Stories of Hope

Autism does not define me!

I first got diagnosed with autism in the 5th grade. My mom immediately put me in therapy and we found this group called friends club in Carlsbad. It was a group just for people with autism. I made so many friends and my confidence built up. My first day no one looked at each other haha. After a few sessions everyone started laughing and loving each other's company. My mom also put me in the Drake Institute that my Grandma paid for. It helped me pass the California High School Exit Exam. It was very helpful. And my mom fought hard to let the high I went to to let me graduate. She won and I graduated with my class of 2006. After High school, I went to Palomar Community College and studied Culinary until California cut it from every colleges' curriculum. After they cut my major, my husband who was a friend at the time showed up in his class A's and it was love at first sight. My husband and I met back in high school. We had Algebra and Geometry together. We started talking after he showed up and surprised me, we started dating right before he left again for South Korea which was his first duty station. He came back because his father 91 died suddenly. I was there for him and he cried on my shoulder. We started dating after that, and that Christmas Eve, he surprised me by proposing to me in his room which his mom and oma right downstairs. I of course said and yes and cried. and October 9, 2009 we tied the knot. and we lived in El Paso, Texas for 11 months and then moved back to our hometown where we lived to this day. And after trying for 10 months, on June 19, 2013 we welcomed our first child, a baby boy, Christopher Manuel Salcido to the world. I haven't let Autism affect me at all. I drive, have my own car, I'm a wife, a sister, a cousin, a daughter, and a mom.

laura salcido
fallbrook, CA

I Have Made Hundreds Cry

When I was four I was diagnosed with Autism, Asperger's Syndrome, ADHD, OCD, Selective Mutism, Social Phobia, Chronic Anxiety, and Chronic Depression. I would cut and beat myself everyday since then. My peers would make fun of me everyday. When I was nine a girl moved to my town from Michigan. One day at recess a boy tried to kill me and the new girl saved my life while everyone else was cheering the boy on. In the fifth grade I did a speech at my school about my disorders with the girl. Every single child in the room was crying. This is when I new that I wanted to speak for the people that are not able to speak. I am now thirteen, in the seventh grade. I am a prodigy in geography and psychology. I am also a very talented dancer. The girl from Michigan has now been my best friend for four years and the principal always makes sure she is in all of my classes. I have never had any other friends because everyone feels to guilty about bullying me to even look at me. I am still young but I know that my life would have no purpose if I had not been through all of this

Bethany Powers
Hiddenite, NC

My son

My son Isiah is 4 and was diagnosed on the autism spectrum at 30 months old! That day changed our entire life for the better. He is the most amazing smart little boy I have ever met! He is loving and caring and especially when it comes to his little sister Eliana. He plays just like other kids and loves cars, Thomas the train, dinosaurs and superheroes. He is our pride and joy and more than perfect. We are blessed to have him apart of our life. It would not be the same if he wasn't!!

Katie Jaquez
Crowley, TX

the day my world changed forever.

I remember seeing doctor after doctor since my son was 18mo. he was diagnosed with everything from bipolar to psychosis, adhd combined type and sensory processing d/o. Finally i asked the doctor if there was anything that covered all of these behaviors and he sent us to a child developmental specialist who did a series of extensive tests. I never heard back from the specialist and about 6mo later received this detailed report in the mail. It was like reading a foreign language the only thing I understood was that his diagnosis was aspergers. I knew nothing about autism and how it would affect my son, his siblings, my life style, his education and every other aspect of our lives. The road has a long one with many dead ends, curves, and detours....but the scenery has been beautiful. My son is my hero! he has taught me patience, selflessness, and how to love unconditionally. He has a great talent when it comes to art. he can do complex math problems in his head, but can't write more than 5 sentences or form his letters correctly, but some day he will. He can tell you any fact he has ever heard about science or history. He does not blend in well with his peers but yet in a room full of adults he fits right in. The most important lesson i have learned from him is how to think less of what people think of me or him or anyone for that matter and not be judgmental.

crystal Blakely
Lone Star, TX

Aidan's story.

When my son was 5 months old I felt something just wasn't right. Thought he had hearing problems. He didn't do what my daughter did. No babbling. Didn't crawl. Family would say he's a boy they take longer to develop. By 9 months old he was getting treatment from early childhood intervention.I knew with these services this would not make "him normal". I knew something was really wrong by the time he reached 1year and a half. He wasn't walking Or talking. He wouldn't let me hug or kiss him. Always pushing me away. Aidan countinued therapies. When he was 2 and a half he was diagnosed with autism. I was happy to know the truth. Relived to have an answer. At the sametime my world came crashing down. My heart was broken. I looked at this little boy and knew he would depend on me for everything forever. He would never leave my side. I accepted it. After all I have bipolar disorder. I decided we would battle together. Beat our disorders together. He would depend on me just as I would depend on him. It's been a long tiring road. Overwhelming at times. Always having to defend him from looks and comments. Today Aidan is 9. He is so smart so loving. He gives me so much hope. He teaches me everyday that this disorder can be managed and beaten. We still have our battles but he has come so far. He still recives speech, occupational and physical therapy every week. I look at this little man with so much joy. I envy him at times for being so innocent, so happy, so loving and unaware of how cruel society can be. I would never change one single thing about him. I love his weird sounds. Love the way he twirls and flops around. Think he gives me energy at times.
They say 1 in 88 will be born with autism. I'm so very lucky to be the one! AUTISM ROCKS!!!!

DeAmber Kraus
San Antonio, TX

My Leah

As age 2 started to approach, I started to notice the lack of words she had in her vocabulary, how she had no desire to play with toddlers her age, her violent tantrums became more frequent, I'd catch her doing things repetitively like flipping the pages of a book for 10 minutes, crying at the Elmo Live Concert or parades, & wanting to hold sticks or straws rather than play with her toys appropriately.
I immediately started researching & quickly convinced myself I knew what was wrong. A couple months later on July 16th 2013 while sitting in an office, I heard the words "your daughter has mild autism."
I felt like I couldn't breathe & broke down hard. I thought that the 5 months preparing myself to hear those words would make it easier but it didn't. It took a couple of weeks to process all of it & then I became obsessed with not letting Autism control her or I. I started her on a gluten/dairy free diet & within days my family & I saw a huge change in her. She is currently waiting to be put on the waiting list for intensive therapy. In the meantime I have taught her how to eat with a fork/spoon, play with toys appropriately, say a few words, & how to play learning games on the iPad.
Leah was born with Gastroschesis then had a scare with possible Cystic Fibrosis. She beat both of those & will beat Autism. My goal is to help her get every inch of help she can receive so she can live a happy, productive life. I still have my days that I break down & feel defeated as a parent but then I wake up the next day even more determined.
Leah is unque, sweet, funny & beautiful. Her father & I are so incredibly lucky to be able to call her our daughter

Jacqueline Hora
Green Bay, WI

Our New Beginning

Yesterday my 2 1/2 year old was diagnosed with Autism and Global Developmental Delays. I will admit hearing the news was no shock because I knew but actually seeing it in writing really does something to a parent. I needed some time to cry and at times I still do. We are new to all of this but know that some where some how our journey through this is meant to help someone else on the same journey. Our daughter is the sweetest most gentle person ever and not the typical "Autism Kid". Loud sounds have never bothered her, she is extra loving, but strongly does not like strangers, dancing & singing stuffed animals and Play Doh. She is our 4th child out of 5 and the first to be autistic. We have always thought her quirks were just something she would grow out of and now I realize she might not but as long as we help her and anyone else we can along the way that's all we want. Autism is not some plague to dread, it's a beautiful thing to embrace an accept and realize your child is more sensitive to things around them.

Shalala Morell
Springfield, MO

Kyle's Story

We knew Kyle was Autistic just after his first birthday. The doctors said he was running a little behind because he's a boy. His affectionate nature toward me led the pediatrician to dismiss the notion of Autism. My husband and I refused to ignore our instincts.
After being put on a waiting list, we began speech and occupational therapy as well as Early On at 18 months. We put him on a gluten/casein/dairy/soy-free diet and started him on Fish Oil (2.5ml daily).
Our little boy, who was staring out windows and crying when anyone besides my husband or I so much as touched him, began to look into our eyes and to laugh. He developed a sense of humor. He began to let extended family members carry him, feed him and (briefly) embrace him.
Kyle is 30 months old and was formally diagnosed just four days ago. It was difficult to hear, but we were as prepared as we could be. We started this journey long ago, but this is the beginning of his life as an "Autistic child."
He is non-verbal, exhibits repetitive behavior and is socially awkward. But, with early intervention, he is a progressing steadily.
I know we haven't experienced the worst, but he has already changed who I am and how I view humanity. He is our gift from God and we will not rest until we break him out of his own mind. Bless all of you who share your most vulnerable moments. Your stories help me prepare for what's ahead.
I have patience. I have faith. I have hope. Best of all, I have the love of a little boy named Kyle who God deemed me fit to mother.

Katey Meisner
Highland Twp, MI

blessings...

i have three sons with autism-one with high fuctioning autism,other two with mild-to-moderate-i feel we are blessed because my sons had so many helpful people in their lives-teachers from grade school through graduation-yes,all three have graduation certificates.they have been shaped into loving,caring adults-hard working(if only someone would give them a job)-the high functioning son is living on his own-has a job, has friends,pays his own bills(with a little occasional help)-i am thankful for them and all the wonderful people who helped them on their journey-God bless each autistic child/adult out there-there is hope for all.thank you .

sonya lawrence
Sisseton, SD

A Story Of Two Brothers

By the time Matthew was four years old, something was different. His speech, which was developing fervently as an infant slowly faded until it vanished completely. He was no longer interested in playing with Jordan; instead he played beside him. He would take his toy cars and trains, hold them to his face, and spin the wheels. He would run his tongue along the bumpy parts of his videos. He would circle the living room as though he were chasing his shadow. His appetite was next to nothing. He would chew holes through the seams in his shirts. When Momma told him she loved him, he would run down the hall crying. When someone would try to hug him he would pull away and fall to the floor as though he were in pain Momma and Daddy were told that all children develop at different stages and not to worry. Finally Matthew was referred to a pediatric neurologist who diagnosed him with autism.

Unlike Matthew, Jordan was able to speak and speak remarkably well for such a young boy. He was social, outgoing, with an infectious sense of humor, and could make everyone around him laugh. Like Matthew he also played with cars and trains and would play appropriately with them. He would also line his toys up according to category. One Christmas, he took all of the ornaments off the tree that he could reach and lined them up according to what they were. As he got older, he had a difficult time relating to kids his age. He didn't understand two way conversation and taking turns. He didn't understand about respecting the other person's space and had to be reminded about keeping hands to himself. He didn't understand figurative language and would take certain phrases and word usages literally. He seemed to respond better to older kids and adults. When Jordan was eight, Momma and Dad enrolled him in elementary school after being home schooled for two years. A series of tests led to an evaluation which led to a diagnosis of Asperger's Syndrome, an autism-related disorder.

Lorelei Walker
Petoskey, MI