My son, Dyson was diagnosed with autism at 2 yo. There were no signs of it prior to the age of 13 months; by 15 months, I could no longer keep inside the changes I was rapidly seeing in him. All the typical signs of autism were there suddenly. He would not respond to his own name anymore, he avoided other kids when they tried to join his play, he walked on his tip-toes, he was not saying any of 9 to 11 words he was saying before, etc. At first I was so consumed with doctor visits and research, that I didn't think about the bigger picture. My son now 9 years old, has been going to public school since he was 3. He is and always has been very loving boy. Although considered non-verbal, he does communicated through sign-language, PECS. Dyson has tons of love, support. His little sisters at their young ages look out for him, as well as cousins, friends. You don't know the places autism can take a person until you are living it every single day. I have cried numerous nights. At first it was always "WHY?" and then after some time, I don't recall when, I embrace autism. Its what I know, and in a sense it was "normal" to me. These children are gifted. Its a shame that this whole spectrum has miles of chaos and unanswered questions! A part of me is throwing my hands up and saying, "my child is fine, why try fixing what isn't broken?" and other parts of me are torn, thinking about what his adult life is going to be like, and the all infamous wonder of all parents of autistic children, "who is going to be there for him/her after I am gone?"

Anonymous
Federal Dam, MN