Mother's Day: An Autism Mom Tells Her Story | Autism Speaks

Summary

In this heartfelt narrative, a mother shares her journey raising two autistic sons. Her older son, Justin, is 12 years old, severely autistic, and nonverbal but has made progress with around 40 words. Her younger son, Zachary, recently turned eight, is mildly autistic, and shows promise for an independent future. She discusses the challenges and triumphs of their developmental differences, the initial struggles with diagnosis, and her hopes for their happiness and safety. Despite the challenges, she emphasizes that progress is possible, and her sons continue to grow in their own unique ways.

Takeaways

• 👪 The family consists of the speaker, Jeff, their 12-year-old son Justin, who has severe autism and is nonverbal, and their 8-year-old son Zachary, who is mildly autistic and shows high potential.
• 👶 The speaker began noticing differences in Justin’s development at six months old, particularly in his lack of eye contact, fixation on spinning objects, and general unhappiness.
• 👨‍⚕️ The pediatrician initially dismissed concerns due to a family history of men speaking late, but eventually suggested autism when Justin was 16 months old, which led to an autism diagnosis.
• 🩺 Zachary developed typically until a stomach issue at two years old caused him to regress developmentally, particularly in speech, dropping back to the level of a 6-month-old.
• 😞 The speaker felt overwhelmed and paralyzed at first but gradually began addressing each challenge one step at a time with therapies and community involvement.
• 📈 Over time, Zachary has made significant progress, going from being disengaged to expressing complex thoughts, such as writing a letter about an injustice in his classroom.
• 🗣️ Justin, although nonverbal, has developed around 40 words he can say on demand, with some spontaneous speech, showing improvement over time.
• 😊 The speaker's primary goal is for both sons to be safe, productive, and happy, recognizing progress and potential in each of them.
• 🎓 The speaker is optimistic about Zachary’s future, believing he will live independently, have friendships, and be happy.
• 💡 The speaker encourages parents of children with autism, noting that even children with severe autism can have a positive future with the right support.

Q & A

Who are the family members mentioned in the script?

The family consists of the speaker, her husband Jeff, their almost 12-year-old son Justin, who has severe autism and is predominantly nonverbal, and their 8-year-old son Zachary, who is mildly autistic.

What were some of the early signs of autism noticed in Justin?

Justin showed early signs such as a preference for spinning things, reduced eye contact, and a general lack of happiness. These signs became concerning around 6 months old.

What prompted the family to seek further evaluations for Justin’s development?

At a 16-month doctor's appointment, the doctor expressed concerns about Justin not walking or talking, which led the family to seek further evaluation. The doctor also handed the family several articles about autism.

How did Zachary’s autism present differently from Justin’s?

Zachary was initially hitting all his developmental milestones but experienced a regression after a severe stomach issue that lasted two months, where his development dropped to that of a 6-month-old.

How did the parents initially respond to the overwhelming challenges of autism diagnosis?

The parents initially felt overwhelmed and paralyzed by the diagnoses, but they gradually began addressing each issue step by step, increasing therapy time and extending Zachary's community involvement.

What recent achievement did Zachary accomplish that highlights his progress?

Zachary recently wrote a letter to his teacher using the word 'injustice' to express his disagreement with a seating arrangement in his classroom, demonstrating significant improvement in communication.

What improvements has Justin made in his communication skills?

Justin now has about 40 words he can say on demand, including 'mama' and 'popcorn,' which he uses spontaneously, showing gradual improvement in his communication abilities.

What are the parents' primary hopes for their sons’ futures?

The parents hope that both Justin and Zachary will be safe and productive in the future. They also emphasize the importance of happiness for both sons, and for Zachary to live independently and have meaningful relationships.

How has the family’s outlook on Justin’s future changed over the years?

The parents initially believed that Justin’s severe autism would limit his future, but they now see that with the right support and progress, it is possible for him to have a great future.

What message does the speaker want to convey to parents of newly diagnosed children with autism?

The speaker wants to encourage parents by sharing that even children with severe autism, like Justin, can make progress and have a positive future with the right interventions and support.