My 5 year old son Liam was diagnosed with Autism in February or 2013 just before his 4th birthday. My wife Erika and myself had some indication of a problem early on when Liam would not engage in conversations with us and would not make direct eye-contact. Like other stories I have read, he also placed his hands over his ears around loud noises and often spoke in scripted conversations from television or past conversations he had heard.
After having him cleared of any potential hearing difficulties - he was screened at the Cleveland Clinic and advised to immediately begin intensive ABA therapy. We are fortunate to have an insurance provider (I am a teacher) that covers these services and we have had for the last three months an intervention specialist that works with our son for approximately 40 hours a week. This will continue throughout the summer and for the foreseeable future. He is coming along wonderfully (he is a very bright young man) and will begin Kindergarten in the fall. We are up-beat and positive for the future and feel with continued therapy Liam with have a pretty typical life. He is a extremely fast learner and makes his mother and father very proud.
Even before Liam was diagnosed - we had him enrolled in pre-school and can not stress the importance of being pro-active with a child you have or know that may show indications of Autism Disorder. There maybe some trepidation or denial about the initial diagnosis but put that all aside. You will be amazed what is possible with intensive therapy. It will be a long journey and there is much hard work to be done - but having said that seeing your child slowly emerge into what he or she is capable of becoming is the most gratifying thing in the world.
Ashtabula, OH
