It was after my son, Skyler, turned a year old we started to notice that he wouldn't talk, flap his arms when he was excited and walk on his tippy toes. He would also line up his cars and trains in a certain order and would get upset if you switched them around. He became obsessed and still kind of is with Thomas the Train which we found out is very common among children with Autism. The biggest thing we noticed is that Skyler barely made eye contact with you when you called his name or talked to him. Then soon after 2 years old he was diagnosed with Mild Childhood Autism and SID (Sensory Integration Disorder).
We had to place Skyler in daycare since I had to go back to work and once he started daycare his speech improved so fast and it definitely helped with his social skills. He was also placed in the school system and attended preschool and Pre-K being a part of the special education program. He received Occupational and Speech Therapy and still does. What we like about school is the kids are not separated because of Special Education. The classes are mixed as to prevent "labeling".
Skyler is now 5 years old and still has problems with communication in regards to what he needs or his feelings but he is thriving in school and has an incredible memory and can read at a 2nd grade level. Skyler also will only wear white cotton t-shirts and "soft" pants. He doesn't like the sound of the automatic dryers in public bathrooms and the automatic flush on the toilets but with headphones at school and Mommy and Daddy's help he is able to be more independent.
We couldn't be any more proud of Skyler for being the person he is. We have learned so much with ABA therapy not only for Skyler but as a family. Every day is always a day of learning for all of us but we wouldn't have it any other way.
Bristol, CT
