Stories of Hope

My sweet baby boy

My sweet baby was born 8 weeks early with no complications. His first 14 months of life he was ahead on every milestone. He was walking alone at 8 months, talking at 12 months potty trained at 13 months. Then like every night I put him to bed he was 14 months and 6 days old. He said good night mommy I love you. The next morning he woke up and didn't speak anymore, he couldn't feed himself and couldn't use the toilet anymore. I took him to the doctors thinking he may of had a seizure or a stroke and neither did he have. The doctor said its normal for baby's to regress. I just didn't believe that was what was going on. I did a google search and typed in my baby stopped talking and the screen flooded with something called Autism. I knew nothing about it so I read so many articles watched so many videos and thought that maybe what's going in with my baby. So at 16 months old I took him back to the doctor and she still said he it was normal. I demanded a referral to a developmental doctor at 23 months old my son was diagnosed with Autism. I thought our world had crashed. Now he is almost 4 and is starting to talk again. He is the most loving boy I have ever met. We have good days and hard days, but he always remind me to smell the roses!

Jennie
springfield, OR

Too happy to be....

My son, A.J., was born full term. His apgar score was perfect. I was one of those crazy first time moms that read all the books. One day when he was around two months old I tried to get him to turn his head when I called his name or when he heard the noise (anyway). I feared for his hearing at first until his pediatrician checked it and it was fine. He ate well and was cuddly like a baby should be. He was the "perfect" baby in many ways. When he was nearly a year old I took him outside with me and he wouldn't play in the grass. It was almost as if he were afraid of it. You could place him on a blanket in a yard and he wouldn't step on the grass. He started speaking a little bit.. Then one day it was gone. I started noticing a lack of eye contact. He would give me backwards hugs. He was obsessed with foam letters. They were his favorite toys and he would carry them around in his little hands.

I feared that he may have Autism like his dad's brother at that point. I read on the subject over and over. I discussed Autism with his pediatrician and I was told that he was too happy to have Autism. That's when I started just looking for video's and pictures. I saw that they had no basis or foundation for their statement. I demanded a referral and finally I was beginning a journey that I continue today. Eight months later (and 8 different appointments at the Cincinnati's childrens hospital) I received the dreaded diagnosis that I knew was coming.... Classic Autism.... Sensory integration disorder.. among others...

My son is now 11. A.J. is 80% mainstreamed. He makes decent grades except math. He just doesn't like it. I try to lead him in the correct direction with social behavior... I don't always do the right things I'm sure but I'm here doing my best. I'm here for him which is what he needs the most.

April Caldwell
Ironton, OH

My Story

My name is Cody. I am 18 years old and I have had high functioning autism for my whole life. I still struggle like every other teenager, school, friends, and the real world as well. I am thankful for having a trusting mom to go to even if I don't want to talk about my problems. Having autism was one of the hardest things for me to conquer. I had teachers come into my house, I had special education and many counselors helped me out. Eventually, I became a normal person like everyone else even though I still struggle with a social life; but there is one thing that makes me different from every other normal person. I understand other peoples' lives deeply, even if I sound like I don't care, I do it's just hard for me to comprehend it sometimes. I feel like if you have a dream you want to be, you can be what ever you want to be. My family and teachers I had never thought I would make it this far, I did pretty well with a small social life and a computer on my lap. If you have a dream believe you can do it and work hard. Be prepared for what life brings you when it's good or bad. You can change the world for the better or for the worse. My dream is to become a child psychologist to help out other people's problems and to manage to make them understand that having a problem isn't bad. I have a strong heart in psychology with my aspergers so I understand. I hope you enjoyed my story and if you learned or understand my story that would be great. I am glad to tell you my story, from a person that had bad problems to a point where I couldn't love to a person to a person that has good grades, have strong faith, and still little struggles socially. Even though I still think I can do better I already know I can do it. And again, thank you for reading this.

Cody Clark
Au Sable Forks, NY

Akash's Story

My son Akash is 12 years of age currently. Akash was diagnoised with Autism Spectrum disorder at age of 3. Akash was delivered when I was 37 weeks pregnant because I developed Pre-eclampsia. Akash reached appropriate milestones up until age 2 and half. At his 2 year checkup the pediatrician asked if he was saying at least a couple of words. I told her no he has not started speaking the pediatrician looked at me and then my son on the examining table rocking back and forth. The peditrician told me that I might want to consider consulting with a developemental pediatrician since he had no reached his milestone as far as speech was concerned. After about 6 months we were able to get in to see a Developmental Pediatrician at Saint Christopher's Children's Hospital in Philadelphia. The pediatrician took one look at him and confirmed every parent's worse fear that our son was severly autistic.

The Developmental Pediatrician handed us literature and some resources that we could use to help our son. My husband and I read up everything on the internet about autism. We are first generation Indian family and in India Autism Awareness is not widely spread like it is in United States. We as parents did not even understand what this meant for our child or my family. Our world stopped as we knew it I was 9 months pregnant with my daughter when we found out my son was autistic.

When Akash transition to Kindergarten the school had an IEP or Individualized Educational Plan in plac for him. Akash is currently in 7th grade private school that is funded by the school district. Akash has yet to call me a mom or his father dad. We are hopeful that one day my amazing son can call us mom or dad. Our son teaches us to look at this world from his prespective. Akash might be non-verbal but he is an amazingly special child. Loving, Sweet and looks at this world from a different prespective. We are truly blessed with our "special" son...

Shilpa Patel
Levittown, PA

"Being diagnosd with High Functioning Autism"

Hello, my name is Kayden, I am 19 years of age. I was diagnosed with High Functioning Autism. When I was in middle school, the teachers kept telling my parents, that I was autistic. So I was brought to different psychiatrists, therapists, etc. I did not understand at first. But when the years went on I started to understand it more. Understanding that it is a impaired verbal and communication, difficulty. I had trouble with communication, in high school. I understand it more and I am more acceptable, about it then I was before.
That's my story for now I have to wait for more to come. Thanks.

Anonymous
Torrance, CA

my angel

My baby boy Brandon was 4years old when he was diagnosed with autism.when brandon was a baby he was making movements with his hands but I just thought maybe its he is playing with his hands.brandon didn't reach his milestones at 2 years he didn't talk he didn't play with other children.he was playing with the wheels of his truck spinning it he was doing it continiously while he was starring at the spinning wheel.Brandon was crying right through the night at times and I didn't know what was wrong with him.I was so exhausted at work.Brandons father took me to court because he thought I was neclecting my child because he was developing very slow he couldn't interact with us.I won the court case and Brandon was diagnosed by a clinical psycologist who specialised in autism.I was devastated because my other two boys were suffering from epilepsy and I'm a single parent.Brandon is four years old now and he is such a loving boy he likes to be huggeD and love the beach.He can say some words like momy and the names of his brothers but he will show me with his finger what he wants.Hopefully Brandon will go to a special school this year in Cape town.He is my joy and God knows why I am blessed with Brandon

charmaine
cape town, South Africa

Despite its Setbacks Having Autism is Amazing!

My name is Julia Stephenson, and I am a 22 year old female on the autism spectrum disorder. I was diagnosed with having asperger syndrome at 12 years old. I was also diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Post Traumatic Stress disorder. My disorder started when I was young, but I did not know it yet. I could not really talk much yet, did not like being cleanly (meaning I disliked brushing my hair, teeth or getting my hair washed). I had meltdowns from frequent schedule changes, whenever I was hungry and could not get food, and whenever I wanted something really badly. Sometimes I still have my meltdowns but now they are more frequent. Loud sounds hurt my ears, certain lights bother my eyes and certain clothing does not feel right on me. I don't like foods with certain textures and certain chores set my emotions off because of my meltdowns. Yet despite my autistic setbacks I manage to survive he real world. I have an interest in books, writing, watching television and listening to music as well as doing puzzles. I don't have many friends that like to hang out with me. I get very nervous around people, and often make social blunders. Yet despite autism's setbacks I still manage to succeed.

Having autism is not that bad though it provided me with the chance to get the support I will need in the future (meaning a wonderful supportive boyfriend, a community college diploma and a better social life). Since I started college I broke out of my shell. Despite being hurt many times throughout my life I managed to look at life through a different lens, and opened my mind and heart to many different opportunities. I earned both my GED and my degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences: Humanities after I graduated with my Individualized Education Plan Diploma. Now I am about to finish off my Junior year at Mercy College. I will graduate in May 2015. My autism gave me some great opportunities to succeed in life, despite its setbacks. Having autism is Amazing!

Julia Stephenson
Middletown, NY

Briley <3

My daughter Briley was born in August of 2007. I had somewhat of a difficult pregnancy as I couldn't gain weight very well and she ended up being a tiny 4lb 15oz package despite being born at 38 weeks. As my little peanut began to develop I noticed some delays but thought it was just due to her being an IUGR baby and having such a low birthweight. When she was a little over a year old I talked with our Dr. about my concerns. Long story short, after many specialists, blood tests, xrays, tubes, and a 2 1/2 year wait we finally got the diagnosis. My perfect little girl was autistic. My world crumbled and I found myself reading the poem "Welcome To Holland" a lot. It's been almost 2 years since our diagnosis day and though I feel like I'm more on top of her triggers and stims, I still feel like there is so much I do not know. Looking back everything makes sense. Her sensitivity to light, sound, smells, all of it.She is such a smart little girl and has such a huge personality but she lacks in her expressive language majorly. She also has issues with her fine motor control. She has the best memory of any child I've ever met. She can look at a picture taken 2 years ago and remember what she was doing in each picture or what she was watching on tv when it was taken. I pray for Briley every night. She just started kindergarten this year at a mainstream school (she's in the special needs class) and so far it has been pretty good. She's picked up a few habits from other kids at school that I'm not crazy about but at least I know she's watching her peers and mirroring what they do. I can't wait to see the person she grows into. She has a beautiful mind and I hope one day she is able to do something she loves. She is the kindest soul I know. She is my hero.

Anonymous
Fremont, OH

Who I Am & What I Am

My name is Michael McCartney Wind, I was born on December 29th, 1991 in Richmond, Virginia. My autism was diagnosed weeks after my second birthday 20 years ago. My parents tried whatever they can to help me become more verbal just like the others in the real world. I was non-verbal until the age of 5, I learned 2 to 3 word simple sentences. I didn't know that I was diagnosed with Autism until I was 16 years old. My mother and father once told me that Autism is basically not a good or bad thing, it's just a thing.

But here are a few true special things about me that you'll learn to love though:

I sing the hit songs of Frank Sinatra and other favorites live. I've began my debut as a Sinatra performer on November 18, 2005 at the middle school's variety show in Shoreham-Wading River High School. I perform those hits where ever I can in Long Island, such as dinner parties, birthday parties, retirement homes and even fire departments. They always tell me I sound a lot like Sinatra when it comes to singing.

Also, I work in the mailroom in New York City. I began that job on July 2nd, 2012. I was very nervous on the first day because I felt like I was going to screw up badly. But I always got a lot of help from my dad, my mailroom boss, and the rest of the co-workers I work with in the big apple. Now it's been a year and a half since I've been here, and I enjoy making progress with the rest of the people in the world.

So look at me now, 20 years after being diagnosed with Autism, I'm still talkative, full of spirits and always singing my heart out! Thanks so much for taking the time to read this! I'm certain that your children with autism will have a great story of their own and a great future!

Michael McCartney Wind
Hauppauge, NY

My brother, my inspiration

Hi, my name is Jennifer. A lot of my inspiration comes from my brother, David, who has Autism. Everyday I strive to be a better person because of him. When we were kids he was always ridiculed and I always vowed to protect him and I always have! Yes, he's not perfect, but he's David.
David is a sweet, funny, loving man that I am honored everyday to call my brother. He loves Star Wars & Star Trek and loves me to death & loves my 3 children (whom all adore him). Because of him my children know that it's not OK to bully or tease because words hurt. Even though David may not be able to express a lot of things, though he is high functioning, he has taught me so many things about life & about myself. I have a huge heart for everyone! Though we don't live in the same house anymore, I try to see him as often as I can & when I do visit I love the huge hugs and kisses that I receive! Nothing warms my heart more, other than my children! He's an absolute joy to have as a brother and I wouldn't want a different one EVER! Thank you, David for being such a HUGE part of who I am and who I am striving to be! I LOVE YOU!
Love Today, Tomorrow & Always your big sister,
Jennifer

Jennifer Hull
Crystal Lake, IL