My daughter Abagail was diagnosed with Autism at 2 and a half years old she started therapy about two weeks later after that I have seen so many changes with her she still has no speech but she plays with toys properly and comes up to people and other kids now. I wouldn't change her for nothing except the speech but she is the most loving child.
I have autism, I am a musician, I am a artist, I can read/write... even graduated high school with a diploma *non modified* and I have not let the stereotypes of judgmental people bring me down. To all the people who have autistic children or know someone with autism... you are their life, you are their hope, and you are their guide... they LOVE every one of you! I find it hard in this world especially with the lack of love. We are all family. I am very lucky to have parents who have stuck with me this entire time. Albeit twenty three short years I have learned a lot. The key I will tell you now, stick with them through bad and good... patience is key. It might not sound very complex... because it isn't. TC
On march 9, 2000, my little brother was born in sioux city, iowa. He was a cute baby. As he grew up, doctors told my mom he has adhd, and mentally handicapped. It wasn't until a couple years ago the doctors told my mom that my little brother has auspergers (pardon my misspelling). Auspergers is a form of autism. I went into foster care because of home problems and I used to visit him at my mom's house. Now she says I can't see him anymore. So a couple days after my 19th birthday I got a puzzle piece tattoo with his favorite color and his name inside. Today is his 13th birthday and I can't even see him. That's my story on my younger brother with autism.
Our Story starts out like many others. Our little angel Katelyn failed to respond to name. She had very few words and they were not directed toward anyone. On her 2nd birthday she was diagnosed with Autism. We started therapy about 2 weeks after that. She was in Occupational/Speech, and Direct Floor Play. They helped her with potty training and with social areas. She still lacked speech. On her 3rd birthday she started ABA therapy and the changes have been amazing. She knows body parts, and is starting to make her needs known. My advice to parents is never give up and fight for what your child needs. You are their best advocate. Each day is difficult, but when you see the changes it is worth it.
Before his National and Regional USTA Rankings he was known as a boy who
would have to live in an assisted living home. Whether Ben wins or looses,
he is always smiling at the end of each match because he has broken the
“Autism Mold”. Ben became one of the top Men’s Open Singles Players in the
Missouri Valley Region.
He was ranked number one in Men’s Open Singles Standing List in the five-state USTA Missouri Valley Region and was Nationally ranked n the top 100 tennis players in the US. Ben studied the moves of the pros and learned to play tennis by watching video tapes of the US Open since none of his family played tennis.
Benjamin Talako Williamson, a Native American Indian born with Autism, defied the odds when he graduated from Bethany High School and where he was the only tennis player on their team, took Bethany to the State High School Championships. December, 2006, Benjamin was honored by the United States Tennis Association Five State Missouri Valley Section (Iowa, Nebraska, Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma) as the Adult Player of the Year. Ben was also honored two years as the Oklahoma Adult Player of the year.
Ben’s grandmother explained, “Tennis has given him confidence and
self-esteem.” He now not only plays for himself, but for Babolat Racquets, who have recognized his talent with sponsorship.
None of Ben’s family played tennis or even new about the sport. Ben studied the pros from tapes that his dad would record of the professional matches on television.
His Grandmother, Freda Williamson remembers sitting for hours at the local
park while he would hit a tennis ball alone with an “old Wal-Mart racquet”
in to a practice backboard. Ben has since moved on, playing in several
National USTA Adult Open tournaments
On July 31st, I gave birth to perfection; What little did I know, I was unsure just how perfect the bundle in my arms was.
When Ryan was 9 months old, his development began to change. When I discovered he could have autism, at first, my world began to shatter right from underneath me. I wasn't going to face terrible twos, horrible threes, or watch him make little friends. I was sure my world was going to end.
When I looked at my son's angelic face while sleeping, I thought of the blessings and the possibilities that came with him and a whole new world developed. He is the most easygoing child I have ever met and rarely has tantrums (and when he does, they last less than 5 seconds.) Horrible threes do not exist with him. When he's quiet, it does not mean he's into something. He is independant and "does his own thing". He loves to sing and dance with mommy, play with his Kindle Fire (which has helped him TREMENDOUSLY in his development), and "talk", though he does not communicate (He can say words, but he can't hold a conversation with you, or tell you he's hungry or thirsty, for example.) But in trade of his amazing personality, it's a struggle with his eating habits; he only eats crunchy finger food, and will not eat food out of a spoon or fork.
He has his appointment in one of the best hospitals in our state, and we will know for sure how severe he is, and we are going to get him into the eating clinic and also a touch of speech therapy. One thing is for certain: I gave birth to the perfect child.
MY NAME IS MARIA I HAD MY ANGEL WHEN I WAS 22.HE WAS BEAUTIFUL I CHERISHED HIS EVERY MOVE WITH ALL MY HEART HE WAS A NORMAL BABY SO I THOUGHT I HAD 2 KIDS ALREADY AND REALLY DIDNT NOTICE ANYTHING DIFFERENT UNTILL HE STARTED GETTING A LITTLE OLDER NOTICE HE WAS DISTANT FROM EVERYONE DIDNT LIKE PLAYING WITH HIS SIBLINGS DIDNT EAT FOOD LIKE WE DID WOULD GAG AND SPIT FOODS OUT THAT WERE WET OR MUSHY. HIS COMMUNICATION WIT US WAS HARD DIDNT KNOW WAT HE WANTED AND WOULD THROUGH HORRIBLE TANTRUMS THAT NOW I CALL MELTDOWNS. WE FINALLY GOT HIM TESTED AND HE WAS DIAGNoSED WITH AUTISM AND SPEECH IMPAIRMENT . AT FIRST I WAS SCARED I HAD NEVER HEARD OF THIS IN MY LIFE AND MORE SCARED THAT ITS NOT KNOWN WHAT CAUSES IT.HE STARTED SCHOOL WHEN HE WAS 3 HE'S 11 NOW AND IT HASN'T BEEN EASY AND SOMETIMES I CRY MY SELF TO SLEEP BUT HE'S MY ANGEL I HAVE FAITH THAT ONE DAY HE WILL TALK AND WE WILL HOLD LONG CONVERSATIONS WITH EACH OTHER HE'S LEARNED ALOT FROM ALL HIS WONDERFUL TEACHERS AND SPEECH THERAPIST . I LOVE U CHRISTIAN.
My Puzzle Piece
My unique
One of a kind
No rain all shine
My Puzzle Piece
My bundle of resistance
My soldier of persistence
My reason for existence
My Puzzle Piece
They don't understand our bond
Can't see our connection
But how can they?
When all they do...
Is use perfectly fine eyes
To blindly categorize you
My Puzzle Piece
That knows no hate
And shows unconditional love
Who's mind is so pure
Too bright for this darkness
My Puzzle Piece
You're just a child
My child
All that I need
If you are the piece
Then I am the puzzle
Because you complete me
MY PUZZLE PIECE
Written By: Jeremy Cotto to his son Justice Cotto
I wanted to share this poem my son wrote to my 4yr old grandson. Everyday, is a challenge but also a blessing. For each word he learns and expresses are music to our ears. We have hope and pray for all those who don't comprehend how pure, intelligent and beautiful these children are. I wouldn't change a thing about him. In our eyes he is our educator; our blessing.
Johnathan started school through early intervention when he was 3 yrs old. He could not talk would use garbled yelling, he hid under the table and would hit kick scream at anyone who would look at him he also wore diapers. The school told me he was the most severe case they had seen. By the time he was ready to start elementary school he was starting to use full sentences and was coming out of his own lil world. He won the most improved student in the school district award and was proud of himself.. He tries to make it a point to make eye contact when he speaks to people and no longer hits himself in the head when he is frustrated. He had a bad meltdown 2 yrs ago on christmas day screaming he hated himself and wished he had a different brain all I could do was hold him and tell him I wish I could swap mine for yours. He cried I couldn't do that to you mom it sucks and you are the best mom in the world, all I could do was cry with him. When the school shooting happened in 2012 and he found out the boy had autism he flipped out yelling that's just great now people are going to think I will do that its hard enough dealing with autism. He is now 7yrs old and in second grade he is top of his class in math and is presently working on making new friends. He recently told me he wants to start being active in autism walks and participate in the special olympics. Johnathan has had a few regressions but he is determined to be the best he can be and that's what makes him my ULTIMATE HERO!!!!
The day my daughter was born was the happiest of my life. I held her in our first few minutes alone and promised her my everything. I had visions of princesses and ponies but ours was not to be that kind of fairytale. She was a happy baby/toddler and very loving. Her eye contact was minimal and her behavior was odd but being my first I thought nothing of her preference for lining up colorful spoons to any meaningful play. Around 2 when she still wasn't speaking I had her evaluated. Again and again. I was told she'll grow out of it, she makes eye conatact and is loving so it can't be autism. But I knew at that point even if no one else saw it. I finally had her evaluated at 3 through our local Head Start program and finally got the answer. Autism. A label is a blessing and a curse. An answer that raised more questions, but a foot in the door for the help she needed. In preschool they tried to tell me she may be mentally retarded as they couldn't get her to participate enough to test her. I ignored them I knew better. Now at almost 10 my little girl isn't so little and she's no princess. Animals of all kinds dominate our home and the only tea parties are attended by elephants. She's very intelligent and won't stop talking! Her behavior and social skills are works in progress but every step she's a fighter. Who needs a princess?
