Stories of Hope

My Hero, Doryan.

If you ask someone who their hero is, most of the time it is someone who is brave and strong.Probably some one who has done great things and is loved by many. This is a pretty "typical" response.

My hero however is someone who is none of those things at all. My hero is 5 foot 6 inches tall.He might weight 100lbs soaking wet. He is 14 years old. He runs track and field and is absolutely amazing at it. Oh yeah and he happens to have Asperger's Syndrome.

He worries about many things ,like failing a test, not making it on the honor roll, not being first to lunch.
He doesn't have a lot of friends and finds people and social interactions terrifying. He wears glasses and is a self proclaimed "Star Wars Nerd." He has fears.... many fears.

He is afraid no one will ever love him. He fears he will never have a family,children to love.... He would make an awesome dad.

This hero of mine does "funny" things. He repeats things he has heard on TV,word for word. He laughs inappropriately at situations that others find lacking in humor.He "stims" and "flaps" and draws obsessively on every piece of paper he can find. He loves SciFi movies and wants to be a film maker someday.
He constantly asks " Mom, how do you know that I will be ok?", " How do you know I will ever be good enough?"

Good enough? Oh Dory, you are so much more than good enough! You are the best of all that is good enough.You are everything I have dreamed,wished and hoped for in a child. You are everything to me and so much more. You are the absolute best thing that has EVER happened to me. You are best this world has to offer.

One day a few months ago he asked me who my favorite superhero was. I had never really thought about it until then. I truly believe now I know. It is my son Doryan , it has always been,and always will be.

Kimberlie
Cassadga, NY

Growing Up with Autism: How I've Defied the Odds

My name is Marcus Rodriguez, and I have high-functioning autism (HFA). For those who don't know what autism is, autism is a bio-neurological developmental disability that generally appears before the age of 3. Currently there is no cure for autism, though with early intervention and treatment, the diverse symptoms related to autism can be greatly improved and in some cases completely overcome.

As a child, life has been proving itself to be quite challenging and in some cases cruel. When I was growing up, I felt like I was a social outcast because I knew that I was different from the other children. I couldn't talk until I was almost 5, not that talkative and always kept to myself. About 40% of children with autism do not speak. About 25%–30% of children with autism have some words at 12 to 18 months of age and then lose them. Others might speak, but not until later in childhood. In the past, most would've said that I wouldn't be able to attend public schools or even make it to college. But through early intervention and treatment such as speech-language therapy and others, I've slowly learned how to become an independent person able to take care of myself, pay my bills, go to work and to be able to provide for my family. Still to this day, I've made mistakes. But I've learned from them as best as I can.

Now, as a college student set to graduate in 2014 with an associate's degree in liberal arts, I seek to prove "nay-sayers" that even though I have a disability, I CAN defy the odds and prove them wrong. I've proved myself by serving as the first autistic president my college's student body and was appointed to serve on the Western Massachusetts Regional Advisory Consumer Council to address concerns of policies and procedures, financial concerns, organizational issues concerning the Agency, accessibility of Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission offices and development of consumer council relationships and to advocate to state legislators regarding appropriate legislation for people with disabilities.

Marcus Rodriguez
Westfield, MA

Our little king

We where happy to expected our 1 child, boy hes 8yrs old now in the 3rd grade, he has been in honnor roll 4 times, at first when his started kindergarten he was out of control his teacher couldnt handle him, before that we seek help in kennedy krieger institute they told us he had autism at 4yrs old, he walk at 11 month, no much talking, he was a happy boy, we learn to have patience and love him unconditional.

Hes our world, he received speech therapy at school is public school, regular classroom, his classmate loves him and tried to help him all the time, the staff has been great support, we didnt want to medicate him, but has been great change with medicine, hes able to read at 3rd grade level, good in math, loves music and building things.

kathy hernandez
baltimore, MD

I Love My Wall Lickers!

Having two children with Autism has dramatically changed my life. My children have taught me more than I will ever be able to teach them. Through them I have learned patience, understanding, compassion, and empathy on the highest level. These children cannot lie; they do not know how to judge others; they don't stir up trouble; and they sure don't have a staring problem. Sometimes I question who is really disabled.

I love my Wall Lickers!

Our story is too large to fit in this box and we sure do have a story to tell with a message of Hope!

L Dana Findley Dodge
Midway, GA

Noah's story

Noah was diagnosed autistic on Nov 7th 2013. Currently at 22 months Noah is the sweetest funniest little boy. He loves playing outside , watching spongebob, listening/ dancing to music and playing peek - a- boo. He also loves giving hugs and kisses , on his own terms of course .
I always had thoughts in the back of my head that he was not interacting the way he should be. He had no interest in playing with other children. It was hard to get Noah to smile, laugh or react to his name. He was obsessed with spinning wheels on cars , ceiling fans and lights At 12 months he pretty much hit a wall development wise. Although he was different he melted the hearts of so many family members and friends with his sweet nature and big blue eyes. My sister approached me when Noah was 16 months at the time and told me I should have Noah evaluated for autism. I broke , it felt like my world had come crashing down. All the plans I had for my son seemed to disappear before my eyes.
I had so much anger and sadness inside of me. Not to mention jealously and envy of parents with kids who had no problem letting them know which kind of cereal they want , or that they don't like certain things. I began doing online research for autism, all of a sudden it was all so clear. How could I have not known ? Right away I seeked help through early intervention and they indeed believed he was autistic. He started therapy around 18 month, still not talking or noticing his surroundings.
He has been receiving therapy 3 times a week and making huge improvements. Some may seem small and go unnoticed to others but are very much noticed by everyone who loves him. Although this is not the life I had pictured I know he was given to me for a reason and I have became such a better person just being able to be his mommy .

Chelsea Hernandez
Elko, NV

my long road with ausbergers syndrome

I am 28 years old. In 1988, I was diagnosed with ausbergers syndrome. I couldn't talk till I was 6 years old. They were ready to start sign language, and said that I wouldn't make it past first grade if I didn't start talking. But I had loving parents who wouldn't give up on me. I was enrolled in special classes, and learned how to talk. From there, I had a hard time socializing. I was picked on because they didn't understand. I also took separate speech classes. As I got older, it got easier. By the time I graduated, I had a 3.4 gpa. I have seizures too, so it's hard for me to work. I, however, get up in the morning and live every day like its the fullest. The only thing I can say to those who have it or family that has a loved one that has it, DON'T EVER GIVE UP!!! There is always hope.

Anonymous
Amarillo, TX

"Different" Can Be Better

“How do you feel about your son being on the Autism spectrum?” The psychologist asked this question after he assessed my son, Gavin, for developmental delays. I was in shock. How should I feel? Happy? Relieved? It felt like those words knocked the wind out of me. And then kept kicking me when I was already down.
There was no time to feel much of anything once Gavin received his diagnosis. We were swept away on a journey for which we could never prepare. A journey to find the intervention Gavin needs to have the most successful future possible – finding the best speech, occupational, and ABA therapists. Fighting with the public school system to get the services my son needs. Fighting with the insurance company to PAY for the services my son needs. Many more evaluations where we heard the same terms over and over again to describe our son: Deficits. Weaknesses. Delays. Disability.
But then in the midst of working with Gavin on his “deficits” something beautiful happened. My son began revealing to me his amazing mind. Yes, he has weaknesses. Don’t we all? But Gavin also has so many strengths. I stopped putting all my focus on what Gavin CAN’T do, and started to appreciate what he CAN do.
At age 3, Gavin can read at about the same level as his 6 year old brother. We tell him how to spell a word one time and his incredible memory never forgets. He can recite the alphabet backwards as effortlessly as he can recite it forwards.
Gavin continues to amaze me every day. I thought I was supposed to be the one teaching him but it turns out he is teaching me. He taught me to have more patience. To look at things differently. To have more compassion for others. That life doesn’t always turn out the way you plan. He taught me “different” can be “better”.
I love Gavin. He is a blessing. He is funny, intelligent, energetic, adorable, and sweet. He also has Autism. And I would not change a thing.

Sandy Lucas
Manassas, VA

Gabriel's Story

Gabriel Payton-Erickson was born on June 2, 2009, he weighed 9 lbs 5 oz at 38.5 days of gestation. Gabriel is my 3rd of 5 children. Gabriel was a pretty good baby, even though he woke up every 2 hours to be fed and changed. He started walking at 10 months and reached all of his milestones on time except for a few, holding a bottle, cooing, talking and feeding himself. He liked to play by himself, he didn't like to cuddle. At the age of 2 he was diagnosed with Sensory Processing Disorder and at that time his family doctor felt he wasn't showing enough signs to be Autistic. By the end of age 3 his family doctor was convinced he was Autistic. When Gabriel turned 4 I made him an appointment with a local psychiatrist, she told me that he was Autistic, he needed more testing to see what type of Autism he had. Gabriel was recently diagnosed with Asperger's. Even though he has SPD and Asperger's, he also has ADHD. Gabriel has been on different medications, none of which has helped him. His tantrums has decreased with his age. Between ages 1 and 3 he had them all day everyday, now on a good day he has around 4-6. Even though he didn't like to cuddle, he does now, he is the biggest sweetheart ever. Gabriel is extremely smart, he loves to talk to me, loves to play on our Samsung Galaxy Tablet 2, in Preschool he is writing his first and last name, small words like cat, dog. He knows the difference between light colors and dark colors, knows all of his ABC's, numbers, colors, shapes including hexagon and octagon. I have had a lot of struggles, break downs, long and restless nights, but he is worth every bit of it. I will continue to fight for him as long as there is breath in my body. Gabriel is my heart and soul. He's my HERO!!! I think God everyday for being his mother.

Brandi Hall
Ripley, WV

My lil' prince

This is my son Max. He was born May 6, 2004. He quickly developed just like his big sister…. She thought he was the most beautiful and amazing being in this world, just like we did. Just like we still do. Just after Max turned one, his father and I worried about his development. His doctor tried to convince us that he was just fine and we needed to simply wait it out. That wasn't a good enough answer for us so we sought other answers. After several ear infections, we were told that he might simply be delayed because of hearing loss. So we enlisted the help of a speech therapist. After working with her, we realized that it was much more than that. We were referred to a developmental specialist. He was tested in one afternoon and a week later we were told that he had Autism. This woman, who had met him once, who came into my home and told me that my son had autism, told me that "it wasn't that bad… his life wasn't over. It would be okay!" Not once, even in my darkest thoughts did I think his life was over...it was just going to be harder. Through many up and downs he continues to rise to the occasion. My son is an amazing little man. He is healthy, he is smart and he is incredibly quirky, however he has taught me how to love, have patience, empathy and respect in all aspects of my life. He has shown me how to be a better person, mom and friend to everyone in my life. He continues to learn, thrive, grow and inspire others. Even at 9 years old, he has lived more than most of us. He is an amazing young man and I am blessed to be his mom!

Shannon
White lake, MI

Social Workers can be on the Spectrum too!

Hello my name is Taylor Sweeting and I am 25 year old Aspie working in the field of Social Work. Growing up I was always a very socially outgoing person but I sometimes wasn't very good at reading some social cues. I understood that my autism made it hard for me to read some social cues and made me a little socially awkward, but I also understood that I had a interest in people and learning more about them, especially the social and psychological aspect of them. I was told I would not be able to attend college so I didn't have to worry about looking for schooling beyond high school. With the help of my family and my cleverness I was able to take some "sick days" from school to visit colleges and see which one I liked. I decided to attend MacMurray College and study Social Work. I recently graduated with honors from MacMurray with a Bachelors in Social Work and I am now working at an agency who serves individuals with intellectual disabilities as a group home manager and program manager. I feel it is important to stick with your dreams and shoot for the stars, hope is the best motivation and it's something everyone needs and deserves. I've always said life is as exciting and satisfying as you make it, so don't stick to the side lines, get off the bench and into the game. Keep those who build you up close and the ones who break you down on the back burner, use their words of discouragement as fuel for your go get em fire. My greatest joy in life is knowing that I was told at a young age that I would be institutionalized for the rest of my life, now I work at an agency that shuts institutions down and brings it's individuals into the community, like I said dream big and never believe it is impossible, only you can determine how impossible anything is!

Taylor Sweeting
Jacksonville, IL