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.

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Anniversaries--When Autism Joined Our Family

Eleven years ago we stole away for ten days.  It was the first such trip since the boys were diagnosed with autism.  Mike's mom came down to take care of the boys.  We had no idea how they would react when they realized we were going to be gone for so long.

At that time, we actually didn't know Ryan and Cameron were autistic.  Only Nick had been diagnosed.  Ryan and Cameron would be diagnosed within a couple of months.  Had we waited to go, I don't think we would have left after hearing the diagnosis of all three.

Thank God for grandmas.  It was a much needed break to refocus on us.  Mike's mom reassured us that all will be well.  Our kids loved her, so we had no doubts.

Well, we did.  We bought cell phones--our first cell phones before we left.  Leaving our kids for the first time for that duration was scary.  We bought cell phones for that "just in case" emergency.  No one ever called for an emergency.

We had a wonderful time celebrating our 13 years.

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