Stories of Hope

Never Underestimate Autisic Children

When my mom went to the doctors to get an ultra sounds, they told my mom that my twin sister was developing normally but they did not say the same for me. They told my mom that I would never be able to do anything by myself because my brain was not developing right and that I would always need someone there. The day that my sister and I were born, my sister cried but I did not make a noise. The doctors came in and told my mom that i would be a vegetable for my whole life. She did not believe them and told them that he will be normal. It wasn't till I was three years old when I was diagnosed with asperger's syndrome. Our family could not afford to take me for therapy or could afford medication. Over the years I slowly became higher functioning, or becoming like a "normal" child. I have always been one of those children who likes to prove people wrong. I found about my story when I was in middle school and ever since then, I have been proving the impossible, what the doctors told my mom years ago, that I would not be able to do anything. I am 20 years of age and i am a collegiate wrestler, an all state track thrower. and am going to college where i have met many people on my own and loving every minute of it. If I could give one word of advice to parents with an autistic child, its there is no such "normal" autistic children are like everyone else, we just have there own way of doing things. we might so tasks better then other people. Never doubt them and let them be who they are.

Josh Stokes
Linden, MI

An Asperger's Story

My 20-year-old son was first diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome when he was in the 6th grade. He had been given the ADHD label years earlier, but that didn't explain why he would only eat bland food and wear certain clothes, why strong odors and sounds drove him crazy, why the slightest injury would seem agonizingly painful. When frustrated, he would scream and crawl under tables. He had difficulty understanding humor, sarcasm, irony, and idioms--things children tend to learn by context as they grow. When he was evaluated, I was asked if he developed normally. Apart from learning to tie his shoes in 3rd grade and to ride a bike at the age of 10, he seemed fine, intelligent even.
The middle school years were the worst. Since he looked normal and talked normal, kids were cruel to him because he didn't act normal. A perceptive teacher took the time to talk to him and explain how the other children perceived his outbursts and they devised a system. If my son got frustrated, he would put his head down on his desk. This would be the cue to all his teachers that they were to leave him alone. After a couple of minutes of collecting himself, he could continue working.
High school was much better and his fascination with computers made it very easy to decide on a career. His computer teachers, when asked, were emphatic that this was where he would excel. He is now in his third year of college studying Computer Science. He still eats bland food, will still only wear certain clothes, and stays away from crowds, but he has his own YouTube channel recording and playing video games and has an international group of friends that make his life richer than I could have imagined.

Nancy
Fenton, MO

My son is so special...

Where do i begin, My son has always been in special needs school he was not walking till he was 2half, He always used to line is cars in a long row look at the washing machine going around scream none stop! I didnt know what was wrong he had all these professionals around him doctor at school as well.. They said [severe learning difficulties] I began to read up about Autism and everything i read was what my son was doing loud noises he did not like crowded places was to much for him..Any way i took him out of the school as they were lying about my sons work saying he done this and that and at home he could not even count, The new school raised the issue he might be Autistic seen the doctor App was for three hours. The doctor diagnosed Autism Spectrum [ end of spectrum] My son was 12years of age he had no teachh programme at the old school no visual at all.. I feel really failed with the education and everyone at the old school,,, Hes having the correct education now and now hes coming on with understanding our world. Im forever reading Autism to understand my sons world hes my life!! That was last year we are having some trouble with is puberty now and i didnt want him being scared whats happening to his body so ive asked for help at the school for visual for him not to feel alone and he can see with these picture thats what happens.. Always read up for your child with autism always take them for long walks, swimming, down the beach, much love x x x

CMayor
Cardiff, United Kingdom

Jesus's Special Children

My son was born in 2007, which was the greatest day of my life. Everything he did on schedule and was and still is very very smart. Then one day it seemed like he forgot everything that he knew. My mother in law informed me about autsim and I did not want to think that my child had some kid of "disorder." I thank god for her pushing me because when my son was 22 months old, it was confirmed that he was on the autistic spectrum. and he started recieving therapy. His "play partner" that came every day did wonders. My son is sooo smart just lacking communication skills and intereacting with others. I put him into preschool early and I can see a huge difference. His teachers really knew what they were doing and that is hard to find people that know how to deal with autistic children. I thank god for my child and for those who has helped him dramatically. My son now plays with other children, though he still can not talk much but he knows some basic words. No parent should never give up because their is therapy out there that can help your child in ways you could not believe. DO NOT let these kids FOOL YOU!!! because they do know what you are saying and they do know what is going on around them. The are very bright and very sweet, they are no different then any other child, they just learn and act a little differently. They are Jesus's special children.

Tara
Wilmington, OH

I Care.

As far back as I can remember, I grew up around my cousin, Billy. Mom had to work, so my loving aunt babysat me. So Billy became my play buddy, being only a few years younger than I. Of course, I did notice he was different; noticed that he had his quirks. But it made no difference to me. I was a child looking for a friend, and despite what others think, Billy was one of the best friends you could have. And it wasn't until I was a little older that I began to understand Billy's "disorder."

I remember some kids making fun of him, at which I would get extremely angry. Why couldn't they understand? It's not his fault! Other kids would simply ask what was wrong with him. I found it difficult to explain exactly what autism was. So, a couple of years back, my seventh grade year, I hung posters around the school in April for autism awareness month, with facts and statistics about autism. It wasn't much, but it caught peoples' attention, and I was happy to see more people understanding and caring.

But this past year, someone wrote "Nobody cares!" on one of my posters. It discouraged me a bit, but more so drove me to try harder. I will be entering high school this year and have made Student Council. I plan to use my spot in StuCo to do even more for autism. I want more people to understand how autism affects so many peoples' lives, and because of the effect Billy has had on me, I want to make an impact in his life and others like him's lives; I want to make a change for the better, because I DO care.

Taylor
Dallas, TX

My little Man

Our son is a very loving and delightful 8 yr old boy. We have know from birth that he was on the ASD. He has only been diagnosed in the past year and how that year has made a big diffrence in his life. Because of the services and education we have recieved he has made the most progress in the last 6 months.His verbal ability has increased, his social skill have picked up and even though we still have outbursts they a very short lived.On some level he has even tought hisself to self sooth.This progress has taken everyone getting involved in phrasing thing in the right way to him, doing daily therapy sessions and alot of patients. I do know for anyone with a child on the ASD, any progress is good progress even if it is small.

Julie Tackett
Belle, MO

Thank you!

I just want to say that it is nice to see the added Autism tab! I work in the field of Autism and I see its devastating effects. I also see hope with advances in early identification.
Please take an extra second to "click" on the Autism link.

Renee
Sherman Oaks, CA

What a Guy!

He came into our family as a toddler and although we knew "something was amiss" we really didn't know what as not much was known about autism then. He could not talk and also had some physical problems. After many years of every type of therapy Mom (an angel) could think of to help him, he began to flourish. This was long before any new modalities were discovered,
and after many years, we now know he has Aspergers spectrum autism.

Mom has passed on now, and he's in his 50's. He lives as independently as possible with "earth angels" helping out. He works, goes on vacation with us, and has participated in the Special Olympics.

He recently fought a successful battle with a deadly disease.

Despite everything, he is intelligent, cheerful, gentle, helpful, as communicative as Aspergers will allow, and leads a happy life.

Anonymous
anytown, DC

My million dollar smile

My son was born on a stormy day in 1995. He has an older brother who currently attends a prestigious university and a younger sister in high school who excels both academically and socially. All three children are close, but it hasn't always been easy. Academic success for Ryan required persistent effort and still does. He lacks organizational skills and social cues are often missed. Yet he shines in his own beautiful way and is loved by all who have taken the time to know him. Ryan has taught me, my family, and others, what unconditional love is and what it means to be truly present in the given moment. He takes pleasure in simple things, asks little to nothing, and gives all he has and then some. In spite of lagging behind his peers in society's eyes, Ryan has taught us all what the payoff of hard work is and how important it is to never give up, even in the face of failure. You would know this if you were to meet Ryan, by looking into his bright blue eyes and sharing his million dollar smile. Nineteen years later, through joy and tears, he has successfully completed his first year in college, is an accomplished Japanese Taiko drummer, a member of Alpha Gamma Sigma Honor Society, and active in church and community activities. Long ago, it was so hard for me to figure out his place, especially regarding his education (being an educator myself). But the day that I gave it all to God and accepted Ryan for the beautiful, loving spirit that he is, changed me and our journey together. For this, I am so grateful for my special son. He is a blessing to all who know him, and especially to me. I love you, Ryan!

Jane
Aptos, CA

The value of a soul (excerpt)

Here is an excerpt from a story we'd like to share with you from The Child Health Site's "What My Child with Autism has Taught Me" contest. This is just one of the many stories that inspired us. Please share your own!

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I have three children, all of whom I love deeply, fully, unconditionally. Tom has Asperger's Syndrome, and over the past 20 years I have walked beside him as he has picked his way through the thickets of life, so often not understanding what is expected, what needs to be done, why he is expected to act in a certain way. I have suffered for him and with him when eyebrows have been lifted, backs turned, and well-meaning advice given. But I have watched Tom scatter joy as his whole body responds to music or television, as his eyes light when he pats a cat or talks about space, as he quietly places a hand on a tense shoulder. And he has taught me that the value of a soul is not measured by how much money it can earn, how well it can act in a crowd, whether it enjoys what everyone else does. A soul is precious for what it is; and Tom is Tom entire, all his quirks and eccentricities, just like any other soul. He has taught me acceptance.

Anonymous
Anywhere, DC