Autism: Surviving and Thriving

Fourteen years ago my youngest 3 boys were diagnosed with autism within a 9 month span. Devastation and grieving followed. Doctors gave me little or no hope, but they didn't know me very well. I refused to believe that my boys were doomed.

My boys are now young men, adults with autism. They are thriving, but every day presents its turmoil and challenges.

My family: husband Mike, sons Ryan 23 yr, Nicholas 21 yr, and Cameron 18 yr. (Ryan and Nick have autism; Cam has recovered from autism.) Our oldest sons, Michael 34 yr and Stuart 25 yr, moved out of the house. Ryan has also moved out, and is still working towards complete independence.

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

More Improvement After Chelation: A Real Conversation

It has now been several weeks since we finished the first round of chelation IVs, and we are seeing and hearing about vast improvements in speech.

About a week ago Nick and I visited Michael, Cody's big brother. Michael had a few friends visiting, which surprised Nick. Like most kids with autism, Nick didn't like the unplanned visitors. I told him we could stay in a back bedroom for a while. He liked that idea. When he got hungry, Nick ventured into the kitchen to get food. While in the kitchen, Michael introduced Nick to Ted. Ted started to ask Nick a few questions on the subject of music, and Michael made sure that both Nick and Ted knew that the other played an instrument. Then Michael left.

Meanwhile, I was in the bedroom reading, and I noticed that Nick had been gone a long time. I went to the kitchen to check on him. I found him talking to Ted. I stayed and listened for about five minutes. They were talking about percussion instruments. I returned to the room to read my book. Time flew by.

"Hey, MOM." I looked up to see Nick. "Mom, I had a long 'conservation', didn't I?"

It took me a moment to understand. "Conversation?" I asked. Nick nodded.

I didn't know how much time had lapsed, but enough for me to read several chapters. I asked Nick, "You've been talking all this time?"

He beamed, "YES! I did good, didn't I?" I agreed.

The next day I found out how long that conversation had been: over 45 minutes. My Nick talked with Ted for almost an hour. Michael said that he heard Ted and Nick talk about music, school, girls, and sports. I was shocked that Nick could talk that long!

There was a time not too long ago that Nick could talk with someone for about five minutes, and then Nick would have to lie down and rest because he was mentally and physically exhausted. Talking for Nick was like running a marathon to an athlete. However, this time Nick was not tired, and he was a happy kid!

Nick had a real conversation!