A couple months ago, I met another mom from the Storm Lake area that is going through a similar situation with her daughter, Ellie. We met by chance...she has business cards that she hands out in public when she cannot either find the words or doesn't have the time to explain the situation with Ellie to those she may encounter. She handed one of these cards to a cashier at Fareway and that card made it's way back to Mike, which of course he brought home to me. I immediately checked out the website/blog she has about Ellie and her family's fight with autism and left a comment for her, thanking her for sharing Ellie's situation with those that are not familiar.
To make a long story just a little shorter, we are becoming fast friends and have realized just how much we have in common. Both of our children developed typically until before their 2nd birthday and then started regressing. Both Ellie and Brycen are 3, both received AEA services, our youngest daughters are within a couple months of each other (she also has an older daughter) and we both are scared and keep an attentive eye on our younger ones for any sign of regression as they get closer to the age that Ellie and Brycen regressed. There are so many similarities, yet Brycen and Ellie are so different in their symptoms and behaviors related to autism.
I want everybody that reads this to keep Ellie and Angie in their thoughts and prayers as they continue to fight their battle with autism! Please check out Angie's blog about Ellie (I have attached a link below) and keep updated on her progress just like you do with Brycen.
Two different families...same fight against a horrible and tragic disorder that affects our two very different children!
http://fightautism.webs.com
"When one door of happiness closes, another opens;
but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us."
Helen Keller
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
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Autism and Our Family
"Autism"----It's one word that can change the life of a child and family in so many ways. Autism Spectrum Disorders are being diagnosed at a rate of 1 in 68 children currently. If you do not already know someone that has been diagnosed, the statistics say it won't be long before you do.
Our son developed typically until around the time he turned 2 years old. We heard words...we saw him play with other kids...we watched as he played with his toys appropriately...we made eye contact with him...overall we understood his wants and needs. In a matter of a few months, that was all taken away from him. He began lining up toys, lost all of his words and signs except for one word "ball", ignored other kids, could not sleep through the night, lost eye contact and the ability to follow directions, and he had no way of letting us know what he wanted or how he felt. It was heartbreaking to see something happening to our child that we couldn't stop!
Brycen began receiving home therapy 1-2 times per month for about 6 months before we realized it wasn't just developmental delays. We knew it was Autism...we just didn't want to say it outloud to anyone. He was officially diagnosed with Autism (classic form and regressive), as well as Mental Retardation in August 2009 by the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.
We continue to learn as we make our way through this journey with Brycen and we will continue to share this journey with you on this blog! The blog has been a great therapy for us to be able to vent our frustrations and struggles with accepting that we have a child with special needs, while sharing how blessed we are to have a child teach us what life truly means. It has also been a great way to inform others of his progress and changes over the last couple of years.
Thank you for your support of Brycen and our family! We hope you are able to learn something through this blog no matter if you are a parent of a child with special needs or a neurotypical child, a teacher or therapist, a family member, or just someone that is interested in the journey that a family goes on as they learn their child is battling a life-long disorder.
Our son developed typically until around the time he turned 2 years old. We heard words...we saw him play with other kids...we watched as he played with his toys appropriately...we made eye contact with him...overall we understood his wants and needs. In a matter of a few months, that was all taken away from him. He began lining up toys, lost all of his words and signs except for one word "ball", ignored other kids, could not sleep through the night, lost eye contact and the ability to follow directions, and he had no way of letting us know what he wanted or how he felt. It was heartbreaking to see something happening to our child that we couldn't stop!
Brycen began receiving home therapy 1-2 times per month for about 6 months before we realized it wasn't just developmental delays. We knew it was Autism...we just didn't want to say it outloud to anyone. He was officially diagnosed with Autism (classic form and regressive), as well as Mental Retardation in August 2009 by the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.
We continue to learn as we make our way through this journey with Brycen and we will continue to share this journey with you on this blog! The blog has been a great therapy for us to be able to vent our frustrations and struggles with accepting that we have a child with special needs, while sharing how blessed we are to have a child teach us what life truly means. It has also been a great way to inform others of his progress and changes over the last couple of years.
Thank you for your support of Brycen and our family! We hope you are able to learn something through this blog no matter if you are a parent of a child with special needs or a neurotypical child, a teacher or therapist, a family member, or just someone that is interested in the journey that a family goes on as they learn their child is battling a life-long disorder.
Hi there Melissa.. I followed the link for little Ellie... I recognize Sarah from swimming lessons and MOPS. I noticed on FB you talked about respite care. My mom helps out with my nephew. Grandma is the next best thing behind mom and dad!!
ReplyDeletethinking of you and Angie!
Monica
Hey Melissa - So very kind of you to ask others to think and pray for us as well. We will take all the prayers we can get. As tragic and frustrating as our lives have become, I am so very thankful for the relationships that it has brought us. I really believe there is power and strength in the networking between families; especially moms!
ReplyDeleteHUGS - Angie
So very happy that your support system just continues to grow!! God works in wonderous ways!! xo Nancy
ReplyDeleteI just reread my post.. my sister Sarah has a son with autism... I meant to say Angie instead of Sarah... bear with me... sometimes
ReplyDelete(most times) I am a ding bat! :o)
Monica Mitts