Our son received his autism diagnosis at the age of two. Now, at nine years old, we often reflect on that time. Many people inquire whether we sensed something was amiss or if things have improved over the years. In retrospect, he exhibited subtle signs early on; he often engaged in repetitive foot movements, which a pediatrician labeled as stereotyped movements. A quick online search revealed a potential link to autism, yet during those early days, his bright smiles left us unaware of the challenges ahead. Surely, a toddler couldn’t display autism traits, could he?
As he grew, we witnessed a sudden regression. His babbling ceased, and eye contact became rare. In no time, he became non-verbal, spending most of his time shaking his head or fixating on his hands. He didn’t respond when we called his name or indicate objects. With my sibling being autistic, we quickly recognized the signs and understood the path we had to navigate.
This early recognition enabled us to embrace the diagnosis without hesitation. Gaining a diagnosis at such a young age paved the way for early intervention. We arranged for a special educational needs statement, and he began attending a specialized school. Undoubtedly, this choice was the best we made for him.
At the time, it was a challenging decision due to his young age. He started full-time school just three months shy of his third birthday, looking so small in his uniform. However, the staff at the school were highly experienced in autism, implementing techniques like the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS). Since then, our son has made remarkable strides; he now has some speech and excels in reading, achievements we attribute to the support he received at school.
The impact of early intervention has been profound, allowing him to reach milestones we once feared he might never attain. Nevertheless, autism is a lifelong condition that he will always carry. He remains on the severe end of the spectrum.
That said, life is not devoid of joy. While he confronts numerous challenges, we are by his side to face them together. Living with autism is undeniably tough. He is who he is, and we love him unconditionally. Yet, I would be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge the difficulties we encounter.
Communication can often lead to frustration. He experiences significant anxiety, anger, or overwhelm, and I wish I could alleviate that. We strive to help him navigate these feelings, and amid it all, he finds moments of pure joy, laughing at seemingly nothing. He remains blissfully unconcerned about the world’s perceptions, living life on his own terms.
There are days when I feel overwhelmed and shed tears at witnessing his struggles. It’s natural to feel this way, but I recognize that such feelings don’t benefit either of us. Most importantly, he has shown me resilience and the strength to rise again after setbacks. Our life with autism wasn’t what we envisioned. The challenges on this spectrum can be daunting, yet they also bring immense joy.
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Summary:
The journey following our son’s autism diagnosis has been filled with challenges and triumphs. Early intervention through a specialized school has facilitated significant progress. While life with autism presents obstacles, it also brings profound joy, highlighting the importance of resilience and unconditional love.