Today is Autism Awareness Day and, since Fridays are family post days, I wanted to share our story.
In 2004 our son regressed, with what the doctors thought was Autism (official diagnosis of PDD-NOS). One day, just after his 2nd birthday, he was “typical” and the next he was a completely different child. Little Man wouldn’t let us touch him, he flapped when he got excited, he refused to make eye contact, noises and lights caused meltdowns, he lost language skills and also some motor skills. We, the ignorant first time parents, had no idea what was happening to our sweet little boy. Thankfully my mother and one of my best friends (who is a Rec. Therapist) pushed us to have our son tested and we were shocked when the preliminary results were “severe delays” and then he was officially diagnosed at Vanderbilt. Now, I stop the story here because after years of early intervention, ST and OT, our son is in a non-special needs classroom and functioning above grade level. This is not typical of the spectrum. Was it a seizure? Was it something in the environment that caused him to regress? We might not ever know but I’m passionate about helping others get intervention when their children need it. Please educate yourselves of the signs and symptoms of Autism.
My early apologies to whomever my son chooses as a life partner. Because of what happened, I will always be an overprotective mama bear and neurotically involved in his life. Our family would not be complete without Little Man’s joyous spirit. He is such a gift.
Have a beautiful weekend everyone!
Thanks Gregory & Jonathon!
Kate, you and your family are an inspiration. Thank you for sharing.
Hey KC, you and TGR are quite the inspirations. I had no idea this deep water and strength ran beneath the warm smiles and general awesomeness that comes from Craftonland. Cheers to you all.
Hi Heather! I wish I could say that we changed his life but the credit goes to the therapists at Special Kids and in our local school system. And they taught us to be better parents and how to break down communication and learning. Because we didn’t do an MRI/CAT scan when the regression happened (REALLY bad doc at the time), we probably won’t ever know if it was a seizure or something else that caused the regression. I know the way Little Man caught up though isn’t typical of the Autism spectrum.
hahaha, ship one of those adorable little girls to me…we’ll arrange a marriage. 😉
I knew of little man’s nos-pdd diagnosis but I had no idea where he was today. Goosebumps just covered my legs while reading that. You both are incredible parents and changed your sons complete direction in life. God bless you both. (and if it means anything…I would be THRILLED if any of my girls had a mother in law like you!)