Stories of Hope

A Poet was Born

My son Dylan was diagnosed with PDD when he was 8 years old. He was going to "regular" school at the time but because of his outbursts and temper tantrums they forced me to send him to BOCES and said he was not capable of being in a "regular" school. Each year I'd ask to bring him back to district and each year I was told no. In my district we only have a elementary school and our kids go to high school in a different district. Through eighth grade my son continued at Boces, barely passing his school work. In ninth grade the high school asked to bring him back to district. They even put him in a regular Regents Biology class. He passed the class with an 81 average and got a 84 on his regents he also was passing all his other classes. In 10th grade they sent him to Boces half a day for a computer class. One day Dylan wrote a poem and his teacher was impressed. She encouraged him to enter a poetry contest and though he did not get first place he did get his first poem published in a book. He is now 17 and in 11th grade and is taking culinary and is on high honor roll. He told me a couple months ago he is planning on going to college and getting his masters and a PhD. He said he will not stop till he gets there. The child I was told would never be able to be in a "regular" school and may even need to be in a home at some point is now a high honor roll student and a published poet. His vocabulary is so extensive that in his culinary class they started a wall of words in which Dylan has taught the other students. I am so proud of him! I encourage parents to never give up and don't let people tell you what your child is and is not capable of. His poem is above "In My Last Moments"

Krista de Kerillis
East Marion, NY

My story

I was diagnosed with high-functioning autism at the age of three in 1988, at a time when autism was almost unheard of. I did not talk, other than to echo what I had heard, until I was about five. I was in special education throughout pre-school and much of kindergarten until I was mainstreamed there. The teachers realized I would be bored if I were to stay in kindergarten another year, so I moved onto first grade in a "normal" school. Somewhere along the way, I realized that I was somehow different, because I did not know how to behave with other kids and they would make fun of me for some of the things I did (such as talk to myself or say something inappropriate). So once I understood what my mother had meant when she said "you're autistic," I kept that part of me hidden. I told very few people that I have it, and tried to "fit in."
After I graduated from high school, I went to college to major in history, which has been my obsession since I was eight. It was the best thing I have ever done - I began to become less shy, I made lots of friends, I graduated magna cum laude and was a member of two honor societies, and I met the man who would eventually become my fiancé. After that, I got my masters degree in history.
Not too long ago, my older nephew, after having trouble behaving or listening in school, was also found to be on the spectrum. He too is extremely smart. I am telling my story because I don't ever want him, or anyone else, to be ashamed of having autism.
Now, I am working two jobs - one of them teaching history in college, which has been a big help in overcoming my shyness, am working on a book about women who worked in arsenals during the Civil War, and will be getting married next year.

Raina Kellerman
Pittsburgh, PA

My Angel Brian

Everything seemed fine Brian was born on his Due date! I froze at 3 the doctors where getting nervous my body not handling the medication to speed up the birth.. Ultrasound found the Umbilical cord was wrapped three time around my son's throat. Before I could say "pot pie" they had me in another room for emergency C- Section. They lost my son's heart beat 3 times.. Butt he pulled threw" blue as a Smuf " . At 6 months I notice he wasn't hitting marks for his age range comparing him with my niece who was born a month early. I contacted I.E.P a program for development delay they put my in at age 1, His school agreed that he has Autism Spectrum Disorder.

He is 8 years old and finally potty trained he is talking more now than ever, and his motor skills are getting there.

Thank goodness for organizations like Greater Good.

Ashley
Tennessee

Ashley Emler
Centerville, TN

Breaking The Barriers

I was diagnosed with Autism at 2 years old. It took me until the age of 4 to talk and function. Teachers and students at School snubbed me and thought that I was not going to make it. Thankfully, I had a support system within my Mother, sister, and grandmother. I was constantly teased from ages 4-18, I was called retarded and various other derogatory names. Along with dealing Autism, I am also a gay male who came to terms at the age of 20. I hated going to School everyday, I begged my Mother to drop out of school every chance I got. My social skills were below sub-par, I was abused in every way that was possible. I come from a large immediate and extended family which helped improve my social skills. Being apart of the LBGT Community has also improved my social behaviors, but some ways its like being in School all over again when I am teased or ignored. In 2011, I lost everything that I owned and had to file Chapter 7 Bankruptcy which was a devastating experience. After losing everything and filing bankruptcy, I decided to work hard to accomplish my GED having dropped out of High School 10 years prior. A trip to South Florida and being in the GED program has helped me come to terms with being Autistic. In-spite of having autism, I am able to drive a vehicle, work a job, attend School, have friends, and do things other can do. Over the last 18 months, I started to believe in myself again and once I achieve my GED I plan to go back to School in pursuit of a career in Law. I also plan to live in South Florida and attend events at Autism speaks where I hope my story will inspire someone and give people with autism hope and drive.

Anonymous
Wilmington, DE

You can too

My official diagnosis was 4 years ago, and I am 53. My childhood was watching the interactions of others to figure out how to do what others do. I did okay one on one, and I still do. After I was diagnosed in the Autism Spectrum I shared the information with a brother who told me another her older brother, deceased, had told my parents, in approximately 1963, I was Autistic.
My first hurdle where teenage years when there were multiple people, and no option to be one to one . In the 1970's many people were involved in marijuana and I became one, as well as barbiturates, and I found it was very easy to socialize while self medicating. That was a period of my life I had friends, not one friend, and it was how I dealt with life. It wasn't a continuous lifestyle.
I have anxiety, I collect rocks, I know many people yet have one close friend, I rock to calm myself, stopped walking in public on my toes when I was in my 30's..... Many
idiosyncrasies that don't carry weight with me as being unusual.
It wasn't until I had my son tested by a psychologist after a head injury I decided to talk with a psychologist. My son was diagnosed with Aspergers, mild case, and I was told I too am in the Autism Spectrum, although high functioning, much more severe than my son.
My observation of people has been my way of knowing. I continue to people watch. I don't rock in public, and I still walk on my toes at home. My 31 year old daughter doesn't understand "how I process," and my psychologist reports my intelligence has been my success to making it this far in life. I am a nurse.

Anonymous
Shawnee, OK

An angel in my life

My son Eric was diagnosed with autism when he was 4... Was difficult for the Doctors to get a diagnosis because he doesn't show a lot of autism behaviors. Eric born normal, he was the most beautiful baby I ever see..., People use to told me that he has the beauty of an angel. He was a normal baby until he turn 2..., My whole world crashed when he stop sleeping and just cry, and cry over night. From having a perfect life with a lot of friends and family my life change... First my husband left, then most of the friends prefer not to deal with this and I end up having just some friends, but they are real. They understand the autism and they stay with me. Eric give me the straight to wake up every day. Actually he is receiving ABA therapy that is helping him to copy skill.... Everyday in our life is different... It is like a surprise box that you never know what to spect. I just take one day at the time, and I thank The Lord for my angel because he never will be contaminated with the sin... Is what my uncle told me that he is an angel and I have the privilege to have him in my life.

Maria Molina
Nashua, NH

My Gift from GOD

My gift from GOD is my son~John Everett.I always wanted a son and I was happily surprised when I was pregnant at 39 and had him at the age of 40.I waited for him all my life.My husband said " I never saw a woman look more beautiful as you did when you held him in your arms for the first time.! ( I was sedated and dont remember) As he continued to grow I noticed how he wasnt hitting his milestones. Of course I was told that "every child is differnet and let him develop at his own pace". Well finally at 9 months another doctor told me to have him evaluated at the local child devlopment center.
So he was diagosed with having"low tone" so thats when the therapies began.Untill he turned 3,then thats when services went to the school sysytem.
He got into a special ed pre school~and into an autisic class. He still recieves all therapies and makes progress. He does though regress if there is a time when he is out of school.Pretty typical. He has an oversized palate which makes words had to pronounce,but I can understand him.I know there is a long journey ahead for us but I choose to concentrate on what he can do not what he cant.

Ali Pavlica
Flemington, NJ

for the love of Timmy...

When I first met Timmy he was about 5 years old. He wore weighted boots, a full head helmet, and a waist belt that confined his hands. Timmy was violent; he hurt himself, and others around him. Timmy loved his older sister, my 12 year old granddaughter's best friend. I got to know the family, and to see Timmy's struggle to fit into a world that terrified and enraged him. I visited with his mother and grandmother, and grew to love Timmy and his sister. Everytime I saw him I would talk quietly to Timmy, asking him simple questions, telling him how happy I was to see him. He kept his head down, and never acknowledged my words, or presence. As time went by, the helmet and belt and boots disappeared, but Timmy still did not interact with me in any way. After more than two years had gone by I was a frequent visitor. One day I was chatting in the family room with his mother and grandmother when Timmy appeared, his head hanging as he looked at the floor, standing under the arched entry, one of the girls on each side of him.. I looked up, and said, "Timmy! I am so happy to see you!! How are you today??" He didn't lift his head, but he ran over and grabbed me in a giant hug. He gave me a kiss on the cheek, and then backed up and just stood there. No one said a word. Tears were running down my cheeks, while, smiling, I whispered, "You seem very happy today. That makes me happy, too!" He peeked up at me, and then ran back to his sister and my granddaughter. He pulled on them, until they took him away, to his place of safety and solitude. I felt so blessed, so happy that Timmy knew. I loved him because he was Timmy. I was able to hear him speak to me, before I moved away. I've not seen Timmy now for more than 5 years, but I think of him with love, every day.

Kristin Cuzick
Shelton, WA

Hope for Aereck

Aereck was born with a long list of things wrong.
He had his first surgery at the age of 2days. Hes extremly small for his age less than 20lbs almost 3. Hes had a total of four surgeries thus far. He has five on the books for 2014.
Ive always known that there was another chapter to his story. And its Autism. He hates change, he loves a strict schedule. He only plays with the wheels of toys.. He throws awful tantrums and isnt at all easily calmed.
He has stage 2 kidney failure. Stage 5 reflux in his only kidney.
He was born with no anal opening, and was diagnosed with FTT. He has the development of a one year old, cant walk or talk but he has his ways of letting you know what he wants!

Aereck is and will always be my miracle!! *AUTISM KIDS ROCK*

Anonymous
barbourville, KY

A Life Changing Little Boy

On April 29th,2009 I delivered a seemingly healthy baby boy.We chose to name him Zebadiah(which means gift from God).Little did we know somewhere deep inside this tiny body was a person who was literally going to shake the Earth from beneath our feet.
During the phase of infancy we did not notice anything out of the ordinary. It was not until his toddler years that Zebadiah clearly had a language delay.It just seemed like he could not say no more than dada,bye bye,cup and ball,no mater the efforts we had made.
Zebadiah's was referred to an early intervention program.It was all new and a bit overwhelming for him and us.Speech therapy was first.....then they said he needed Occupational therapy??We thought that was only for adults!!
I began doing research on answers.What was going on with my child?Was he this...was he that?What should we expect?So many questions and it all caved in on me fast.Sending me down a dangerous spiral of depression and panic attacks.
Through therapy and unconditional love for my son and the drive of a private investigator...I still searched for answers.ESPECIALLY answers other than Autism.No matter how much I didn't want it to be so....deep down i knew it was.I was in great DENIAL!
Next I searched for someone who could give him some sort of diagnoses or say "hey you were wrong...its this instead....".STILL it was Autism!But at that point in time....I stopped thinking about how "bad"this was and started seeing progress in our son.his vocabulary had grown farther than i expected.He just couldn't say it,but it was there.A SPARK!!! a spark for LEARNING!!From that day forward I have pushed him to do his best at everything and i don't see Autism as bad but a blessed awakening of my soul!!He is still truly God's gift!

lucinda chambliss
Grand Ridge, FL