Stories of Hope

Having autism in your life is a different texture than you are used to, but that does not mean it is bad. Just different.

When Tyler was four years old, he was diagnosed with High-Functioning, Mild Autism. We could tell early on that he was not hitting his developmental milestones. He only eats certain foods, he never started talking, he would spin cars or line them up instead of rolling them. He loves to smile, laugh, and is a real thrill-seeker. But too much excitement, a change in process, or an exposure to the wrong texture or sensation can send him spirally downward very fast. As a mother, the emotional meltdowns are very hard for me. It damages me on the inside when Tyler is struggling through one of these. That is why I fought so hard to get him into therapy and diagnosed. Even though most people would look at Tyler and think he is a normal boy, what they are not seeing is everything else that is a big part of him. The part of him that is screaming for release the moment we are alone.
He isn't sure what to make of the other children at the playgrounds and he didn't talk until we were able to get him into regular speech therapy sessions, but for some reason the other kids gravitate towards him. Maybe they can see the pure joy on his face when he is scaling a rock wall or when he is zooming down a slide. I can talk to Tyler and know that he understands so much of what I am telling him. He delights in his little brother's successes.
I have struggled and fought for Tyler until I literally had nothing left, and then had to get up the next day and do it all over again. But finally receiving Tyler's diagnosis and taking steps towards advocating for autism awareness is providing me with healing. I still have very few answers and a lot of fears, but Tyler wants to laugh and be a little boy. Don't let this take your laugh. Having autism in your life is a different texture than you are used to, but that does not mean it is bad. Just different.

Rachel Flinchum
Jacksonville, AR

Trason

My son, Trason, was born 8 yrs ago. The 1st 2 days he was happy & healthy. The 3rd day, a few hours prior to being discharged, he had begun screaming non stop & projectile vomiting. The dozens of hospital trips I took that 1st year, only led to more colic & milk intolerance diagnoses. Nothing anyone ever did helped. At 9 months old, he started walking & stopped making eye contact. At 15 months old, he stopped eating 90% of his previous foods & lost the few words he had. At 20 months old, his daycare referred him to 1st Steps Early Intervention Program, where he got his 1st IEP. He immediately began OT, Speech, Behavior & Special Instruction.

October 2007(3 yrs old) He was seen by a team of developmental pediatricians & Autism specialists at Children's Mercy Hospital. Diagnoses: Autism, Impulse Control Disorder & Disruptive Behavior Disorder. Over the next 4 years, they would try many different meds & combinations. He was suspended from Kindergarten almost 10 times, for his outbursts, sleeping, streaking, kicking over shelves & desks,etc.

We moved to a better school district & I weaned him off of all medications. During his 2nd yr of 1st grade(7 yrs old) he eloped & was missing for 30 minutes. I hired an advocate, removed him from the school, & he has been homeschooled for 4 months now. I began changing his diet, started using non drug treatments & got him into Theraputic Riding. He no longer qualifies for feedings in OT & his behavior has improved drastically. His reasoning, problem solving & communication have improved so much, we sometimes forget he has 5+ neurological diagnoses.

His level of functionality is so much more than what we ever thought possible. I have always held Trason to very high expectations & in junction, myself & his therapists were always there to redirect him in every step he took in life. My motivation was my fears. I didn't want him to fall through the cracks. Never give up, & Never give in.

Anonymous
Liberty, MO

Heart

I have a Son with Austim, he is 15 years old his name is Jeremy. He has seizures, but by God's grace he comes through them. He is very loving and friendly. He loves to eat, listen to music and go for rides. His condition is not easy on our family, but we by God's grace we're dealing with it. We have a very good support group. He does not talk at all, but he tries to say a word or two. He is known and loved by many people. Very handsome little guy. We love him very much. He is the youngest of four children and he has a niece and nephew and they all love him dearly.

Roxanna Bledsoe
Waco, TX

Lego Models

I used to work at an Autistic Day Centre, quite a lot. I discovered, one student i had been assigned to work with & support, liked playing with Lego, but mostly putting the bricks in the box & then tipping them out again. I started making various models, structures.buildings, cars etc, which he would take apart. One day i made a plane, after hearing one flying overhead, he picked it up & clutched it in his arms, taking it apart slowly. After making a sea plane, i asked him what he would like me to make next, he said "Helicopter".

I then started making animals, butterflies, giraffes, camels, when i made an elephant & had taken various pics of it, at different angles, i waited for him to take it apart, which took him about an hour & a half. Whenever i checked, to see what he was doing in his room, he was still watching a dvd, but he kept moving the elephant into different positions, just like i had been doing.

There was also a day, when the centre was due to be closed, for maintenance. His mum asked me if i could pick him up at home & take him out for a few hours, in the community, which i agreed to do. Whenever i arrived, his mum told him to get ready, because i was taking him out, he came up to me & kissed me on the cheek. Later, when we arrived back home, his mum told him to say "Thank You", he again came up to me, took hold of my hand & gave me a kiss, on the hand.

William Gregory
chatham, United Kingdom

My Miracles

At 19 years old on a cold December Day I gave birth to a tiny 6lb8oz angel. We named him Travis.We loved him so much. He had a few Quirks but he was happy and healthy. 2years and a few months later we welcomed Austin into our lives. Boy was he a big baby,but we had our two boys like we always wanted. As Austin grew we noticed he was delayed so we called early intervention they came out evaluated Austin and a few weeks later told us we should have him checked for Autism. They also told us that we should have Travis checked too. We got the news we were dreading.....our boys had Autism. AUTISM! Travis had Aspergers,he was "high Functioning."
What's that,what do we do? Where do we go? We saw a Neurologist and he confirmed it......I'm only 23 I can't handle this as I burst into tears Dr. X told me I just want you to be aware that Austin will not talk he will not be affectionate he won't say I love you and he will most likely never make friends. Here's some info...now you can go. Our family was devastated,some in denial and I became depressed. I got Austin into school..... Then we met our Angel...Rene Rego the best special Ed teacher in the history of teachers. Austin started saying words actual words in the right context!!! Please, I want I need and best of all Mommy we're all in his vocabulary! Although we have had many meltdowns, many Dr visits and many sleepless nights my biggest reward came on November 6 2006 when Austin came home from school looked me dead in the eyes and said Mommy I love you...I want Turkey! Right then I knew everything would be ok...just have HOPE!! Ilytravisandaustin.

Stacy
Westport, MA

My Angle

I always knew my oldest was different but for the longest time I never knew he was so different from the rest of the people around him. He has always kept to himself and shied away from large gatherings. He would even have trouble with class situations.He would not eat certain food because the textures did not feel right, carrots made him gag it was so bad. Strong smells. Fixations on one thing like a video game or a cartoon, would be his obsession. But he learned to cope and graduated, only to be arrested for his compulsions a month later. He was sentenced to 15 years behind bars. It was at this time we found out he has Aspergers Syndrome. Like I said before I knew he was different but I never realized just how different. I have been amazed at the number of people who are like him and behind bars. He is also the 4th person there with a high school diploma in his cell group. To many times this compulsion would drive him to do things I did not understand and now we as a family are paying the price. I am not ashamed of my son, but his actions. I am more upset with the justice system for knowing this man has a problem and putting him in a place where he will not get any help or guidance. All of his life I sheltered him, trying to protect him. I guess this is the price I have to pay now.

Anonymous
Kountze, TX

A Love Like No Other

When my son was little I sacrificed everything within me to "fix" him. The blow of an Autism diagnosis was unacceptable. I cried, I researched, I called, I begged, I
did whatever I could within mypower to take this foreign entity away. I spent so much time trying to "fix" my son, running trials, trying different meds and setting up schedules that I was exhausted! One day it hit me out of nowhere who is he? I have never really taken the time to really get to know my child. From that day forward I started looking at Autism not as an invader, but part of who my son was. Just maybe if I would take the time to get to know him I would learn something. Oh boy, did I learn! Just to name a few I learned humility, compassion, patience and most importantly unconditional love. What a Great feeling! In Jan my son will be 21 years old. There have been some really tough times, hospitalizations, crisis situations, surgeries, chronic illnesses, severe aggression but through all the tears and frustration his unconditional love has been such a treasured gift. It is a gift I am priviledged to receive and hold dear to my heart. I'm glad I have gotten to know my son and I realize now he never needed to be fixed. All he ever needed is what we all desire in life, to be loved.

Anonymous
Asheboro, NC

Hard life but strong will

Grew up in an abusive home. Horrible time at school. But never gave up and kept myself strong. Went to the military but was hurt. Wrote a book. Found some friends. Now trying to live my life with more problems than I care for. But wouldn't change a thing about me.

Drew J Heller
Fort Wayne, IN

Knotts Berry Farm

Father's Day 2013, my Son Dylan and I went to knott's Berry farm. He is high in the spectrum and has a very difficult time communicating with his words. I was going through a difficult time in my life then. He showed such affection towards me. Every opportunity that he had he put his arm around me and said "Daddy". He reminded me of what unconditional love is and helped to restore some love and peace in my heart! My gentle giant!
I love you Dylan more than you know! Thanks for the best Father's Day ever!!
Just because people are different doesn't mean that they do not carry the qualities in which us as humans need. The qualities that could bring us all together. My Son taught me that day!
I love you buddy!!
Your Dad,

Michael McDuffee
North Hollywood, CA

Life is music.

My daughter is 6 yrs old and has autism. She was diagnosed at age 4 yrs. It took her a while longer than most children to learn walking and talking. She has done okay in school, but as everyone always notices, singing and music is a big motivator. She will try hard to match the pitch of all and every note in music and songs. Most songs she learns after listening only twice. She tends to memorize words and meanings if put into a song. She also follows directions better if they are sung to her, such as singing for her to wash her hands or brush her teeth. She is a very bubbly and happy child, and usually brings a smile to my face especially when she is singing. Her voice is very low and soft, which makes her sound so precious singing. Teachers at school say she is a blessing and loved having her in class.

Amanda Faglie
Waverly, TN