Our son was born in 1962...back when autism was a new word to most everyone--even the doctors. He seemed to develop normally until the age of two and one-half, then slowly regressed. His behavior changed to bizarre, ritualistic routines, and his speech to echolalia (a parrot-like repeating of what was said to him). This was heartbreaking, and we sought out every means of help we could. No one seemed to know the cause, treatment, or cure, and he eventually attended a school for "special" children. At age 13, he began to have "rage-type" upsets that we could not physically handle...so we sadly began the search for a "home away from home" for him. The long story short is that through his problems (he is going to turn 50 on July 4th)...my husband and I both became Christians, counting on Christ alone for our son's care and protection, as well as our own strength and comfort. He has been able to come home for visits of one week to ten days quarterly throughout the years, and he has several jobs at his place of residence that help him feel needed and independent. We praise God for his progress as he has matured, for his sweet nature, (99 & 9/10% of the time) and what he has meant in our lives. When he was small, my husband had said, "Maybe he'll be your comfort in your old age." I thought that to be a ludicrous statement at the time, but I can now say that those words have proved to be prophetic!

Carole Norman Scott
Tulsa, OK