Through the Eyes of a Child with Autism (Part One)

In today's day and age Autism is not that uncommon yet the world still continues to fear what they do not understand. Truth of the matter, every one in one-hundred and sixty six births will relate in Autism, the fastest growing developmental disability in children. Both male and females can develop the disorder but it is four times more common in males than it is in females. At a growing rate of ten to seventeen percent a year now is the time for us all to research, educate and do our parts to assist the demise of this unfortunate disease for all the brave souls whom deal with, struggle through and refuse to let win their battle!

Autism knows no discrimination every walk of life faces subjection and there is no way out, not yet. Autism usually appears around the first three years of life thought to be the result of neurological disorder that affects the brain, later impacting communication and social skills. Everyone is different as are their degrees of the daily situations. With the assistance of trained specialists and early interventions the healing can begin as the person can begin to regain their future having Autism is one thing but to not let it have you is the start to a cure.

When one sits and researches the aspect of Autism you could discover there are countless celebrities and well known figures whom also suffered with this disorder, an example, Edgar Allan Poe, Albert Einstein, Walt Disney, Brian Wilson though just a few mentioned look where they ventured in life and the feats they conquered. I recommend reading: "Emergence: Labeled Autistic" by Dr. Temple Grandin to begin an understanding of this unknown world for Dr. Grandin whom is not only a recognized and established psychologist but alos, an Autistic.

Personally, I am a single mother of two, my youngest now seven suffers from Autism. I too was completely unaware of any signs until one day I awoke to discover my baby whom had always done everything far advanced was acting completely different than he did, before.

He would sit on the couch and start rocking back and forth, if the light was turned off he would scream, now pushing himself away when anyone tried to hug or comfort him. The last words I had ever heard him speak to me were: "Mama, I love you" then darkness succumbed and my life with my son as we knew it was gone! He stopped talking and replaced words with grunting, reaching and pointing for what he wanted instead of telling me. Watching him line his Hot Wheel collection in a single line formation, dare to move one just the slightest he would know. Constantly lashing out with fits of torment where I as his mother did not know what to do or how to defend him, aganist the unseen creature..Autism. Our neighbors would stop by not for a friendly visit but to add their unwelcomed two cents and opinions. They proceeded to inform me that my two and a half year old son was disturbing them and that I was required to keep him quiet! After biting my tongue as long as I could I decided to channel our pain through a different route and asked my son's physician if there were any measures we could begin in which he suggested having an evaluation at Children's Hospital the trained advisor then broke the news to us that in fact my son did have Autism.

Enrolling my son in school was the next step at a local early intervention the diagnosis helped us begin the road to therapy, both verbal and physical in addition my son could feel as if he was not alone with his peers. Progress was slow but the vast improvements awaiting were priceless as I slowly began watching my baby teach me when I thought it was my task to teach him. I watched him show me the language of signing, patience and forgiveness, forgiveness towards the others of the world whom are adapt to closed minds if only they could also possess closed mouths!! Going to the supermarket or a simple stroll in the afternoon can hold more harm than we as the parents and families, friends may be untune to.

A cash register, a car backfiring simple sounds we ignore an Autistic feels tremendous aching throughout their head and ears far more sensitive than others. Instead of politely asking if everything is alright I instead hear cruel and insulting remarks, fingers pointing and people laughing. Sometimes I wonder to myself, what would these same people do if they were to discover someone they knew and loved was diagnosed with Autism..would this stiffle them and make them reflect at the many others they judged? I grow tired of being told my child is slow when in truth someone whom suffers with Autism lacks the ability to speak at the level they should be at and contains themselves usually from social activity but in truth, they are far more intelligent and adavnced than someone whom does not suffer with the disorder. This is only part of our story, I chose to only begin the tale until I saw if anyone showed any interest and if they did I would tell the next part.

To anyone whom suffers from Autism please never forget you are a hero and an angel to Dakota Michael and myself. One day we will all look back at the past when we can proudly declare that Autism is no more, one day, when we can cure this disease once and for all.