Stories of Hope

Richest mom

My story actually begin as I grew up, my brother was diagnosed with ADHD. He never seemed to find the right medicine to help and was diagnosed and undiagnosed with several other things. My parents had a hard time with him and were labeled as bad parents and not being able to control him. I am pretty sure he should have been diagnosed with some form of autisum. I also believe my other brother is high functioning autistic too.

When my son came along he walked early and seemed to be a very bright adventurous little boy. Preschool and Kindergarden were constant struggles and discipline meetings. First grade he was diagnosed with ADHD and things did get better, but he still struggled with social situations. At the end of end of his 7th grade year he was tested and diagnosed with high functioning Aspergers. Which looking back made sense. He has a hard time looking you in the eye while talking and has a hard time controlling the volume of his voice when talking. I struggled for a long time with the diagnoses because I was his mom I should have fought harder when I knew things weren't getting any easier. But with some therapy he is doing better.

I now see the signs in my 6 year old daughter as well. She was speech delayed, didn't walk untill she was 17 months, and has some sensory issues. The future for her doesn't seem as hard knowing I have made it through with my son who is now 14. I am so excited to see my kids active and involved with activities of their choice, and doing well even though they are autistic.

They are the most loving and giving children you could ever meet. They brighten my day everyday!! God truly blessed me the richest way possible!!

Jennifer Teeters
O'Neill, NE

strength at its best

My daughter was born at only 32 weeks gestation by emergency c-section. She was so healthy and perfect. At 9 months old I noticed she stopped crawling, pulling herself up on the coffee table. Doctors said its cause she was a preemie but i didn't see why that would make her stop. At 1 year they said o she's delayed. At 2 they said she had autistic tendencies, and at 3 they said she was autistic. I was told commit her, give her up. She'd be a rocking non verbal vegetable. I couldn't imagine giving her up. I got her into headstart, speech therapy, physical therapy, and everything else the school would provide. I never found any programs to help except special education at school. Now my beautiful girl is 17 and a senior. Things will never be easy or so called normal but she has taught me the true meaning of strength and perseverance. She does speak, walk, is starting to read and loves to hang out at the mall with her younger sisters. She shows me everyday can't ain't in her vocabulary. But most of all she has taught all of us doctors can be wrong and to never give up.

Rebecca Hall
mooresburg, TN

My Jordan

He was 2 years old when we started seeing changes in his behavior. He didn't like to be around large groups of people, loud noises or singing. He stopped going to Gramma, my mom, and it broke her heart. It took a couple of years and many, many doctors to get an official diagnosis. It was a long rough road but we trekked right on through it and made it through with our heads held high and proud.

I was like a lo t of parents. I blamed myself. Thought I did something wrong. It took a long time before I realized that I was chosen by God to have this amazing oppurtunity. He knows that I have the strength Jordan needs in a loving parent to help guide him through the obstacles his life will experience.

Jordan is a loving, caring, funny, smart 12 year old boy. He is active in our local CSAO (Community Special Athletes Organization). We travel every year to local and state events. Jordan says one day, he will make it to the national level. Yes son, yes you will!

Christie Swift
Coweta, OK

JD my love!

My dreams came true on 8/9/05, my son, Jeremy was born, 3 weeks early and 9lbs 8oz. He was perfect. We had waited 2 years, the torture of fertility treatments and many heartbreaks, and he was finally here. JD met every mile stone on time sitting up, crawling, talking, and walking. I have video of him at 9 months old, giggling like crazy as I played peek a boo with him. Everyone loved him and he had no fear of going to other people.

He started to regress at about 1year old. We noticed he stopped talking, walking, and responding to his name. He even started leaving a room when I came in, My heart sunk.

Christmas 2006, (16months) all the family was gathered at my mothers house for her birthday. He cried the entire time, he wouldn't leave my arms for on minute. When I had to use the restroom I either had to take him with me or listen to him cry. When we gathered around the table to sing happy birthday he had a total melt down holding his ears and screaming. We had to take him home and it was a long time before he calmed down.

He had an appointment in January for an evaluation. I had already had done some research and I knew something was wrong with him. Autism was one of the first on my list and that party confirmed it for me I didn't need the evaluation. My heart broken I waited for his evaluation knowing what the outcome would be, and I was right.

Early intervention, speech therapy, physical and occupational therapy, was the outcome. and it saved him. JD is now 8 he still doesn't speak much, But he now can be in the same room with people. He hugs and kisses, laughs and plays. He's sweet and good natured, loves animals. And best of all loves to sing happy birthday and blow out his birthday candles. He has a long way to go, but JD, my love, has come so far and he's worked so hard.

Teresa
Shirley, NY

Potty Training, Autistically!

Our grandson was born with Autism. Definitely not a problem, but a surprise. Michael Ramos, is a beautifully talented boy. When he was little, it was my task as a grandma and babysitter to help with the potty training while his parents worked. I used a large poster board and designed it with 2 sides. One side said "Peepee" and the other said "PooPoo. It was well decorated with colorful art. When he went peepee, he was given a sticker star to put on the poster and was allowed to do 1 thing he loved to do at my home. His most favorite thing to do was let the dogs out . The hardest thing for him was to to go number 2 in the toilet. He refused to let go. Hardest obstacle Ive ever faced........ One day, after many tries to get him to go poop in the toilet, I knew he had to go soon. I removed all his clothes but his diaper and I could see he seemed agitated. He would pace back and forth and I would see him duck behind the couch, like he was trying to go in his diaper. I picked him up, took off his diaper and took him to the toilet and planted him on the seat. I sat in front of him and gently held him to that toilet. He smacked my back; (wanting up) and I did not let go. After much pounding, he let it go and collapsed onto my shoulder. He had finally pooped in the toilet. After the job was done and the wiping was over, he looked into the toilet and screamed like crazy. My only thought at the time was to say, Flush the toilet and say Bye Poop! He did!! Less than a week later he was potty trained. I can close my eyes and still hear him say, Bye Bye Pee, Bye Bye Poop!

Chris Rasso
East Moline, IL

My children

I have two autistic boys. I am so tired of people who say, they have nothing to offer them. I am fighting to get my youngest in school and my older son I am afraid to send him to school. They keep saying they are going to call the police when he has his melt downs. I am tired of doctors giving them medicine that puts them into the emergency room. I will tell you this, bring it!!!!! No one is going to stop me from finding a school that will take them. They will get an education and I am also going to find them a doctor that knows what they are doing. Just because someone is different, does not mean they are not special. To be honest, I think they are smarter and more caring than most people are.

tammy
west allis, WI

Letter to parents of a child who has been newly diagnosed with Autism, Aspergers or ASD.

Hearing the word Autism can be scary.. My daughter was not diagnosed until she was 8 and by then we knew something was wrong so her diagnosis was a relief for us. My daughter is a senior in High School this year. The years have been challenging and have flown by but I would offer the following advice to parents of these amazing and wonderful children.
First, learn as much as you can. Read all you can. There is a plethora of books and websites filled with useful information. It is not one size fits all. Figure out what you want to try and see what works fro your child. Talk to other parents and see what works for them. Second, be your child's advocate. Fight for the services they are entitled to receive. Don't be confrontational but ask questions and try to work with them. The more you and the school can work together, the better it will be for your child. Third, don't be embarrassed by your child or their behaviors. You WILL get stares and comments. Seize the opportunity to educate people about Autism. The more we can raise awareness, the better it will be for our children. Don't accept pity for you or your child. Autism is a circumstance of your child's life. It does NOT change who they are or what they will become. Find every opportunity for your child to succeed. Fourth, find time for yourself.. as a family, as a couple and as individuals. That is the SINGLE most important thing you can do. Do something you love JUST FOR YOURSELF. Fifth, LOVE your child.. Celebrate EVERY victory, no matter how big or how small. Finally, Pray. God did not make a mistake when he blessed you with your child. Your child needs you and you need your child. It is all part of the plan. I know I am a much better human being because of my daughter. Finally, you are NOT alone. We are in this together. Lean on each other. Never be afraid to ask for help.

Debra Wear
Tampa, FL

my son with Aspergers

I just knew something was different with my son before he went to pre school like I couldn't find the right switch to turn him on. But when he went to pre school the teachers miss diagnosed him with ODD. Which I knew was untrue. And many teacher meetings later was told he was just a naughty boy and that I need to try harder as a single first time mum. Eventually when he went to infants he ran away from school because the kids told him to go home to mummy. The school told me again that I was a bad mum and that my child was a flight risk and would be locked up in lunch and recess with additional needs kids. Now that was the last straw for me I had completed many early childhood courses and nothing worked apart from very strict rules and constant routines. My mother helped me out financially to finally get my son diagnosed. Within the first 5mins I was told definitely he has ASPERGERS and ADHD. Well I cried with relief that now I can find that switch to help my son cope. But the hardest part of all is that he looks normal so he is expected to act normal which is very hard for my very bright son who is constantly getting put down and in trouble for being just him.

Linda-lea Gruber
East Maitland, Australia

Our little Miracle

My husband and I got blessed with a precious baby we named Xyler. Xyler didnt cry when i gave birth which to me it was alarming. He was a very quiet lil baby. As time went on we noticed he wasnt sitting up, rolling over, crawling.. he didnt do any of those things. We had tests ran on him and found out our little Xyler has severe Autism. Today Xyler is 5yrs old. He enjoys music, watching the news, and numbers. He's a true blessing. He loves spending time with mommy, daddy, and his big brother Gavon. He is the light of our life and our pride and joy! My husband and I made the decision that Xyler will always live with us until the end! Even after that xyler would be with his siblings. This will be a long challanging road but we are in it with our son til the end. We encourage him and love him everyday. We are PROUD PARENTS of a child with Autism named Xyler.

Kimberly Price
Columbus, OH

Michael's story

When Michael was born everything was fine, he met all of his developmental milestones on time and there was nothing wrong. Around 18 months he began to regress. He stopped talking and out of frustration he would hit himself in the head, hit others, and throw massive tantrums. He was just 2 1/2 years old his pediatrician showed some concern of Autism. I had NO idea what that even was. He was sent to a specialist who diagnosed him and then sent me to another specialist. Michael was officially diagnosed with Autism right before he turned 3. Still I had NO idea what I was dealing with. I read some articles but nothing really explained to me what was going on. At the end of the 2012-2013 school year, his school took away his IEP and said he no longer had Autism. I didn't know my rights and so I didn't fight it, until he began falling behind in class. His step sisters mom would call him retarded and even kids at school would say he was weird or retarded. This past summer we followed up with another specialist and he confirmed the Autism diagnosis once again. We are sending him to a school that cares and will help him. We still aren't completely educated about Autism but we know Michael is special and just like our other kids in many ways. We are hoping to learn more and to help support others with Autism.

Ami Ocasio
Buckeye, AZ