Stories of Hope

Share your inspiring, hopeful story of how autism touched you.

Joshua's Journey

Joshua's Journey

Joshua was born a healthy boy. He was an unusually quiet baby, which made the nurses rave over him. He didn't even cry when they did the routine PKU heel stick that is performed on newborns. I immediately began breast feeding him, and he was off to a great start. 
After taking him home from the hospital, I became concerned because he did not nap or sleep on a normal schedule. As months passed something seemed amiss, but visits to the pediatrician warranted no concerns. Joshua became obsessed with specific toys. He wanted to jump in his jumparoo for hours and cried inconsolably when he had to stop. He was easily upset, liked to spin in circles and flapped his arms almost constantly. He plugged his ears to loud noises and did not tolerate diet changes well.
At 20 months he would not point or wave and did not speak any words. He was referred to a behavioral pediatrician who diagnosed him with severe autism. We immediately began speech and occupational therapies. Joshua is now four years old and remains non verbal but is making progress. We are not concentrating on the length of this journey. We are simply walking it one step at a time. 

Reaching for a Star
I hear my mom say "You're reaching for a star."
I look up and see stars are very far away.
How will I ever stretch that high?
Will I really be that big someday?
Mom says we all have a star to reach.
She says "It's a dream, a goal to fulfill.
I know you don't really understand right now,
But I'll help you and then someday you will."
I understand reaching for a star would be a struggle,
Because they are so very very high.
But I know my mom would catch me if I fall.
So I should not be afraid to try.
Someday I'll stretch my arms and jump as high as I can.
I'll slowly soar just like a balloon.
I may not only grab a star while I'm there.
I just might also grab the moon.

Cindy Wright
Maysville, KY

Unanswered prayers were Gods greatest gifts

So we were thrilled our little girls was born. At 18 months she was memorizing books, she loved books. We would read them to her and she would memorize the words until she could go through the book on her own. Just before her younger sister was born she turned 2 yrs. old. She requested Cat in the Hat, in hardback. Yes, we just thought strange but we kept everything quiet about these odd behaviors. She also loved to do repetitive activities that would keep herself entertained for hours. One example that I can express is at Easter she would sit for hours and open and close the plastic Easter eggs you usually fill with candy. My husband and I just thought we had a very bright daughter. As time progressed she began having difficulties with social and physical contact. By elementary school she would be mean to her sister, bang her head against the walls in frustration. She would want less and less physical touching. But she was acing school and wrapped up in books constantly. I tried several psychologists. She finally figured she would just stop talking to the doctors completely. It some how worked. I just never gave up on her. She would be very mean. I often slept outside her room to be sure she would do no harm. I learned she had what I call idiosyncrasies that if kept in check our family could function. Time marched on and she progressively got better about social situations. She has always been as we finally got a diagnosis a High functioning Autism person. My daughter graduated high school last year, first in her class of 637. She is now in her freshman year at Boston University. She is thriving on her own at the dorms. Our whole family lives in California. She still, even with me, has trouble with hugging. When she left for college she said "Mom you never gave up on me, and for that I will never give up on you." She awkwardly hugged me and said goodbye.

Kimberly Martel
Huntington Beach, CA
Conner ~ My Angel.

Conner ~ My Angel.

Conner was diagnosed with Autism at age 5. It was devastating for me at first. I was consumed with worry about so many different things. I worried most about the fear of the unknown. I finally learned to do my best and take it day by day. I was able to do that because of him. He is an amazing child. Since the day he was born he has been a happy child. He always has a smile on his face. He is the sweetest boy and has a huge heart. He has a great personality and is so funny. He loves everyone he meets and everyone that meets him loves him. He has an incredible memory. When he meets someone new he will ask them what their birthday is and he will never forget it. It is amazing.

Some of his favorite things to do is watching The Incredible Hulk (the old series), The King of Queens, and watching Monster Jam. He also loves to eat!

Conner is the best gift I have ever received. He is such a blessing. He goes to a great school and he has awesome teachers that love him very much. I am so thankful for the entire staff at his school. It makes me feel so at ease knowing he is in good hands when I take him to school and knowing he is happy there. At his last ARD meeting the staff in the meeting thanked me for sharing him with them because he is such a joy to be around. They said he constantly makes them laugh. That made me so proud! I am so lucky and proud to be his mother.

He is my whole heart and as long as he is happy, I am happy!

Amy Cross
Arlington, TX
Altered Dreams

Altered Dreams

When I found out I was having a boy, I began to dream about the experiences I would share with my son. Teaching him his ABCs, fishing trips, camping, riding bikes, hearing him say "I love you mommy". I imagined raising a son who would have tons of friends, excel in school, graduate college, and grow up to become a successful adult who would make his mama proud.

Evelio was diagnosed with Autism shortly after he turned 2 years old. I had noticed some strange behaviors but it still felt like a punch in the gut. I cried and cried. We immediately started ST, PT, and OT and when he turned 3 years old he was placed into a special early childhood education program. He is now 6 years old and still functions on a 9 month to 2 year old level. He is non-verbal. He is a wanderer. He is extremely aggressive. He has bitten, scratched, kicked, and choked other students, as well as his teachers and aides. But he can be so loving at times and give hugs and kisses and smile and laugh.

I still have dreams for my son. I dream of a day when he can successfully communicate, in some way, something that he wants or needs. I dream of a day when he can play with his sister instead of avoiding her. I dream of a day when he can go outside and know not to run into the street because cars could be coming. I dream of a day when he will eat something other than chicken nuggets.

Mostly I dream of a day when he comes out of his shell and shows the world who he really is. Until that day comes, I continue to hope, and we continue to fight and he will continue to make his mama proud every single day.

Bethany Seward
Duncan, OK
Special Interest to potential career

Special Interest to potential career

When I was 5 years old I was diagnosed with Autism and ADHD. I've always been known to become very obsessed with certain interests. When I was younger, many people tried to discourage my special interests by distracting me from them and trying to get me to become interested in more appropriate things, but after middle school my family finally just let me be obsessed with whatever I wanted. I'm now 22, and I'm still someone who has very intense special interests, which include: the tv show Sherlock, Star Trek, Doctor Who, and Astronomy. Of course, I may annoy people by talking non-stop about a plot in Sherlock, but ultimately I have learned that special interests can be a positive thing. Especially when it comes to finding a career. I'm currently a college student majoring in Astronomy. I've been obsessed with Astronomy almost my entire life, and this obsession has helped me tremendously in my major. If I wasn't able to pursue my interests as a child, I don't think I would be as successful in my Astronomy major.
I wanted to write this story, because I want people to know that special interests can be a positive thing for people on the spectrum. A special interest can become a lifetime career.

Candice
Pittsburgh, PA

My Perfect Little Storm

A poem I wrote on one my sleepless nights trying to figure out how to afford therapy for my beautiful son.

Flashbacks and pictures...trying to figure it out.
Hopes and wishes replaced with doubt.
When did the hurricane hit...how in the world did I miss it?
The damage remains..pieces of all that mattered. Just shattered.
How do I pick them up to fix you?
How do I make the breakthrough?
Trapped at a roadblock, my mind still paralyzed with the shock.
But this journey, my body still has to travel...
And not let what's left start to unravel.
This may not ever be "the norm"...
But you were, are, and always will be My Perfect Little Storm.

Anonymous
Sterling Heights, MI
Autumn Rose

Autumn Rose

Autumn's story begins in November of 2009 a healthy and happy baby girl. Autumn was our first born child. From the get go, we could tell she was definitely going to be an individual, one who went against the grain. She was always a little different from other toddlers her age, that didn't matter to us because we love Autumn the way she is (she is perfect). When development was lacking by the age of 3, we finally sought out a professional diagnosis. It was just as we thought, she falls somewhere on the spectrum. After a painstaking process of evaluations and appointments and filling out form after document after letter she finally started receiving ABA services as of October 2013. Since then, she continues to make amazing progress. Autumn now can do so many things that we weren't sure if she was even capable of previously. For instance, she is starting to communicate via ASL as well as beginning to make many vocalizations. She's feeding herself with her own utensil's, AT THE TABLE!! She's flown through the first two phases of PECS (picture exchange communication system). Not to mention she mastered using the potty in just over a month. She continues to amaze us at what she's accomplished and leaves us full of nothing but hopes and dreams for her future. She's still for the most part non verbal at this point, but we think it's the cutest thing when she mutters her "ay ay ay puh!" Oh that's good talking Autumn, here's your iPad. We are so proud of her, she is our most difficult test and also our most rewarding. We love her so very much, we couldn't imagine our lives without our precious Autumn Rose.

Victoria Manzo
Fresno, CA
compassion and understanding

compassion and understanding

It’s so very different having a little boy with autism. And I must admit I feel so blessed with his creativity and the fact that he is extremely high functioning.. He’s in kindergarten for his social skills and imagination only… Yet his intellectual level is incredibly high.. For a five year old little boy that’s almost five foot tall and studying at a second grade level.. It seems a double edge sword.. Already his peers are looking up at him and they do not understand him… And it hurts beyond words.. I can only hope compassion and understanding finds him as I can not protect him through every step… Though I always try sometimes a little too much…

Tammy
Chicago, IL
compassion and understanding

compassion and understanding

It’s so very different having a little boy with autism. And I must admit I feel so blessed with his creativity and the fact that he is extremely high functioning.. He’s in kindergarten for his social skills and imagination only… Yet his intellectual level is incredibly high.. For a five year old little boy that’s almost five foot tall and studying at a second grade level.. It seems a double edge sword.. Already his peers are looking up at him and they do not understand him… And it hurts beyond words.. I can only hope compassion and understanding finds him as I can not protect him through every step… Though I always try sometimes a little too much…

Tammy
Chicago, IL

Our Sunshine Girl

Where do I begin? Well our Miss Shelaina is 10yrs old now. She is an amazing soul who I believe to be a telepath at times!! Or maybe we're predictable to her with her extreme attention to detail lol!!

We found out she's on the spectrum when she was 3yrs old. Some people talk about a grieving process?? We never really felt that way. She's so beautiful just the way she is!

Right now at the age of 10 she still doesn't talk as much as an average 6yr old. She can communicate, just in small phrases or when she's prompted to. Her food consumption conceeds of chicken nuggets, Cheetos, cherry koolaid, Mac n chz, pancakes, cookies, poptarts, ice cream, peanut butter, chocolate, american cheese. Ya that's almost it!! We've tried vitamins but she won't take em.

Her favorite song right now is "Take a look thru my eyes" by Phil Collins (Brother Bear song). Every time she plays it she sings it and it brings tears to our eyes!!

What breaks my heart is when people are afraid of her being different. Usually I can handle it but every so often I will call the staring person out and wait for a response. She is my innocent daughter who I will protect!!

Most of our family all love her but not one of them will stop by to pick her up and take her out to ice cream. Because of her fits in the past we don't get invited to parties much anymore. That's ok I'm a social misfit myself!

Shelaina has a younger sister Stephanie who is 8yrs old. Stephanie is an amazing sister and is the big sister all they way!! She's never been ashamed of Shelaina and proudly announces they're sisters to anyone! Whew gonna make me cry sharing this lol!!

I worry about Shelainas health more than anything right now.

Sometimes I believe I was exposed to Mercury at some point in my life. One year after Shelaina was diagnosed with autism I was diagnosed with Thyroid cancer. Who knows? Everything happens for a reason

Malissa Purser
Kingston, WA