I wanted to explain a little about my life with autism. I have thrown myself into being an advocate for Ayden, which essentially means being an advocate for autism.
Ayden was diagnosed with autism a little before his 3rd birthday. My husband and I took Ayden to our local Early Steps program when he was 2 because he wasn't speaking. He could only say mama and dada but he didn't babble, he didn't try to use other words and we were concerned. but only with his speech. At that visit he was painfully "shy" he didn't pay attention to the lady when she called his name over and over to get him to come sit down and attempt playing with him. Instead he found a bug crawling on the floor and got down on his knees to watch it intently. He also insisted over and over and over for the tic tacs in my purse. Ayden was VERY demanding of what he wanted and it was hard changing him from that thought process.
The early steps program provided us with a speech therapist and also wanted to keep an eye on his need for an occupational therapist. But we were also told that he showed signs of autism and they wanted to keep an eye on his progress. David and I were stunned, I insisted over and over that he was shy and a two year old. Ayden loved me, he showed affection towards me, he was smart, there was no way he had autism...or was there? We left that day feeling numb, unsure, confused, and a little hopeless. I assumed autism meant the child that walked around on tiptoes flapping his hands all day, well yes Ayden walked on his tiptoes but he smiled while he did it. So it was different. I also thought autism was reserved for the kids that didn't show any attention to anyone, they just stood there spinning or gazing at the wall or flipped light switches on and off. Well yes Ayden would bust into a spinning frenzy anywhere, anytime. Yes he lined toys up. Yes he didn't pay attention to other people or kids. But he would spin and giggle so he was doing it for fun. But he would line toys up because he was only two and didn't quite know how to play. But again he didn't pay attention to other people because he was shy. He acknowledged family, he would hug David and me. How could this child have autism?
I threw myself into research. If you know me, you know I don't like not knowing, not understanding, not being in control of what was happening. So I learned and I understood. Autism is different for each child. Autism has so many different levels, so many different challenges. Speech, sensory issues, social understand, repetitive behaviors, eating problems, this is just some of the constant challenges that come with autism.
The more I read, the more little "quirks" I saw Ayden had. When you put all of his quirks together in one jar you realize they add up to alot more than just a "boy", a "two year old", "normal delays" Ayden has Autism.
When I finally understood what Autism was, then I learned what i could do. Not to "fix" my child, because I never though of him as broken. But to help him. He has sensory issues, and speech issues, eating issues, social issues. I want for Ayden what I want for my other two children, what every parent wants. For him to have the best life possible. We worked with his speech therapist and Ayden has jumped into speaking, he has beautiful words that he says everyday... My favorite of course is "I love you" They are not said everyday, and my heart melts each time he speaks them! We put him in occupational therapy because he is a sensory seeker, which is why he spins all the time, and he also is defensive. He doesn't like people to hug or kiss him, we still do :) And he doesn't like strong smells or loud noises. He is in an early pre k class to gain social skills that have to be taught over and over and he still barely grasps some.
Ayden is very bright, he is a mostly happy child, he is handsome, he is love!
1-88 children are now being diagnosed with autism according to the CDC. That is a number that means so much. There is so much struggling and it will not stop. As soon as you defeat one challenge a new one pops up. This will be everlasting with our children. It is their way of life. People outgrow hairstyles, change their wardrobe, change careers. But autism will be a part of a person forever the same as their eye color. The more awareness there is for autism, the more understanding there will be. They will be the kids in your class, the adults at your job, at the grocery store. It is every one's responsibility to learn ways to interact with someone with autism and to show we are all different. But DIFFERENT doesn't mean LESS!
April is Autism Awareness month, and April 2nd is World Autism Awareness Day. It is a day that many prominent buildings don blue light bulbs to show their support in raising awareness for autism, parents and family members show their support by changing their porch lights to blue. My house is blue, but I wanted to give you a better understanding of why I really do this! I live with autism and it's challenges everyday. But I also live with happiness, and innocents, and pure love- and that is all part of autism as well!
