good about what I have done for my son. I can't express how much early intervention really helps. I could tell you more about my story but it would take forever, that its why I have summed it up to a brief story. My life with my son is amazing!

Lisa Hinkley
Freeland, MI

Lanes story

Lanes story is one I tell to everyone who asks. He was born six weeks early and every milestone he hit was early.
Until he hit the age two. My precious boy, my last baby, stopped talking. He was potty trained and over night, it stopped. Then came the temper tantrums. Running into walls, hitting his head on everything. Screaming for seemingly no reason at all. The pediatrician kept saying he was normal, but in my heart, I knew. Something was different. He was still my perfect boy, but something was wrong in his little world.
We moved when he was four, and that was when we started getting help and answers. I was registering my daughter for school and I was asked if I wanted to enroll Lane in 4K. I was ashamed when I said no, but I could not put other children at risk if he were to have a tantrum. Then the school explained that they had specialized testing they could do. I was nervous to put him through that, but I was happy to finally have someone to listen. We went through two months of testing, mostly because he could not sit still.
We got the test results back at the end of the school year and I heard the words I had dreaded. My son had autism. My heart broke. I thought it was my fault. My husband was my rock and helped me through.
We set up appointments with doctors and the teachers and finally got plans in place. We found out that Lane has Aspergers, ADHD, and a mood disorder. We have had luck with medication and different therapies. We seem to be on an even keel for now.He has a brilliant mind, and is testing off the charts. He starts football this fall and is so excited. He still has his bad days but with the help of friends, family and his school we are adapting. I know we still have a long hard road ahead, but we know that he will have a support system that will let him excel.

Mandy
Edgerton, WI

The Quiet Companion Who Changed Everything

A neighbor came to me, telling me that my then thirteen-year- old, had been getting chased home every day from the school bus. When I asked Christopher, he confirmed that these two older boys had been doing this since the beginning of the school year. Son, why did'nt you tell me?

When Christopher was fourteen, a fellow student had been caught at school with a hunting knife.When caught, the student stated his intent to stab my son. They took the knife and sent the boy home on the school bus, the same bus my son took home. Three weeks later I was asking, How could no one tell me or the police?

At fifteen, I found out after the fact, that on two separate occaisions, fellow students had set my sons hair on fire using lighters. I asked the school and my son why they didn't tell me or the police?

At seventeen, I took my son to be tested. The result was non-verbal.

For all that there was that we did not understand...thank God for telling us because the "Quiet Companion" can now be given my love, and we can speak to one another, every day, where we can both better understand.

Christophers' Dad
Ashaway, RI

A day on the Job

At first I knew not to much about autism, then I took a job in a group home and it changed my view point. I stared my first day intimidated that something was going to go wrong, and then months into the job Well it did, I was knocked unconscious by one of the residents. Meanwhile my coworkers tried to control him, while I lay helpless on the floor. The resident Ricky then came over to me looked at me and continues to say "needs help" over and over again.

While staff tried to control the other resident Ricky dragged me upstairs and led me to the office. I sat there confused and just couldn't process what had all happened. My cell phone rang, Ricky said "it's mom" ( she had her own ringtone) I said hello in a crying voice and then I just passed the phone to Ricky where he told my mom what hospital I was going to. The ambulance showed up and Ricky tried to come with me. But ultimately wasn't allowed to come back.

I returned to the group home were Ricky ran out the door and hugged me. I couldn't go back to work for a little bit afterwards but i made sure I could see him in his day program and talk on the phone. I was able to go back to work after about 6 weeks.

Ricky and I had such a special bond that it was something unexpected. I taught him things he wasn't able to do in the past. Him and I would go outside and pretend monster where on the roof and then sign and dance outside in the ran. Everyday he put a smile on my face and everyday was a different adventure.

Heather
Hopatcong, NJ

December 1, 1999

After a year of various diagnostic exams (and one visit to a quack), the only school on Staten Island that taught ABA had a spot open for my son. I just needed an official diagnosis, and we could start battling the autism monster that was hiding him from me.

I called a pediatric neurologist for an appointment but was told the next available date was the 29th. Rather than sit on my hands for a month, I asked the nurse, "Can you put me on a waiting list in case of a cancellation sooner?" She said, "We happen to have an opening today at 3. Can you make it?" It was 2:15. They were an hour away. I had 45 minutes to get to downtown Brooklyn in the winter, and no one was dressed to leave the house. I dreaded driving the Gowanus worse than dentist appointments. Despite my nerves, I said, "I'll take it" and ran about the house, pulling the boys away from Disney TV and into snow suits. We made it in time, and 10 minutes after meeting the neurologist, we had a diagnosis: PDD-NOS. At last my enemy had a name.

On the first school day in 2000, I put my tiny 3 year old baby boy on a bus and cried as it drove away. He's now 16, tall, handsome, kind, bright, thoughtful and funny, and anyone who's met him, loves him. Maybe waiting 28 days wouldn't have changed anything, but I like to think maybe it did.

Carla
Norristown, PA

My Life with Aspergers

Like many people that I know who have Aspergers, I wasn't diagnosed until later in my life. I was diagnosed with Aspergers in December of 2009. I really struggle with reading social cues, knowing when and how to jump into a conversation, lack of eye contact, monotone voice, and lack of facial expressions just to name a few symptoms.

I do have an obsession like most people who have Aspergers. My life is controlled by my obsession for filming.There are pros and cons to my obsession with film. The problem with my passion for film is that I want to film everything I do. Instead of just enjoying a round of golf with my parents or a day at the amusement park, the first thing that comes to mind is, "I really want to film and make a video out of it". On a lighter note, a pro is that it can lead to many career opportunities which I has happened on several occasions.

I did speech therapy for about four or five years since I basically spoke my own made up language as I grew up. I was taught how to give eye contact and it is still very difficult for me. I have always had all or nothing thinking and usually think worst-case scenario. I was bullied in middle and high school to the point where I was scared to go to school each day knowing that people would call me names for no reason and I didn't know how to create small talk. Dealing with change has always been difficult in my life. Substance abuse became very prevalent to numb out. Finally I also struggled with keeping friendships throughout my life because I have trouble understanding social cues and would usually run away from relationships because I thought I upset them. Tones of voice are what usually set me off in these situations. If someone uses a firm voice it feels like they are screaming two inches away from my face. Ive been in treatment for Aspergers since 2010 and am still continuing to seek help.

Scott Klumb
Boulder, CO

Solidified

I always knew my son was different from other children. As a single mother, I sometimes felt overbearing and irrational by telling people that they had to approach him differently. The worst was explaining to his father who came into his life after 7 years, that he couldn't discipline him, or even talk to him like any other child he had been around. Most of the time, teachers, daycare providers, scout leaders, and even his own father never listened. This caused more outbursts.

Finally, at age 9, he was diagnosed with autism. Being able to pinpoint what makes him unique has helped others understand more effectively. He has asked what it means. I simply explain that his mind works at a different rate and rationalizes different than others.

Since his interests include rules, guidelines, moral stability, he has thrived in scouts. The structure keeps him on point. Much less outbursts...and much more fun since he has gained confidence. He sells the most popcorn and always wins the pinewood derby race with the car he engineered with his brilliant mind.

He will be recognized tomorrow by our local United Way as a success story in scouting. His face will be represented in the community in such a positive manner.

This child opened my eyes to look at the world just a little different. I will never take advantage of a simple weather cloud, or an amazing sunset. Because he points out the types of clouds and the reasons there are different colors in the sunset. I love him for his quirky ways and brilliant mind.

Anonymous
Salina, KS

Autism Through A Mommas Eyes

January 2013...our pediatrician recommended that our twins have a developmental evaluation (DE) with a developmental pediatrician. Since our twins were already in early intervention, I contacted our case worker who sent us a list of places we could go for the DE. We scheduled one for Robert in June because it was the only appointment open and Ronan's was going to wait until they opened up scheduling past June. During this time our twins also had recurring double ear infections that weren't going away after 4 different antibiotics. I asked to be referred to an ENT. March 5th 2013 they both had surgery for ear tubes and adenoid removal.

June 5th 2013...a day our family was forever changed. We already knew one of our 2 1/2 year old twin boys was doing things different from his brother. He liked to look at things at weird angles, was more verbal than his twin and liked to hold toys or objects to the point that they interfere with his daily life - he just adapted to holding them and still being able to eat hands free. While at the Developmental Pediatrician's office she said he's 'high risk' and in the same breath threw an autism diagnosis out there and gave us a bunch of paperwork for Autism Resources.

Autism is so under researched and it was a cause very near and dear to my heart prior to my boy being diagnosed. He's also one very smart little guy. He knows the entire alphabet and recognizes every letter by sight which made his eye exam way more bearable. He is now knows and identifies his numbers from Zero to Ten. The amazing part is, he has taught those things to himself. He hates his hands to be touched but makes great eye contact. Haircuts are a nightmare. What I've learned so far from this 'thing called Autism' is that every child diagnosed is so very different. Yes, Robert has some of the 'signs' but some of things he does I attribute to Robert just being Robert!

Sherri Olsen
Plainfield, IL

my son changed my view on life with kids

My oldest son lucavi is just an amazing little boy I knew from an early age that he was different very smart for a 1 yr old at theu time was walking at 10 months talking in full sentences and eating really well then it felt like 1 day that all had changed he stop talking as much wouldn't eat anything but chicken nuggets and breakfast foods we went through a program called first steps I told them my concerns but they said he was to young to tell so years went by I addressed my concerns to drs and teachers and no one would hear me out they told me he just had adhd the medicines didn't help so a friend told me about this Dr who specialize in cases like my son and they have diagnosed him with pdd now knowing what he has and knowing what I am dealing with has changed our life's so much I love my son so much and having him in my life has changed me and my life so much he is so smart and has the greatest imagination I wouldn't change him for the world

Jennifer
Huntington, IN

The day autism changed my life....

I work at the Perry County Board of DD as a Behavior Support Coordinator. I went to visit a little girl on the spectrum and fell in LOVE. She is courageous, makes her wants known, and seriously has issues with people who think they know, but actually don't. My life changed once I realized people who are on the spectrum are people! They are more intelligent than we can imagine because we don't think as intelligently as they do. Autism isn't a disability, it's an ability for beyond our imagination. Some are creative, others are geniuses, and some have an innate ability to read feelings and measure a persons worth. Truly amazed by the people in my life! I have the best job in the world!

Shelly lackey
Glouster, OH