As a child I struggled in an undefinable way that baffled Psychologists in the 90's. I was misdiagnosed with Bipolar and ADHD among other things, but the interventions never helped me and usually made my problems worse. I felt unwillingly set apart from others. When we had our first child my husband and I watched helpless as our son struggled in this same undefinable way, as friends and parents of his classmates began to distance themselves from the destructive child and his weird mom (we heard parenting issues and were given advice whether we wanted it or not every other day it seemed). I first heard the term Aspergers/Autism last year when, after once again losing a job due to miscommunication, I went in search for answers and when I looked it up it was one of those defining life moments one never forgets. Suddenly my entire life came together under this new-found concept. Since then my two sons and I have been diagnosed with Aspergers and HFA and the validation it brings to everything we've struggled with has been akin to the weight of the world being lifted from our shoulders. My sons are in day treatment programs and counseling, I'm in counseling and have learned so much about myself and how to help myself and my sons since our diagnoses. I haven't found a job yet but I'm hopeful and whatever the future holds for us I wouldn't take the cure for Autism should one ever be made. I finally love and accept myself for who I am despite my limitations and I understand my children on a level no one else can. The diagnosis of Autism hasn't limited my children and I, it's opened up a whole new realm of possibilities.

Chelsea
Las Vegas, NV