We are the proud grandparents (Nana and Papa) of a beautiful handsome 10 year old autistic boy named Alex. We really didn’t know much about autism before he was born nor did we know it ran in the family. His Mothers pregnancy was normal as was his first year of life. As Alex’s childhood milestones started to come and go without success his parents became worried. The doctor just said he was a little late but not to worry. Well, all parents do worry and want to understand what they could do or should do.
Finally, when Alex was around 2 years of age he was diagnosed with autism. Alex was put on a waiting list for a special school and years later when finally he was admitted (as there is a long waiting list) they taught him many things plus toilet training (which he still is working on). He is working on his colors, numbers, shapes and some key words. He is doing very well and we are so proud of him. He loves playing with trucks and cars and anything mechanical and knows all the noises and sounds they make and makes them himself loudly and repeatedly. He is a good helper (if he wants to be).
He has an older brother who is trying to cope with not having a brother to throw a ball around with or just have a conversation with. He has loving parents who want the very best for both their boys and try to divide their time and energy equally between both as best they can. Alex goes to a special class for autistic children and is coming along nicely though he has his moments when he melts down. Then its “I’m done”, “I’m done” he shouts loudly and agitated over and over and over. His words are sometimes garbled and few but he can be understood with repetition. He keeps everything in a straight line including my chesterfield cushions and any nic nac that’s on the table plus all his cars and trucks.
Autism is a complex developmental neurological disorder that affects the function of the brain, in the areas of social, interaction, communication and cognitive function. The spectrums disorders of autism are many and varied. Understanding and coping requires patience, patience and more patience and just as much understanding and support from the whole family.
There have been celebrities stating they have a cure. There are teachers and doctors who think they have a handle on the disorder. But, each child is unique in their individual area of so many classes within classes, and they are just that; “Individual”. There are some similarities but in end “Individual”, just like anybody else.
Is there a case for use of vaccines being the cause? Is low Vitamin D the cause? Is allergic reaction the cause? Research continues…Education and Information are the key to understanding.
It’s been a long journey with Alex but he is a happy child and is able to cope with life in his own world. He has certainly come a long way with respect to his speech and his ability to communicate thanks to his early detection and the numerous special programs that he has been through. For the first time Alex will be attending a public school full time. What the future will bring, we don’t know, but with the love he gets he will be just fine.
As grandparents to an autistic child is was our duty to find out as much as we could about autism. In our research into autism we have discovered a great book on autism that we would like to share. This book is written by a person that has done considerable research into autism and is titled the Autism Symptoms and Treatment. This book is extremely well written an we highly recommend you check it out by clicking the link above or over on the side to find out more information regarding this fabulous book on autism.
Filed under Autism by admin
