Hunter was always a picky baby as he got older i kept saying to people, "he still isn't talking" they would say, "boys develop slower" but by 3 i was certain something was up. i had our local pre-school observe and after that and a few doctors later he was diagnosed with non-verbal autism. it has been an uphill battle for services but its one i will win for my son he is 7 now and such a Character and although he still does not talk there is a little signing and picture recognition. My heart will always ache for him to learn more and more communication but Hunter is Hunter and i would never change that. He is my perfect son. I work hard to educate who i can on autism and its a big job. I believe the Lord blesses us with exactly what we can handle in our lives and i have many blessings and that includes Hunter He makes me see things how i have never seen them before and it makes me more grateful for the things we take for granted like the simple form of communication...Me and my Husband WILL not give up till all the pieces fit!

Tyler is 4 years old and recently, "officially" diagnosed with Autism. He also has sensory disorders. We know that he hears "too well". I have known something was going on since he was between 1 and 2 years old, but no one would listen. I researched and then made them listen to my findings. At an age where others were telling stories about their kids, I remembered that as with my older 2, he should've been speaking better. He shouldv'e been able to have a conversation with us. He couldn't. It seems the more little helpful pieces of information I find and apply, the better it has gotten. I fear for him in school. He would be a target for a bully and not know what to do in emergencies. I find peace in knowing that we are doing somethings right.

Today I took him to the park with his 1 year old brother. As we were leaving he grabbed hold of the stroller and stayed beside me...no meltdowns, nothing. Quite the opposite. As we approached the car, out of the blue, he looked up at me and said "Thank you, mommy". Of course I began to melt. I got him in and start buckling his brother when he said "What a beautiful day, mommy" it was so calm and sweet. Holding back tears I said "You're right, it is a beautiful day".Then, buckling him in, he said "I love our walks, I love the playground. I love the water, the party and the tables" (Last part referring to a party we had yesterday for his brothers Baptism) Last night he laid in bed with daddy and said "It was an amazing family party". Skipping no words when he speaks from the heart. Its only when he quickly speaks that he misses pronouns and such. He is proving how Autism doesn't control him.I am so proud. If we get the opportunity in the moments flashed before we die to "see" something from our past I really hope that this is one of mine.

I miss my daughter Tiffany. She had autism and passed away 04/19/2012. She also had OCD as a result of the autism. Her doctor put her on high doses of Zolft to control the OCD and this proved toxic without any warning symptoms. I just wanted to share so no one else will lose a loved one this way. Tiffany loved life even though she was dealt a difficult hand. She was born a male and her only wish in life was to become the woman she felt she should have been from birth. It is a tragedy to lose someone who is only 25 and full of life.

Everyday i thank god for Joel ,almost 4 and he is my sweet heart. Everyday we face the world together as a team ! Joel is my youngest child , he has 2 big brothers and two big sisters. I have learnt so much from Joel that all my other kids had not even made me think of ! I knew Joel was unique , all kids are. We got the autism diagnosis at the age of three , but i had known he was autistic from the day i typed speech delay into a Google search , then i read about autism and right away i knew this was my son. I will not lie , i was utterly devastated , to the point it took me months to even discuss it with my husband. I feared so much for my sweet beautiful little boys future , what would it be like ??? Now i never think that far ahead , i take each day as it comes , in the last year we have noticed such progress , through changes we have made as a family , to change things to be better not just for Joel , but for us all. I have learned so much as a parent from my youngest child , increased patience, understanding, and a whole new perspective on life. I am so proud to be an autistic mum , as the love between me and my child is unprecedented and everlasting , my devastation did not last as i realized i had not lost anything , my boy was right there in front of me just as he had always been , and will always be , as i will always be at his side guiding him through this complex life , trying to understand things from a different view , see things in the light of my gorgeous boys perspective, with a huge heart swollen with pride and eternal love for him we will always be progressing and we will be a family proud of Joel our special boy.

Our twin girls are both Autistic. They show us all the time that they don't let that stand in their way. This past Christmas both of our daughters were involved in singing a song for a special in church and our one daughter Megan sang the solo for the very first time. Megan had only heard the song only a handful of times but she memorized all the words.See our girls may be in the 5th grade but they only read at a 1st grade level. At the end of the song, Megan received a standing ovation. There was not a dry eye in the place. Our video has been shared by many of our family members. I hope this video inspires other parents who has a child with Autism that kids with special needs can do extraordinary things. Our girls inspire us to do our best and to let nothing stand in our way. Our daughters singing brings our family hope that they will grow up and live a productive life.

Christian is a very happy, energetic, handsome 2 1/2 year old. He was diagnosed a month ago with Autism. He loves cars, his pillow, and his baby sister. He has shown so much improvement in just the short time he has been receiving help. He works with a Special Instructions Teacher and a Speech Therapist as well as an Occupational Therapist. He is such an expressive little boy and he is the light of his father and I's life! He knows just what to do to put a smile on anyone's face, whether it be his little smile or recently a big hug! He will make a little eye contact now and the fact that he is hugging and interacting with other people is such a huge blessing for us! Every day Christian amazes those around him! Since his diagnosis, It has opened my eyes to so many things and I look at every little things completely different then I had before! Each day is another new word to learn or another obstacle to overcome! I thank God for blessing my husband and I with such a unique and amazing little boy! We love you Boo Bear, to the moon and back!

Hello I am Daniel. I am 20 years old. The reason why i look so young is because I have GHD (Growth Hormone Deficiency) I also have Tourette Syndrome, A.D.D, OCD. And Asperger Syndrome which is a form of Autism. I was diagnosed at the age of 13, before this age I was a normal kid with ADHD, but that went away when I had scoliosis surgery, I was paralyzed from my chest down. I had to be in a wheel chair until I learned how to walk on my own a year and a half later. I had this surgery when I was 12 years old. This experience made my ADHD go away, then my tourette syndrome became allot worse, I was diagnosed with A.D.D because I had so much trouble concentrating in school, I also would forget what I learned a week later, I still don't know how to subtract, and add/multiply big numbers. I cant read a book unless I read it more than 2 times in order for it to be drilled in my brain. After I learned how to walk, my communication skills became worse, I don't make eye contact unless I have a strong connection with someone. I hate being touched, I rock back and forth and spin in circles. I eat with my hands and I don't know how to use a knife to cut my own food. I have trouble with controlling my emotions. I am very sensitive with certain type of clothing. All of this stress and anxiety caused me to have a skin condition that looks like I am have an allergic reaction to something. I get red itchy bumps all over my body and my lips swell up. I now take medication to make that go away. So many things have happened to me over the years, but I am not ashamed to be who I am today. So many great people had some of the same problems I have. Some have it worse than me. As long as you have the support, you will easily get through life!

My almost 6 year old son Jared was diagnosed with PDD-NOS at the age of 3; however since then I believe his disorder is more sever and am in the process of having him re-evaluated. My son was kicked out of 2 preschools and I finally found a loving preschool ready and willing to work with my son. He started Kindergarten this year that and it has not been easy. His schedule was adjust pretty early in the year to only attend class for half the day. He also has an aide that sits with him all day, and has been suspended from school at least 4 times. It's be a rough battle but I'm FINALLY getting some much needed help, after fighting for a year, starting today. Today is a new day with hopefully a new outlook.

One of my son's most difficult things is transition and gets upset easily when moving from one task to another (whether it's moving from one fun activity to another or just using the restroom). One thing that I always tell my son, and find using right along with him, is "BREATHE." The way we breathe is "Smell the flowers and blow out the candles" (used over and over). Granted, this does not ALWAYS work but it's what we always try. What works today may not work tomorrow. That's the story of my life. All i know is that I will NEVER give up on my son and NEVER give up trying anything that could help him become more successful.

I could share so many stories with you but I think I could write a novel. I wish all parents with children on the spectrum ALL the best and strength.

Much love, support and respect to you ALL

Kim J.

Loving Mother of a Son on the Autism Spectrum

He is the most incredible little boy you may ever meet. His insights into life never fail to amaze me as he thinks about things from aspects that I would never even consider. Yes- He may get upset because he finds feelings and social concepts hard to understand, he may curl up into a ball to hide away, he may have to go outside when extended family are over because he can't cope with so many people being in his safe place for so long and he may behave strangely in busy places because he can't deal with it; but he's not a bad boy for this at all- the sooner everyone understands this, the better! I mean- can you imagine, having to cut your labels from your clothes because you can't stand how if feels, remembering EVERYTHING, feeling the need bath/shower relentlessly after a day at school as your way of coping and constantly needing to be stimulated because your body needs to be doing things, despite everything being far more intense for you than most other people anyway? He never fails to make me smile and his unusual sense of humour and cheeky giggle always have me in stitches. I love how close I am with Dominic,and I love how much he trusts me as his older sister. It's nice to be one of the rare few people he'll enjoy hugging and being the one that he will always confide in and be calmed by. ASD isn't a disability, it's just being differently abled. It isn't always easy, but then again- what is? I have learnt to understand you to the best of my ability and learn new things about you frequently. I can only hope that those who love you make as much effort as Mummy, Daddy and I- Because people don't know what they are missing! You make my life worth living and I am so proud to be your sister. I love you so much. In fact I know that I will never, ever love ANYONE half as much as I love you. ♥

Mady just turned 8 on Feb 1st, you will hardly ever see her without her monster high doll. She was diagnosed when she was 4, the doctor said she would never say I love you or be affectionate in any way. Boy was he wrong!! I got mady into school and immediately when i met ms Pam i knew some changes would happen. She helped potty train mady, teach her to brush her teeth, blow her nose, simple things for most kids. The saddest part is that every doctor i took her to wanted to push medicine off on her and either it made her a zombie or made her harm herself worse than she already was. We have been medicine free for a little over 2 years now, her fits are minimal, she follows simple tasks, tells us her needs and wants, and interacts in most things we do. She does have her mady days and is in bad moods, but if we let her draw out her emotions then she quickly calms down. We can all agree life with these kids can be hectic, frustrating and chaotic sometimes, but they sure brighten up your life :) i absolutely cannot imagine and dont want to imagine my life without my mady nor would i want her to be any different because to me she is perfect. autism isn't about making a child fit into your world but trying to fit into theirs.