Stories of Hope

Our Hearts Were Broken...

This is our amazing daughter, Tory. We received her bittersweet diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder 6 months ago, at age 10. While we were relieved at finally understanding what was going on with her, our hearts were broken, knowing her life wouldn't be what we had imagined. At first we were devastated. We cried, wondering if she'd ever be able to enjoy friends and school activities, go to college and have a career, or get married and have children. All the normal things every parent wants for their children. We grieved for what she would miss out on.

We soon realized that she wasn't going to miss out on anything. Those were our dreams, not hers. She dreams of having one good friend that she can play Pokemon with, of going into middle school next year, and of one day meeting her favorite Disney character. She dreams about what's important to her, and she dreams big. Her big dreams, though they may seem small to others, are what has become important to us. Our focus has switched from her lifelong future to her immediate future. What can we do to make Tory happy in the moment? That is what's important.

Amanda Davis
Carrollton, GA

My Autism Story

I'm Sierra, and I know I'm only 13, but I still think I should share my story. When I was little, I used to obsess over random things, like traffic lights, store alarms (or beepers, as I called them), exhaust pipes, and light bulbs. Now I'm obsessed over buildings, roller coasters, and dinosaurs. I also rock back and forth and do not like social situations.

I was also diagnosed with severe anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder, and also depression and sensory integration disorder. I started having panic attacks in first grade, but they weren't very obvious and no one (including me) realized it was anxiety until fourth grade, when I went to New Jersey and came back and started having extreme panic attacks, one lasting over two hours in the middle of the night. I was afraid to eat and soon I was losing so much weight I almost went into the hospital. It wasn't until I got tested that we all discovered I had pervasive developmental disorder, a form of high-functioning autism.

I was put on medication and for three years everything was fine, until seventh grade (where I'm currently at) when I relapsed. I started having panic attacks again and couldn't go to school, so I had to be homebound for six weeks before I finally went back.

But soon I overcame my anxiety and won a medal for taking the Duke TIP 7th Grade Talent Search ACT Test, which is a test designed for twelfth graders. I also plan to become a paleontologist or archaeologist when I grow up.

Anonymous
Apex, NC

SHOULD THE AUTISM BE TREATED.... YES WITH RESPECT

MY SON ADITYA, DOING 12TH GRADE JR. COLLEGE. HE IS HIGH FUNCTIONING VERBAL.
HE IS VERY LOVING BOY WITH REASONABLY GOOD SOCIALIZATION
HE HAS VERY GOOD SPLINTER ABILITY(UNIQUE ABILITY) 1. OF SAYING DAY OF ANY DATE OF PAST FEW YEARS.2. ALSO HE REMEMBERS THE ANY PAST EVENTS WITH ELATE DAY, DATE, AND DETAILS OF EVENTS.
HE HAD ACTED IN ONE OF THE EPISODES OF TV SERIAL * AAPKI ANTARA*
HE IS A GOOD SWIMMER, PLAYS GOLF, FOOTBALL.CRICKET,BILLORDS AND RECEIVED MANY CERTIFICATES.
HE IS.REASONABLY INDEPENDENT, USES MOBILE WELL TO COMMUNICATE. HE IS VERY ACTIVE ON WHATSAPP AND FACE BOOK.
HE IS REASONABLY GOOD IN COMMUNICATION AND HAS GOOD FRIEND CIRCLE.

DR. ASHOK SHAH
MUMBAI, India

My life with autism

Hi. My name is Megan and I have autism. I was diagnosed with autism in February 2004 when I was 8 years old. It can be hard at times having autism, but it doesn't stop me from doing anything. Here's what I like to do: Zumba - I'm a licensed Zumba instructor and I want to teach Zumba to others with autism. I also like to sing. As a matter of fact, I like to sing to every song that comes on the radio. I am also in a choir. Another thing that I like to do is color and play with my little people because it gives me my quiet time in my room. The future for me is unknown and I know that there will be hurdles, but lucky for me I have a really strong support team and I plan on getting over every single hurdle.

Megan Wolf
Oakdale, CA

Autism changed my life in the blink of an eye

I went 16 years without knowing. Not knowing anything about it until they did testing on me and told me I had NLD (Non verbal learning disability. On the Autism spectrum) It didn't sink at first I was sort of confused. My life changed so fast after that, everything made sense though being diagnosed everything now fit like a puzzle. I was scared embarrassed frustrated all these over whelming thoughts. My mom however is like superman she was there every step of the way doing research talking to other parents and people with NLD. She wanted to know as much as possible to be able to help me. At first I was reluctant I didn't know what would change or how I would be. Come to find out nothing really changed Im just like everyone else most people don't even know I have NLD or the impact it has on me. One outlet my mom told me was I needed to workout because I would get so many thoughts in my head so much rushing I was always overwhelmed or very anxious with no outlet. Finally after mom prying me to sign up I finally did. I have basically lived in a gym ever since. I work as a fitness coach now and get to help people everyday! I train day in and day out. I have watched my body grow, I have adjusted my diet and how I approach life. Now In October 2014 I will be competing in the NPC East Coast Cup Championship in Men's Physique ! To anyone with autism or on the spectrum just remember you are no different then anyone else, if you have a dream chase it ! make it a reality because we have so much passion and love we want to shine it on the world !

Tyler Hutchinson
Salem, NH

Hope For Hunter

This beautiful angel turned 11 on March 5. It wasn’t until 6 months ago that I heard the word High Functioning Autism-without cognitive language impairment later to discover, Asperger’s. Ironically, they were the best words I’d ever heard! Hunter had problems during infancy and there were a lot of quirks I just couldn’t put my finger on. Everyone made excuses as to his behavior such as he’s just picky, all boy, stubborn, strong willed, etc. The biggest things that stood out as he got older was the sensory issues, meltdowns, fearlessness, and absolute non-interest in learning or playing with anyone. He only allowed you to read him one book and that was when he initiated it….”Are You My Mother”. I will never forget when he was 3 ½ years old him telling his dad to take off his training wheels. As soon as he let go of him I winced anticipating the fall but to my surprise he rode off down the street never once falling from that point on. When he began pre-k we noticed major learning/inattention/behavior issues that would result in an ADHD diagnosis. For 7 years I have fought 4 doctors, 6 therapists, 2 school districts, had 3 evaluations done both independently and through the school, and still I was told he was lazy and I was crazy. Because I knew my child and followed my gut I thankfully was able to find answers. He didn’t have early intervention and we are starting later than most, however, I am confident that now we can progress and move forward…..We have all there is….hope.

Crystal Holland
Beebe, AR

MY LIFE

HI I WAS DIAGNOSED WITH ASPERGERS SYNDROME WHEN I WAS YOUNG WHEN I WAS A BABY THROUGH MY TEENS THERE WAS A CLAIM THAT I WAS RETARDED BUT FOUND OUT I HAD AN IQ OF 70 THROUGH A PSYCHOLOGIST.AS A KID I WOULD SPIN AND FLAP MY ARMS TALK TO MYSELF AND KICK AND SQUIRM MY LEGS I STILL TALK TO MYSELF AND MY EYE CONTACT IS NOT AS GREAT I TEND TO WANDER IN MY OWN WORLD SOMETIMES AND I STILL HAVE THE CHARACTERISTICS OF AS I LOVE MUSIC(OLDIES SOFT ROCK AND CHRISTIAN HYMNS AND CONTEMPERARY MUSIC),RERUNS OF OLD TV SHOWS AND MOVIES AND I LIKE THE INTERNET AND COMPUTER GAMES AND WORD SEARCHES AND CROSSWORD PUZZLES.I'M VERY FRIENDLY AND IN BETWEEN INTROVERT AND EXTRAVERT(I LIKE TO SCIALIZE A LITTLE BIT).I'M WHO I AM.

Charity Miles
Glendale, AZ

logans journey...

On 12/08/09, Logan was born he was my biggest baby weighing 9lb,1 and half oz. Logan was a good baby, cried when hungry or dirty, at a week old was holding his head up for a few seconds ! We were so relieved he was ok, we had,had a baby boy 6 years previous who had died of an unproven genetic disorder, he died at four days old in hospital. We had been told to not try for another baby until they had done all tests on his dna. Like i said 6 years went by and nobody had done any tests or given real answers.so we decided to take a chance and it payed off because we got Logan!, Logan was happy smiley baby, alert to his surroundings, loved to be held and made eye contact well, when he hit 3/4 months though i noticed he wasn't really rolling about on his back alot, was not always looking when we called him by his name, then at 6/9 months i noticed he was slower at hitting milestones and put it down to "being a boy", when Logan reached 2 he was still slower at things and was still not potty trained, it was hard work to keep him safe, leaving a window open was not an option as he would climb out! Logan didn't start asking for things like juice or food, he would cry and we would go through our mental list of possibilities'. In our heads, Logan didn't sleep through the night till he reached 4. He suffered with bad tummy's and diarrea etc we put him on lactose free milk, which seemed to help, when Logan went to nursery we held our breath. After2weeks the teacher said to go to doctor for assessments,so we did, after a year Logan was diagnosed ASD. But all the hard work is worth it, Logan is smart,funny and caring, he has a great humour and we love him dearly, we wouldn't change anything.

Anonymous
london, United Kingdom

Real Story of Ryan Halley

I am mother of 4 kids, 3 daughters and 1 son. My son Ryan who is an Autistic & ADHD child, and he was not able to speak till the age of 5years, now he is 7years.

He used to screamed and behaved hysterically, we did everything for him, as he is our only son, we took him to speech therapist, psychologist, Neurologist, we did his deaf test, ECG, EEG, etc, when we lost all hope, then we finally took him to healing pray meeting. where we prayed for Ryan and by the grace of Almighty God my son got his linguistics, not only this he overcomed his hyperactiveness. "Praised the Lord", he is so merciful and miraculous God,

I have a strong believe that he will definitely help Ryan to overcome his weakness of Autism, Ryan is much better now he can speak & write and does his all routine work, beside that he does cycling and skating.

I am so happy that my son makes me closer to God.

I love my son and Autism!

Promila Halley
Karachi, Pakistan

Hope Springs Eternal

My 5 year old son Liam was diagnosed with Autism in February or 2013 just before his 4th birthday. My wife Erika and myself had some indication of a problem early on when Liam would not engage in conversations with us and would not make direct eye-contact. Like other stories I have read, he also placed his hands over his ears around loud noises and often spoke in scripted conversations from television or past conversations he had heard.

After having him cleared of any potential hearing difficulties - he was screened at the Cleveland Clinic and advised to immediately begin intensive ABA therapy. We are fortunate to have an insurance provider (I am a teacher) that covers these services and we have had for the last three months an intervention specialist that works with our son for approximately 40 hours a week. This will continue throughout the summer and for the foreseeable future. He is coming along wonderfully (he is a very bright young man) and will begin Kindergarten in the fall. We are up-beat and positive for the future and feel with continued therapy Liam with have a pretty typical life. He is a extremely fast learner and makes his mother and father very proud.

Even before Liam was diagnosed - we had him enrolled in pre-school and can not stress the importance of being pro-active with a child you have or know that may show indications of Autism Disorder. There maybe some trepidation or denial about the initial diagnosis but put that all aside. You will be amazed what is possible with intensive therapy. It will be a long journey and there is much hard work to be done - but having said that seeing your child slowly emerge into what he or she is capable of becoming is the most gratifying thing in the world.

Edwin Gallatin
Ashtabula, OH