I have talked with many parents over the years who all have very unique success stories to share about their children. Some of those success stories are medical, some involve academics, and others surround other disorders. Autism Spectrum Disorder is a wide range of disorders that can affect a child's communication, socialization, and behavior.
Alison, a parent of a child with autism, has chosen to share her child's success story with the National Autism Center. Without the knowledge from research and early intervention, Alison feels that her son would not be where he is today due to his diagnosis of autism.
Here is her story:
"Imagine this scenario: It’s obvious something is wrong with your child, but you don’t know what it is. A doctor tells you your 2-year old child has cancer. He tells you it won’t be fatal, but beyond that can't give you any prognosis. A thousand questions flood your mind, but the biggest one is, "What's the treatment protocol?" He doesn’t have an answer — the best he can do is give you the names of some books to buy. It’s up to you, as the parent, to learn about it. It’s up to you to try, on your own, some of the treatments others have tried.
This goes on for two or more years. Your child is not improving. Then, you learn that there is one place in the state that has expertise in his disorder. For the first time in years, the weight of the unknown becomes bearable.
This was Andrew’s story — except substitute the word “autism” for “cancer.“
Our lives turned around when we became involved in an intensive early intervention program. When he began the program, at age 5, he had little ability to communicate. He could not sit at a table for more than a few minutes. He showed little interest in any toys except trains. Today, at age 7, he is completing first grade at a local public school. His math and reading skills are above grade level. He likes to make kids in his class laugh with his imitation of Sponge Bob. There is a long road ahead, but the most important thing we have been given by the program is the knowledge of how to work with him and continue his progress."
—Alison, Parent
This goes on for two or more years. Your child is not improving. Then, you learn that there is one place in the state that has expertise in his disorder. For the first time in years, the weight of the unknown becomes bearable.
This was Andrew’s story — except substitute the word “autism” for “cancer.“
Our lives turned around when we became involved in an intensive early intervention program. When he began the program, at age 5, he had little ability to communicate. He could not sit at a table for more than a few minutes. He showed little interest in any toys except trains. Today, at age 7, he is completing first grade at a local public school. His math and reading skills are above grade level. He likes to make kids in his class laugh with his imitation of Sponge Bob. There is a long road ahead, but the most important thing we have been given by the program is the knowledge of how to work with him and continue his progress."
—Alison, Parent
For more information you can view the National Autism Center Website.
Kristen, thanks to your friend and you for sharing her story. I could see from the part you told us her child was not at risk by researchers. At least not by you, I will have to read more of her story to figure out the rest. I would like to say thank God she kept searching for answers and not just accepting what the doctors had to say. Thanks again for sharing!
ReplyDeleteEven though knowing that the story was really about autism, I like how it was played as cancer. Many times, people take for granted the research that we already have. The advances they have made to help people with autism is amazing. I really hope that more parents and doctors become aware of programs like this in their area. Great post!
ReplyDeleteGreat post. This is close to my heart, because many of the children I work with are on the spectrum. It can be devastating for parents to find out that their child has Autism. They go through a grieving process, for the child they thought he/she could have been. It takes time. I work on interventions and I believe strongly that the earlier the better. I love the comparison, where the doctors say, go read books.
ReplyDelete