Our journey began when our son was diagnosed with autism at the tender age of two. He is now nine years old. Many people often inquire if we sensed anything was amiss or whether the challenges lessen over time. Reflecting back, we did notice some subtle signs early in his growth. He frequently engaged in repetitive foot movements, which a pediatrician referred to as stereotyped behaviors. A quick online search revealed this could be linked to autism.
At that time, he was a cheerful baby, and I never imagined he could exhibit autism symptoms. After all, how could such a young child display such complexities? However, as he developed, we experienced a sudden regression, leading to a multitude of autism symptoms. He ceased babbling, lost eye contact, and soon became non-verbal, often shaking his head or fixating on his hands. He didn’t respond to his name or show interest in pointing at objects. With my brother being autistic, we soon realized we had familiarity with what we were confronting.
Recognizing these indicators allowed us to embrace the diagnosis early on. Receiving it at such a young age paved the way for early intervention. We created a statement of special educational needs, and he began attending a specialized school. Undoubtedly, this has been the most beneficial decision we made for him.
The choice was challenging, given his age. He started full-time school just three months shy of his third birthday, looking so small in his uniform. Fortunately, the staff at his school are well-versed in autism and quickly implemented autism-specific strategies, such as the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS). Since then, our son has made remarkable strides. He has developed some speech and is a proficient reader, all thanks to the support he received at school.
Early intervention has facilitated significant progress, enabling him to achieve milestones we once feared he might not. Nonetheless, autism will always be a part of his life; he will remain at the severe end of the spectrum.
Life with autism is not all despair. He will invariably encounter challenges, and we are committed to supporting him through them. Living with autism can be incredibly demanding. He is who he is, and we love him unconditionally. However, it would be disingenuous to claim it is easy.
Communication can often lead to frustration. He experiences intense anxiety, anger, or feelings of being overwhelmed, which I wish I could alleviate. We strive to assist him in managing these emotions. Yet, amidst the challenges, he finds joy, sometimes laughing at seemingly nothing. He is unfazed by societal judgments, living life on his own terms.
There are days when I feel overwhelmed by sadness at witnessing his struggles. It’s normal to have such feelings. Occasionally, I question my ability to support him. However, I recognize that such thoughts are not helpful. Despite the difficulties, he has shown me my own resilience. We never envisioned a life intertwined with autism. Our journey on this spectrum is undoubtedly tough, yet it also brings extraordinary moments of joy.
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In summary, our decision to pursue early intervention following our son’s autism diagnosis has proven invaluable. Though it comes with inherent challenges, it has also enriched our lives with profound happiness and growth.