Stories of Hope

Mr. Miles

My son Miles is 2 years old. We found out at his 18 month check up that he wasnt "up to par" on his speech. I have two younger brothers, one with autism and another with aspergers. So, when my son started showing signs of autism, i should have known,but as his mother i saw nothing wrong with him. He got his diagnosis at 20 months. He is a very phyiscal boy,and his favorite toys are cars. He will sit there and line his cars up for hours. He has yet to say a word, but we are working with OT,speech, and hes attending school at waban,while meeting indivually with his teacher every week. We have seen a lot of improvement in him. He points to what he wants instead of screaming at the top of his lungs until i figure it out. Miles is so smart, he just doesnt know how to express himself the way he likes so he gets really frustrated with things and people,but he cant help it. Honestly, people ask me how i do it? How do i handle his screaming and acting up and violence?well, i love him and hes my son and he might be acting ouot and throwing a tantrum but to me, thats him saying "i need help mama". I could never and will never give up on my son,him and his younger brother are my reason for being. I accept him for all of his differences and i praise every achievment, no matter how small they may be.Every step,is a step forward and thats all i anticipate for him. mommy loves you miles and i know you love me too,you dont need to say it for me to know.

Nicole
Springvale, ME

Deja had a Journey

When you have a child, and you watch them grow you expect the good news at the doctors appointnent, conferences, as well as, daily! This story is a bit different. When Deja was not hitting her milestones, my mommy radar took over and I realized that something was very wrong. I took my daughter to the doctor, and we were then sent to a specialist and they diagnosed her with "Global Developmental Delay" and soon I learned that this was a diagnosis handed to patients, and in so many words meant "I am not sure what is wrong with your child, but she is not learnig/growing/progressing at the proper rate.
At this point I knew that I was my daughter's only hope, so I brought her to another doctor, until I was given a diagnosis, and that diagnosis was Autism.However, the doctor told me "Don't expect much from her and she will probably never talk!"
Deja started to attend Early Childhood Special Education, she had regular visits with specialists, OT, PT, Speech, and then regular school! I was not about to keep her from attending school like other kids her age... I advocated for my daughter because she deserved that. At a conference, one day, when she was four, a teacher told me that she was retarded and would never talk. I walked out in tears!
After her father and I divorced, when she was five, Deja started to speak, and she blossomed into a beautiful flower. I met someone new and he helped her to not be afraid of dogs, vaccums, loud trucks, etc...
Deja is now speaking, she is more open about feelings, is social and mainstream in school. DEJA SUTHERLAND has beat the odds, and BECOME HER OWN KIND OF BEAUTIFUL and MY HERO! Mommy loves you!

Beth Sutherland
Apple Valley, MN

My journey with my autistic daughter

My daughter, Moira, is 4 years old. She was diagnosed with Classic Autism at 33 months old, after I pushed for a diagnosis. At 18 months old, she experienced a major regression and I knew in my heart she was autistic. No one around me believed me, including her pedi at the time. After doing a lot of research I became certain that my daughter had Autism and I had to be her voice because I knew getting a diagnosis would open up doors for her so she could get the help she really needed. My daughter has opened my eyes and heart, she is my inspiration, she has given me strength I never knew I had and has taught me to NEVER take anything for granted. Each step she takes, small or big, is celebrated. She is so beautiful and intelligent, she amazes me everyday. I also home school her which is a challenge but it is incredibly rewarding! She brings a light into my life that is unmatched. I have so many hopes and dreams for her which haven't changed just because of her diagnosis. I believe she will grow up to be independent, successful, happy and live a very fulfilling life. I will do everything in my power to see to it that she reaches her fullest potential. Raising a child on the spectrum is heartbreaking, challenging,and frustrating at times but it brings incredible joy and happiness into my life. I embrace all of her differences as should everyone else but we live in a cruel world full of ignorance. Autism is not a tragedy, ignorance is the tragedy. I love you Moira, you are my light, you are my life.

Jess
Chicago, IL

Autism Island

Well it took me a long time to find my girls a good daddy 31 years to exact, I didn't think too old but maybe i was wrong our first girl was [ 1lb and 4oz/580grams] like a big barbie doll 3 months in the nicu /vent / cpaps oxygen... we were thinking all is okay now ... WRONG.. (So I never wanted to have an only child thought would be lonely growing up 2 are just as easy as one right WRONG haha number two was four lbs a whopper vs first all seemed OK #2 just a little elevated billi whatever okay two years later no words no walking but making eye contact and pointing and happy well she will catch up no worries early intervention where we live is a JOKE worthless number one and two stem and pretty nonverbal quiet at times wearily quiet except for the screams of frustration from all of us at times NO HELP NO FRIENDS NO RESPITE CARE NO ONE BUT EACH OTHER welcome to the Autism Island some days are better than others but the good days well they are very rare but praying nonstop for a cure more hope more strength more milestones posb pottytraining or at least some Independence for them before I die I have one kidney and it is real sick, I worry about the fate of my innocent little girls when I am gone what will happen who will protect them from the evil that has engulfed our country; maybe, I will get to be their guardian angel and protect them from all or some of the perils that are around who knows but for now we keep our chins up and keep praying and hoping for our babies who suffer in silence for now.

Anonymous
nashville, TN

My life with Aspergers

I was born in October 7 1990 to an abusive woman who smoked and drank during her pregnancy. I was born with FAS, microsephely, and a few other health problems and I was adopted at age 7. Fast forward to when I was in elementary school and picked on every single day because of my autism and my second grade teacher said I was to retarded to even make it past high school. When I was 10 the doctors diagnosed me with Aspergers and Social Services knew that before I was adopted. During the fifth grade I was having so much trouble that my parents put me in Special Ed which I stayed into until I was 17 at which time I was studying for my GED and at a work based learning class. I graduated when I was 18 and went to a trade school to study Culinary arts. My parents call me a walking encyclopedia since I know almost everything on animals and they are convinced I can actually win on Jeopardy

Shaina Carey
South Glens Falls, NY

My "Au"some Son

My "Au"some Son

My hubby and I always knew LJ was different, thats what made him so special. He was diagnosed last year with Autism, and as he puts it, "its a whole new world!" It feels like we see his therapists and doctors more than we see family and friends, (who have been so supportive.) To have so many people there to help our son is the greatest feeling in the world. I never knew I could love so much until I became LJ's mommy, and I never knew how strong I could be until I was faced with his autism. He is my miracle, my inspiration and my strength. I love him for him, even if it means loving his autism too :)

Courtney Barnum
Wysox, PA

My story of how autism touched me

When my son turned 2 yrs old he still was not communicating , my mom met a women whom had a son with autism she began describing his actions to my mom and the more and more she thought about what the women was saying it began to sound like my son. My mom came home from work that day we began talking about the things that my son would do such as watching a wheel on his tricycle go round and round let alone anything that would spin. At the age of 3 yrs old we went to his pediatrician at the time and asked the pediatrician what he thought , his reply was take him to see a neurologist so we did.When we heard the word Autism come out of the neurologist's mouth our response was where to we go from here as far as school also other services that are out there for him.

Through out the years we were told "If he isn't talking by time he turns 8yrs old he may never talk" He is 10 yrs old now and communicating now it may not be perfect it is understandable. With all the hard work of the school that he attends and his speech therapist and of course at home and family support. My son has come along way from no where in not being able to communicate with others. Also his behavioral consultant team they are wonderful and have also brought him and taught both him and my family a lot of ways to work around the behavior.

Through my son he has inspired me to thrive to want to go back to college and become a Behavioral Analysts doing this will allow my not only to work with the children also the parents.

Heather Basham
Burlington, NJ

What a Miracle

God does things for reasons; I am a firm believer in that! Jesse is now 16 years old, he had a very traumatic birth and first three years of his life. When he was born the doctor looked at me and said, "He is going to have problems, but I can't tell you what it is going to be". Being a brand new mom I was both overjoyed and overwhelmed at the news, as any new mom would be, but little did I know what was to come.

My son did not speak, he didn't play with little cars (or other toys little boys did), and he didn't even smile until he was 6 months old. For the longest time I thought that he was deaf. He met all of the physical milestones with ease, but not so much with social skills and speech, I knew something wasn't right. It was as this time I went to the local library and started doing research.

I took the research to our family doctor who said, "He'll be fine, he just had a rough start". I took the information to the school district, "we think you are wrong and that he has ADD and you need to put him on medication". For what seemed like forever I knew what was wrong with my son, but I couldn't get anyone to listen.

He went through grade school and junior high without much support, no therapies or resources. 2010 someone finally listened and we received a formal diagnosis, Asperger's.

He is now in high school and receiving wonderful services! He is thriving and in everything possible, he even received his driver's permit last fall, was also the Freshman Homecoming Attendant, is performing in the school musical, in chorus and much more.... he is amazing!

Leslie
Bismarck, IL

Because Autism is silent but Aliyah speaks So Listen up!!!

Yesterday could of been considered our daily routine of simple procedures done at the children's hospital or any other hospital but something amazing happened and it wasn't planned. I sent off my kids to school early morning and headed out to the children's hospital with my daughter Aliyah and my dad (Aliyah's grandfather) while it was still pitch black outside. Aliyah was screaming as usual while I drove her to the hospital for over 50 miles from home. I kept trying to calm her down by saying "Aliyah its ok mija, you are only getting your teeth cleaned at the hospital and after they're done we'll get something to eat at McDonalds so you can go home and relax". She kept screaming and crying pointing her fingers to her mouth "papa papa papa". She hadn't eaten anything since yesterday but doctors orders were to not eat or drink anything before the dental procedure because she was getting general anesthesia. "It's ok mija after they're done you can eat something" but Aliyah wasn't having it, she kept screaming and even slapped my dad. "No Aliyah, that's not nice, we don't hit Welo". I couldn't help but feel sad that she was hungry and couldn't wait but I realized she had to get this done and she would be fine afterwards. Aliyah is getting better in morning schedules but when you mess with her food and breakfast prepare for war (lots of laughs).

As we arrived at the hospital Aliyah was very upset and uneasy so they immediately admitted her and started the registration process but she still had to wait because their were others ahead...READ MORE at http://www.vanedlopez.com/2011/11/aliyah-va-hablar-because-autism-doesnt.html

Vane D. Lopez
La Grulla, TX

Autism Advice From Brother to Brother

Our 14 year old son, Noah, was diagnosed with autism 11 years ago right before his third birthday. Noah has been a trooper through his entire journey with autism. Recently our two year old, Niles, has been showing a lot of the red flags for autism. We are currently working with early on to get him evaluated. So one night a few weeks ago we were explaining to our children that we think that Niles may have autism like Noah and that he needs us to be extra thoughtful and understanding to him. Noah goes over to Niles and puts his arm around him and says "awww, it's okay. It will be hard at first but you will get used to it and learn how to control yourself" Watching the two of them interact like that brought tears to my eyes and the fact that Noah was offering such wonderful words of wisdom to his brother. I am happy that if Niles has to be autistic he has such a wonderful brother to look up to for advice and support and even if nobody else understands them completely, they will have each other.

Heather
Battle Creek, MI