I am a mother of 2 children with autism. My oldest Kevin was diagnosed with autism when he was almost 4. As a baby he had very minimal speech, walked and crawled late. We began early intervention at age 4 when we noticed that his lack of speech became worse. I remember it was Valentine's Day and I said goodbye to him and he said "I love you" everyone including myself shed a tear. These amazing teachers more like angels gave me and my husband new hope. Now he is age 5 and he is talking more using sentences and telling me how he feels or what he likes and does not. He loves to build amazing train tracks, play outside in the dirt, loves playing with cars and tractors.
My son Elijah is 3 about to be 4. He was diagnosed with severe autism at the age of 2 1/2. We had noticed that he did a lot of hand flapping, jumping, yelling, covering his ears in uncomfortable situations. We noticed when we went to the orientation for my oldest son that there was a boy who did the same actions as my son Elijah. We put him through early intervention as well. He is slowly progressing he's starting to talk a little bit more. The way he looks at the world and little things is amazing. He loves to draw, make animal noises, he loves to laugh.
My boys mean the world to me. Yes sometimes it is challenging with the tantrums and having hard times in public when they are uncomfortable. They uplift me with their innocence for life. Seeing them smile makes me feel good each day or even a hug or kiss. Makes everything all worth it. Don't give up hope when it seems tough.
Victorville, CA
