Stories of Hope

Awake

After twenty-seven years of my eccentric behavior being misunderstood and unable to understand it myself, I stumbled upon the word 'autism': a label, but one that made sense of my life and struggles. This led to my recent diagnosis with on the high functioning spectrum of autism, along with ADD and OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder).
Sensory integration may be the most difficult aspect of my autism to understand, but it is arguably the most critical. Being extremely visually oriented, this is often my first sense to become over-stimulated. Not only are fluorescent lights too bright, but also their buzzing and flickering have an immeasurable affect on me. As the pulsating light bounces off everything surrounding me, distorting what I am seeing, my eyes begin to burn. The room then seems to pulsate as if it were breathing. Typically, I compensate for this with “tunnel vision”. I can easily become completely fixated on things, allowing me pick out patterns and details others usually are oblivious to.
When my plan for the day isn't as clear-cut or suddenly changes, my autism kicks in, and I might get caught up in feeding an OCD tendency. In 2009 this was more apparent than any point in my life. That was when I had to transition out into the real world from my first college Digipen Institute of Technology. I found my self twenty-four years old and on the verge of being homeless. This was when Callie, my wife, first made her appearance in my life, saving what was left. With her patience and positive reinforcement I have now found a way to harness the attributes of my “disabilities” and use them to start this new adventure of pursing a degree in physics.

Brandon O'Briant
Lakewood, WA

Conner and the search for a voice.

My son Conner was diagnosed at 4 years old. He was a preemie and was average at most of his milestones except for language. Here I was a military wife who just had her second child when I was told my hyper four year old didn't just have ADHD but he had as they called it "full blown autism". I wondered and worried- would my son never speak? Is Conner always going to yell with frustration that he cannot communicate! Will my new baby not be able to have a big brother to play with? It has been 7 months since we have started occupational speech and ABA therapy and my son is turning into a whole different child. Hes saying more sounds- hes giving more eye contact and best of all hes interacting with his baby brother. He has shown me tremendous courage and proved that a little thing called autism will not stop him from being great. I cant imagine life without all of his therapists for they have helped him find his voice which continues to expand everyday! As Conners mom I promised him that I would share his story so others will learn more about autism because every child is different but that's not always a bad thing. His story isn't finished yet but one day I'm pretty sure he will be able to tell you it himself.

lizza batista
Charleston, SC

Isreal Jai-Amor.. A Promise

From the time he was born I knew that Isreal was a promise. With a blood clot in my leg at 11 weeks pregnant, it was a miracle that both Isreal and myself survived. All through my pregnancy, I had to take blood thinners and I worried constantly about his health. Isreal was born a healthy 6lbs 11oz and I was relieved. All was seemingly well until about 2 years old when we noticed that he didn't try to talk or play with us. We also thought that his hearing may have been impaired as he didn't respond to his name or anything else for that matter. He always played alone and quietly. After a recommendation from his pediatrician we got him tested and in April of this year he was diagnosed with Autism. The road has been challenging and we are still seeking treatment options for Isreal but today at 3 yrs old we learn to understand and work with him; to learn how he sees the world. He can read, write, spell and he has an amazing memory. He loves learning new songs and eating fruits. He has a unique sense of humor and he's very affectionate towards those who care for and love him. At home, he's the youngest and at school he's a genius since no other three year old in his class can read or navigate a computer as well as he can. Yet in my heart, he will always be a promise, a promise that reminds me that God allowed him to live for a purpose and that purpose may just be to teach and inspire us that with faith all things are possible and that love bears, hopes and believes all things!

Maxcia L. Rigby
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands

Anthonys Story

I found out i was going to be a teen mom a couple of months after my 15th birthday(2008).I was induced due to preeclampsia.My son was taken from me after birth due to an intraventricular hemmorhage.He also had seizures and was in and out of the hospital for the !st 6months and on meds for almost 3yrs.He was developing severely slow.He had physical and speech therapy along with other types of therapy to help his development.He got caught up in his gross motor skills at 2.After one of his evaluations i was told he was at risk for autism.ABA therapy weekdays(15-20hrs weekly).When it was time to start prschool he was evaluated by many people and was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.He now talks somewhat.He's improving more and more everyday but has severe language delays as well as critical thinking delays.At our last evaluation 2months ago he was showing alot more autistic behavior(22 out of 23).Its een a lon journey full of struggles which i know is never going to be over.Its the hardest thing ive ever had to deal with but hes such a joy,adorable,handsome,smart little guy who i love with all my heart.Hes taught me to look at life in such a different way i thank god for him my little miracle.Throughout all we've been through ive learned to take everything day by day and that i will never give up on my son.

Monica Ferrer
oakland, CA

Why am i being persecuted

My name is Matthew 3 1/2 years old and recently diagnosed as having autism,discovering this condition in children as young as myself can be very difficult and frustrating.
I live with my gran & grandad whom are both loving,caring &understanding,but most of all patient with my condition which was wrongly diagnosed from a few months old.I live in Scotland uk & my mum in Wales uk because my mum was persecuted for my under stimulation,she is slowly recovering from depression due to my condition being undetected until a few months ago.
Since my diagnosis i have been attending 5 afternoon sessions of pre nursery & receive speech therapy because i cant speak for myself,my wish is for autism to be recognised & help given to other mums in similar situations & not persecuted for non stimulation of a baby.Most of all I want my mum back because i miss her & love her.

Anonymous
Aberdeen, United Kingdom

CATERPILLAR NOW A BUTTERFLY

Early DETECTION WORKS KIRSTEN WAS DIAGNOSED WITH AUTISM/ NONVERBAL AT 3 by KENNEDY KRIEGER ! I KNEW AS OF 1-2IN A HALF SOMETHING WAS WRONG "! A MOTHER KNOWS! JUST WASN'T RIGHT I NEVER GAVE UP ON MY CHILD I WANTED "TO "GET HELP FOR MY "DAUGHTER ASWELL AS ME FINDING A WAY TO "COMMUNICATE" WITH KIRSTEN "! SINCE 4-6 AT THE BEAR SCHOOL I TRULY INDEED "HVE SEEN " THE IMPROVEMENT OF A CATERPILLAR WHO WAS SCARED BROKEN SHY YELLING SCREAMING THROWING THINGS NOT ATTENTIVE ECT STRONG BEHAVIORS "COULDN'T GET NO WORK "OUT OF HER ! THE BEAR SCGOOL TEACHER / STAFF HELPED MY DAUGHTER TREMENDOUSLY "! FEEDING "CLOTHING "DRINKING PICTURE SCHDULES AS TO WHAT SHE "WANTS OR GOING "TO BE DOING TODAY ect! JUST AMAZEMENT BRINGS TEARS TO MY EYES TO WHERE NOW AT 7 SHE HAS BLOSSOMED AND CHANGED INTO A BUTTERFLY "A OVERFLOW "OF COLORS" EXCITEMENT JOY AND WONDERS OF WHAT SHE "WILL DO NEXT "! SHE FOLLOWS 2step direction LITL PROMT NEEDED "! EYECONTACT IS BETTER "SHE's TOUCHING TASTING HUGGING ME FOR THE FIRST TIME AND I WAS OVERJOYED WITH TEARS "! SHE GOING TO THE POTTY BY HERSELF "SHE's POINTING TO ITEMS SHE WANTS TO EAT OR DRINK PLAY ECT! IT'S THE LITL THINGS LIKE THIS THAT MEANS SO MUCH "TO ME AND NO THE VERBAL HASN'T COME IN BUT I LOVE"KIRSTEN JUST THE WAY SHE" IS AND WHEN SHE SMILES MY LIFE MAKES SINCE "!

SHANTA DEENER
Baltimore, MD

Autism, me, and B.D.

I was 14 years old and thought that I met the love of my life. A fewer months later I find I am pregnant. Inn 8-5-04 my life changed, I had a beautiful baby boy. Now no mother ever dreams of there child to have any problems. A couple years go by and I start to realize my baby isn't learning normally and acts funny in different ways. By this time the (love of my life) has left me and I'm alone and don't have a clue what I'm doing. I'm now 16 and lost! I Calla doctor and take him, they diagnosed him with autism, and tell me he is so severe that he may never talk or potty train. It's been a long hard road, but 6 years later I am so very proud to say, he now has a vocabulary of probably close to100 words and after 8 years of changing diapers and cleaning walls, floors, furniture, and a little body i am proud to say I potty trained my boy. People stare and talk everywhere we go, but they did not see the pain, suffering, dedication, love, and hard work it took to bring him as far as we have, so I look at like they don't understand. I've also had people make comments on what they would do knowing they were pregnant with a disabled child, but you don't know. You also don't how special they are or how much of a blessing they are or just how much they could completely change your life. If it wasn't Ford autism and B.D. I wouldn't be me! So I want to thank God for giving me his little angel. I love you Bradley just the way you are!

Amber Manion
Atoka, OK

Mapping his Life

Watched my grandson take a ride on Bart when he was about 10 come home and do a map of all stations we stopped at and some of the buildings we passed. That was when I realized how really special he was and still is at 22. Once again he did a map of the surrounding area he lives in... He is a wonderful loving young man.

Dorothy Turney Stacy
Brentwood, CA

Isaiah's story

Isaiah is my 3 year old son, who within the last 6 mnths was diagnaosed with autisum. It was exteremly hard and amazing to find out after wondering for months why he wouldnt talk or really anything most two year olds were doing. we are very lucky for the fact he is such an amazing son. He loves cuddling and playing with his sister. He is actually a very social boy. He still has the typical problems with talking, learning, and understanding though. he doesnt like to listen all the time but we are learning how to help him understand what we want. Isaiah is a wonderful son and is extremly loving. His autisum hasnt seemed to stop him from doing too much other than talking and being potty trained. He like lots of other autistic children loves music and is very calming to him. On his bad days its the only thing that can help. I am very proud he started early therpy preschool this past week and is already starting to learn so much. He is my son and in my eyes he is perfect the way he is.

Jennifer
Troy, OH

my awsome autism filled life

I have 5 beautiful children, three of which are diagnosed with autism. My oldest son is 8 years old and has been diagnosed with Asbergers at age 5, my daughter is 7 years old and was diagnosed with autism at age 4, and my babyboy is 5 years old and was diagnosed at she 3 with severe autism. We have been through struggles and blessings.....my children have taught me more then I could ever teach them. They are incredible in so many ways. Patience is a must. I hope every parent who has had this blessing in their lives takes it and realizes how rich they are, even on the hardest days!! Thank you for letting me share and strength to all!!

amy
mccomb, MS