My Little One is the youngest of seven children. He was born in a tragic time in the history of America (9/11). He was born into a family that was waiting to shower him with love. He was a very big boy weighing in at 9lbs. 4oz. and healthy as well. Four years later, he struggles to communicate his needs and wants. He receives a full day of therapy , which is reinforced in the home. All of these measures are taken because my son has autism.
My son knows his entire alphabet and can write them too. He knows his shapes (including the octagon), his colors and numbers (in sign, Eng., and Spanish). He can also read first sight words. Imagine the amazement of people that see him signing the words he reads on advertisements in the supermarket! He reads road signs and knows all names of the fast food restaurants on our side of town. He knows the exact aisle where the Crayola section is found in every store I shop in. Yes, he may be amazing, but he was robbed of his full potential. He has a significant speech delay. He may be able to say Mom and Dad and other words, but he cannot put them together in sentences. He can't even say his own name. He can read (recognize and sign the acknowledgement of) his name, but he can't say it...how ironic is that? So, I feel like I am constantly arguing and in some way staking claim to the autism label. People see him and dismiss him as a late talker. They argue that he is far beyond the level of a child his age. In some aspects it may be, but the autism is hindering him from important developmental gains.
Due to his capabilities in certain areas, I am constantly trying to convince others that he was diagnosed and classified. (He doesn't have any quirky behaviors with the exception of sensitivity to flourescent lighting and occassional attachments to the toy of the moment.) I find myself trying to convince my family, my friends and strangers of his condition. Unbelievable as it may seem, I am arguing about the validity of the findings of a capable pediatric neurologist with many "doubting Thomases". So, although I have a certain animosity towards this thief that has robbed my son of his ability to communicate, I find myself defending its existence...
autism
4 comments:
I am crying right now and will try and reply.....has any one mentioned that dyspraxia or apraxia of speech (as known in the US) is a form and sometimes a component of autism? It is not delay if you think otherwise. Right now you are the only voice he has to speak for him...be his thunder and his storm.
In the past 55 years more has been learned about the body, mind and treatment than in all previous history.
Yet we still pigeon hole and confuse to accept that each problem might have subcategories or other problems or whatever
Instead of looking at the individual we look at the checkmarks next to the condition.
Your son is very lucky to have you, but I know how long and arduous the fight can be
Thank you for sharing this very honest and inspiring post with the carnival. They say that God will only give us what he thinks we can handle. You are obviously a very strong woman.
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