Stories of Hope

Our Journey with Myles

Our son Myles, is amazing and when i watch him smile now at age 9, all the hurdles seem like they happened a million years ago. He was diagnosed at two years old with Moderate Autism, which had come as sort of a relief to me. Being a stay at home mom and seeing red flags that no one else was seeing, i thought i was going crazy. But when the words came from the panel of doctors "Your son has autism", i began to cry in relief that now we could help him. No one prepares you for the journey that is Autism. No two children are the same, though they may share similar qualities. We went through everything it seemed like,being non-verbal, lining things up, echoing, elopement, etc. It all seemed so repetitive, every day a different therapy over and over again. Until the first time he made eye contact with me briefly and said "I love you mama". That moment was as precious to me as the moment i had given birth to him.
Now, years after it all began, after years of intensive therapies and battles he is doing so well. In the back of my mind i always fear the what if's but i take it day by day and love every little moment. He is in the 3rd grade now and has been mainstreamed since kindergarten. We have our moments where the struggle is long and sometimes we get defeated by life, but having a child with autism is something that has taught me how to love, to live, to thrive in difficult times. He is my inspiration!

Stefanie York
Lake Elsinore, CA

Hope for Chanci comes with big brown eyes and 4 legs

Life as we knew it changed 6 years ago. Little did we all know that it would be for the better. I had raised 2 older daughters who were every parents dream,despite the odds they faced from a dysfunctional home. My first,22 graduated from NYU with Honors and the 2nd is a junior @ UVM on her way to graduating with honors. My 3rd is 9 and Autistic, with extreme behavior issues.I was a single parent &worked 3 jobs, and just met a fantastic guy when I got her diagnosis. I thought he would run like a criminal but instead asked to marry "US". We spent uncountable hours searching for answers, help, or perhaps someone or something to save us. Chanci didn't talk until she was 4 and was a "Bolter",there were many "public" tantrums due to her frustration of not being able to say what she wants,never mind the numerous times that I had stores"locked-down" because my child was"missing". Not to mention the time the NY state police pulled me over 1 mile away from the McDonalds I just left with my daughter in a full blown tantrum(someone reported an abduction). I searched for a way to make our life better and safer and when I thought parents of Autism have no hope, I found our hope. Hope came to us with BIG brown eyes, a wet nose, and 4 legs! I found Heeling Autism, a service dog program offered by Guiding Eyes for the Blind in Yorktown Heights, NY. We were given our gift of hope and Chanci's BFF 2 years ago. Our lives are forever changed and blessed. We shop everywhere and everyone knows us. Chanci communicates freely now and explains why she needs her service dog, to keep her safe because of her "Boo Boo", Autism.

laura
peekskill, NY

My jordan

I never thought that i would have a wounderful son like Jordan. Just as many storys start, my son was doing every thing on time like he was suppose to then one day before i knew it he had stopped talking and was not thriving like he should and thanks to my mom sandy and a few specialist later i was told my son was autistic/ ADHD.The news broke my heart but like most mothers i pulled up the boot straps and said it will all be ok . As jordan got older the harder things has become. We have tried so many meds to help with the ADHD and the sleepless nights. finally found the rite med combination to help him sleep, . Now we have been working on the behavier, he can be very violent at times, to the point my family and friends were scared he would do something to me one day . trust me i have searched and searched for the answers how do i help my son. . I just dont know what to do . Jordan is one of the most polite loving child he does not know a stranger he makesme laugh when we go to the store he will wave his hand at the women in the store and say hello ladys how are you and just walk up to them and hug them . He loves everybody , but then when he gets mad he GETS MAD. all i want is for him to be happy and enjoy life. He whines about every thing unless it is something he wants to do. And he is so smart does gd in school , when his behavier does not get in the way.plz help if u have sugg.

Amy
Harrisburg, AR

My LOVE

Hello, I am a loving mother of a three year old boy who has Autism. He was diagnosed at two. I have learned so Much from him and he definantly made me a stronger person. he is a vary intelligent child but sometimes just dont know how to show it. So many simple little things can make him have a (meltdown). Just simple like i didnt put enough goldfish snacks in his bowl, or didnt cover him up right before bedtime. and so many other little things. he is vary specific on what he wants. the hard thing is he will be four in june and still is non-verbal. he does say a few things such as Mama, Dada, Gamma, And Stop! (lol) my dream is to have him tell me he loves me. I would just love to hear it atleast once! also i wanted to point out that all people should get a little knowledge on autism. its hard goin to the store and we go down a wrong isle and my boy has a (meltdown) ppl look at u like ur a crap mother and lets the child get away with everything. If only people REALLY knew. its so sad. theres many times i tell my mother i need to open a separate bank account called (bail me outta jail) lol because i just want to deck some people when they label my child as a BRAT! These children who have autism did not ask to be born with a disabiliy........... I am going to whatever i can to Help my child reach his goals. AND I WILL.

sarah
warren, MI

brisons story

brison will b 3years old april 3,2012.since he was younger than a year old,we knew somthing wasnt exactly right with him.he was a quiet baby,he started crawling at 9 months,he walked the day after he turned 1. wen he was about 11 months old he would always do these little jerky motions with his hands,arms,hands nd head,so we took him to the doctor bc we thought it could of been seizures,and after a stay n the hospital and a take home eeg test,the doctors said he wasnt having seizures.but he kept doing the motions.so being 1,the only words he could say is da-da,nd pongebob (spongebob).wen he was about 14 months old,my mom (his nana),being a web md junkie,had came across some autism articles,nd got some books from the library on autism,nd i read them,and he had alot of similar symptoms as wat they were saying kids with autism had,so i tryed to get him n with a bunch of different doctors,and no body would help me out,until i went to the help me grow program,they did some test on him,for motor skills,development skills,and speech.and he had delays n all of them,then they did some referals to different doctors n those different catagories,and they did test on him,and they all said he was most likely autistic but they couldnt give me a deff answer.so i finnally just got him n to the developmental clinic at dayton childrens,after 4 months of waiting to get him n there,and they just gave us his diagnoses of being autistic on feb 16,2012.now brison is going to therapy,and will start pre-school soon.he has taught me how to laugh more,and cry less.he always puts a smile on anyones face.he is my perfect angel.together we can change the world.

brittany
gettysburg, OH

Charlie, our Christmas baby

This is Charlie, aged 3 years and 2 months. He was born on December 25th 2008, the best gift you could ever ask for. Charlie has been diagnosed with PDD and has a clinical age of 18 months.

Charlie is such a beautiful little boy. He loves to wear bright clothing and has an excellent memory. He has taught himself to count to 30 forwards and backward. If i write a number he can tell me what that number is. He has also taught himself the full alphabet, colours and many shapes from square to hexagon.

Charlie requires 24/7 supervision. He will not leave his mothers side for any period of time and has his bed next to ours. He does not eat well but loves bread. Charlie likes to line his toys across the length of the living room and spends a lot of time flapping his hands around his head. He also spends many hours of the day watching wheels spin round on his toy cars.

As you will see from the photo, Charlie has long hair, he will not allow anyone to cut his hair, we have to try and trim when he is asleep. He has a bad temper and frequently throws his toys and breaks them. He is obsessed with electronic equipment such as phones, ipads and laptops. Charlie does not like to cuddle or kiss, but when he does cuddle you understand how much he loves you.

Charlie e is our perfect little angel and happy in the way he perceives the world. As long as he is a healthy happy little boy I will sleep well at night.

Love you my angel xx

Anonymous
Yorkshire, United Kingdom

Amazing Billy

My son Billy was diagnosed with Autism at age 3. Since his diagnosis we have been active in speech, OT, and ABA. He now communicates his needs, dresses himself, plays with his sister, and has a smile which will melt your heart. He is now almost 5 and in his short 5 short years has managed to teach me more about life and the will to keep going through any challenge then any teacher, mentor, or peer I have met. We are on this journey together, but I have no doubt that he is leading the way to a very successful outcome!

Kari
Monterey, CA

Once Apon An Autism (A Poem) by Heather Marie Murguia

Once upon an autism, there was a boy who could draw
He could draw almost everything, anything he saw!
So talented and gifted, so many people spirits he lifted!
But to others he was a curse!
When they saw him at his worse.
Those people didn't understand autism.
And probably never will.
Those people insult others just for the thrill.
People like that are quick to judge, so full of hatred and criticism.
Only his mother knew all the big things he'd grow up to do
Because Josiah was her little Messiah, and in him she had so much Love hope and faith.
A love so deep and strong nothing in this world could replace.
So to her heart she stayed true, and didn't listen to all the comments people threw.
On how to raise a child with autism, such hipocritisism
All she saw were those beautiful eyes so very big and blue
So to anyone that didn't believe in her son she said "FORGET YOU!"
You'll never do half the wonderful things he'll growup and do!
On this earth your a waste of space!
So why don't you do us all a favor and remove yourself from this place!"
Because people didn't know what a true blessing was her child
They didn't know his autism was only mild
He'd soon overcome it.
They'd say "he'll always be a misfit!"
She didn't believe it, not one bit!
Not one bit of what she heard
Though others would say she was absurd
She tried her hardest not to listen to what she heard.
And with Love and patience and the GREAT LORD up above
She overcame all the obstacles, and lived the life they always dreamed of.

For my baby Josiah, Don't let the world get you down! My Love.

Heather Murguia
Visalia, CA

anthony tackles autism

my son Anthony was diagnosed at the age of 2 ! I had early intervention he was missing all his milestone wouldn't talk didn't want to be held he wanted to play by himself, lined all his stuff up ,preferred just a few things.i took him to his pedi and luckily his pedi wife was a developmental specialist she did some testing and then the day i was dreading but looking forward to at the same time came ,she said ms iraci i am sorry to have to tell you your son has autism i broke down and cried and still cry to this day sometimes. but right then i knew i was going to fight as hard as i could for him! they told he may never speak well i can tell you he proved them all wrong! he started intensive therapy immediately we had building blocks, ABA, early intervention,OT, pt,he had everyone and slowly my son came out of his shell it was amazing he went into special ed preschool then to a normal kindergarten with a para professional at the age of 5 he learned to speak. he is now in 4 Th grade no para just an iep ! he gets all the help in the world! still get speech ,ot,social group things like that, yes i had to fight the school system but i didn't care he is the most loving caring amazing boy who has grades of a 6 th grader i am so proud how far he has come unless you spend a lot of time with you wouldn't even know he has autism! he has done football and is now is special Olympics bowling ! he is the most amazing boy and fighter in the world he is a true success story!

candace iraci-finn
woburn, MA

who ?...me?

I always knew in the core of my gut that something was going to be very different.I already had accepted it.I had already vebalized it.I had talked about my concerns.I received many different responses.He's a boy..he will settle down,why do you think somethings different?there is no evidence of what you are describing,maybe you are having postpartum,maybe you need a break more often,maybe you style of parenting isn't working,maybe it's because you are not bonding,maybe it's because you are not attatching,maybe you need to work on social skills,maybe he needs more discipline...
Then the school system.He wont listen,settle down,play appropriately,laughs inappropriately,wild,refuses to do the work,doesnt understand the work,doesnt apologize,incomplete assignments.
In grade 4 I chose to home school my son.For one year we soley worked on "being us" with no expectations.Just learning to love this unusual gift.I saw it..why couldn't others?
I moved my son to a private school.The expectations were too high.The demands unreasonable.The homework too much.He wasn't conforming,and neither was I.The tears,the fights,the battles, miscommunication, the prayers for our beloved thread of sanity.Why?Stop thinking.Stop doing.Just be.
Be the advocate. Strengths,joy,love,patience,kindness,gentleness.Through the eyes of these things as your screen,others will start to view things through your screen.Blog it,post it,share it,celebrate it,talk about it.This is your gift,and sometimes,just sometimes ..the giving is better than receiving.

Tawnya Kalt Lambe
Vanderhoof, Canada