Stories of Hope

I'm Fighting To Fill The Gap!

I have two beautiful young children. Both with blonde hair...blue eyes.... smiles that light up a room. Oh - and they have autism.

My son is now in grade one at a mainstream school in Queensland. After 2 years of early intervention therapy (and lots of money spent, as you are probably all aware), we felt that he was ready for school. Boy, were we in for a shock! Noah immediately shut down as soon as we transitioned him from his safe special education centre, where he was in a class of 4 to a mainstream school with a class of 24 children!

Our last year has been a HUGE struggle and Noah now spends 5 days a week in his special education unit. Most of these days he is alone in an empty room. Many children like Noah do not qualify as intellectually impaired - so they are not able to attend a special school. The problem is that my son is also not able to attend a mainstream school. In QLD there is no "plan C".

As a determined mother, I am demanding a change. I want to have a plan C for my children. I have started a facebook page "Autism Schools - Demanded in QLD" and I have started petitions and campaigns to demand autism specific schools in QLD. These government funded schools are offered in many states in Australia... but are not yet available to the hundreds of QLD children who need them. I have only begun this fight to 'fill the gap' but I am determined not to spend the next 12 years of my children's school life living day to day like this.

Anonymous
Brisbane, Australia

Rainey Bug!

He was born just like any other child into this world. As he grew the first year we realized he wasn't as outgoing as some of our other babies. He did not make eye contact and he didn't like to be held close or give hugs. When he was 2 he didn't talk as much as our older children. We wondered if he was autistic. By the time he was almost 3 we knew it was time to seek help. We went to his pediatrician. A month went by & no word. We called his pediatrician again and asked when we could expect a call from Texas Children's Autism Center. We were told the wait time for an interview could be at least a year. We asked his pediatrician. "What would you do if he was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder?" He said ABA, occupational & speech therapy. I said let's do it. Rainey was evaluated and needed all 3 types of therapy. I said be aggressive and give him his best shot. Within 6 months he was saying more words and even a sentence. I think we were in shock when he said his 1st sentence. After another 6 months he was playing with other children. He also did not have as many "melt downs or episodes". He also finished with occupational therapy. He didn't line up his toys as much and he could vary from routines without getting physically upset. By the end of the next 3 months he was down to one session a week. We finally got the call from Texas Children's Autism Center. They tested him. We went back for results. While he displayed many signs of autism he did not fall on the spectrum at this time. They did however tell us that had he NOT gotten the early intervention he received at such an aggresive rate, they feel he would have been diagnosed as autistic. They said to pat outselves on the back and truly give ourselves the credit for not backing down and keeping after the doctors for help for Rainey.

Debbie
Lumberton, TX

The Disability Express Group is created

My son Brian is 18 years old and has Autism. He has an identical twin brother Bob. Brian was looking for a social and recreational group for teens with disabilities in the state of Maryland. Upon doing lots of research, he was able to find nothing. There were groups that focused on sports, the arts, and other items, but nothing that was diversified. After a lot of disappointment and frustration, he decided to start his own group, The Disability Express Group. The Group started with Brian and his brother, and 2 friends, this past August 2013. As of today, the Group has 17 members and is still growing. They have had such events as a car wash fund raiser, painted pottery, adopted a local middle school and raised money to promote anti-bullying education, a karate event, gone to the movies, gone out to lunch, learned archery, created their own t-shirts with the Group logo, gone holiday shopping, ice skating, a haunted house and hayride, and a variety of other fun activities. All activities are voted on by the Group, so no one person decides anything, every item is a Group decision. The Group raises money on its own to fund their events. These teens all have disabilities (most with autism, but all disabilities are welcome) and this Group of teens has given back to the community in many ways. I am so very impressed by the creativity, dedication and determination of the members of this Group. Truly a "special" group of teens.

Sharon Nobles
New Windsor, MD

What Is True Love?

Our story begins a little over 8 years ago when the Lord blessed me with my son Presley. I new something was different when he was about 2, but just kept getting the oh boys will be boys thing.
Biting issues spanning way to long, escaping 3 day cares, darting off with no fear at all, no communication (only sign language), eventually talking via movies he would watch and trying to make sense of it, biting his nails till they bleed, screaming in frustration because I did not know what he needed, self harming, wondering where he would go to when he stared off in space, I begged for help.
A few wonderful teachers and we began the doctors visits. Too many to count, countless different medications (never thought I would be one of "those Moms"). But Presley showed me it was okay to reach out, to seek help, to be different. Even thought he would never know he was, different that is.
I researched Aspergers/Autism as he started preschool and I realized what a roller coaster ride we had ahead of us.
I had a lot to learn, more than I ever thought I could handle.
But there was this boy that no matter what shows me true love everyday. I wish everyone had a chance to be loved by Presley. You would never settle for anything less. He is my guardian angel sent here to spread love and joy to everyone that meets him. I thank the Lord everyday for thinking I was good enough to be his Mom!
Presley's story is not over, everyday I learn something new because of him. He has opened my heart in ways I never new were possible. As long as we are on this journey together, nothing can stop us.

Julie Tremble
Midland, VA

MY BEAUTIFUL OCEAN

MY DAUGHTER OCEANA WAS DIAGNOSED WITH AUTISM AT THE AGE OF 2 YEARS OLD SHE HAD NO EYE CONTACT NOT CRYING MUCH SHE WAS VERY QUIET IT WAS HEART BREAKING TO FIND OUT SHE IS AUTISTIC EVRYTIME I WOULD SAY HER NAME SHE WOULD JUST STARE SHE WOULD ALSO CRY EVERY NIGHT NOW THAT SHE IS 5 YEARS OLD SHE IS IN PRE K AND WILL BE IN KINDERGARDEN NEXT YEAR PEOPLE STILL STARE AT HER AND SAY SHE DONT LOOK LIKE SHE HAS AUTISM.MY DAUGHTER WILL ALWAYS BE MY BABY GIRL I LOVE HER NO MATTER WHAT I HAVE 3 KIDS AND THEY ARE MY EVERYTHING AUTISM IS LIKE A PUZZLE ITS PIECES WE ARE SEARCHING TO FIND I AM A PIECE TO YOUR PUZZLE YOU ARE A PIECE TO MINE OUR LIVES EACH HAVE A PURPOSE BEYOND WHAT WE ARE ABLE TO SEE EACH ONE COMPLETING THE OTHER AS GOD INTENDED IT TO BE.DONT JUDGE OCEANA AS RIGHT OR WRONG BAD OR GOOD SHE IS WHAT SHE IS AND THATS ALL SHES GOT SHES NOT MISBEHAVING PLEASE UNDERSTAND ITS AUTISM

valerie
raleigh, NC

Jeremiah's story

Our 11 year old son Jeremiah has Autism with I.D. and ADHD with short term memory loss and suffers with asthma. He has a mind of a 6 year old. He can't read or write only can copy stuff from board.It has been a long journey but were still going. When he was smaller school seem to be ok but seems now the older he gets of course the harder for him it is and i'm not talking about the work i'm talking about the kids bullying him. At one time he had to go to school 30 minutes away from where we live it was the only school that provided help for him. Although he did get help he had to be in a regular class with the kids. One day he came home with bruises down his leg come to find out when the kids were passing his desk they would hit him on his legs on top of that made fun of him cause they said he breathed funny and called him all kinds of names. Sense then we have moved him to another school here he does go to special ed classes by himself but does have to have music,p.e.,etc. But moving him here isn't any better. Gets picked on they make fun of him call him names etc. I talk to teachers but all they say is they can't do nothing unless they hear or see something.Problem here town so small no education about special needs kids no one here knows much. I'm writing this to see if someone knows anybody who goes to the schools to talk about special kids and also bullying. Little towns like this needs more information. They need to understand different is awesome.

clarissa gamez
TOKIO, TX

Spinning With Oliver

Oliver was born on a Wednesday. Although he was born premature at 35 weeks he was incredibly strong and did not need any time in the NICU. He was an "easy" baby and I loved spending time with him, watching him develop his own personality as the months went by. Everyone that met him fell in love with him. Always commenting on his big bright eyes and sweet demeanor. When Oliver turned 18 months he began showing signs of autism and sensory processing disorder. His personality didn't change and he was still my Oliver, but I knew that he was different and I began to research disorders desperately seeking answers as to why my baby wasn't saying Mama anymore. Why he wasn't responding to his name. Why he demanded routine.

I knew very little about autism and nothing about sensory processing disorder, but after doing tons of research I knew that my baby was definitely autistic and a sensory seeker. He is nonverbal. He flaps his hands and stims by climbing on top on the recliner in this picture and sitting on the back of it rocking endlessly. He loves to spin everything. His therapist is amazed by how with just a flick of his wrist he can make anything spin like a top. He makes paint cans roll on their edges! Physics is his specialty. This picture shows what it's like for me everyday. He is in his world and I am desperately trying to be a part of it. For now all I can do is observe and hope that one day he will let me in. This is my face of autism.

melissa cochran
groveland, FL

Jeffrey

My stepson, Jeff, who I helped raise, has Asperger's Syndrome, high-functioning autism. He had difficulty forming social relationships in high school, especially with the opposite gender, and could go on for hours about the tiniest minutiae relative to his video games but had difficulty with people. We worked on that constantly with a therapist and he is now a relatively normal 27 year old, though he still really has a hard time making friends.

M Patricia Starr
Lake Elsinore, CA

Blessed Beyond Belief

My sweet baby boy who will be 5 soon has Autism. He has had one hell of a journey with therapies and medication and IEP through school. My only wish for him was to live a normal life full of fun and joy. He has gone above and beyond and works so very hard! When I look at him I'm amazed at how far he's come and how much he's changed. He's a blessing and I'm thankful to see him grow each day and when he makes eye contact with me it's even better. He used to look through me so much. Now he's working on looking AT me! I'm blessed to be his mother and he's blessed to be apart of our family. Not a day goes by that I wouldn't wish away his autism and the struggles he has but what does't kill us makes us stronger. I teach him every day that today is a brand new day and lets see what we can do to make it a happy one. Autism isn't a life sentence to be tucked away some where. I've been given to chance to walk hand in hand with him and see him grow bigger and better each day!! I love my little buddy.

Anonymous
HENDERSON, KY

Jordan Writes Fantasy

Hello, I’m Jordan and I was born and raised in BC, Canada. I was diagnosed with autism when I was 3 ½. I had difficulty with language and social skills. When I was very young, I used to hit my head repeatedly against hard surfaces when I threw tantrums. Over the years, I have had many tutors help me with my social and language skills and they’ve helped me with my schooling, too. My mom, dad and older sister think that I have a great imagination. I believe my autism might’ve advanced my creative imagination. I have always been fascinated with entertainment, more specifically: unique traditional animated movies and creative fantasy entertainment.

When I was 14, I became interested in writing screenplays. I felt like doing screenplay writing because it suited my English capabilities better and I thought it would be neat to see my stories put on film. I bought the software Final Draft Version 7 and have used it to make five adventure/fantasy screenplays.

I am currently 19 years old and I am working on writing a fantasy novel. I have thought about this story for about two years and I am satisfied with my latest idea. I at first wanted to write this as a screenplay, but a friend convinced me that writing it as a novel would be better because it’s easier to sell than a screenplay. I’ve worked on the summary of my story for over half a year, putting tons of thought into it. I am currently writing chapter 9 of my novel. English may be my weakest subject, but it’s my story that motivates me to write. My story is about a Canadian 13 year old girl with autism that becomes a heroine of a mystical fantasy world. The title is: Reflection.

Jordan Lefaivre
Chilliwack, Canada