Autism Speaks…Especially in This House
June 11, 2008 by Shannon Nelson
Filed under About Me, Our Beauty Tips
I think it’s great that you all come here everyday to read my makeup reviews, but hopefully I show a little bit of myself that you have grown to love too (?) Today is a little difficult for me to focus on MAC’s most awesomest new lines (OMG I am in love) because my oldest son Gavin, who is 9, was formally diagnosed today with Aspergers. If you are not familiar, it is an autism spectrum disorder.
My 6 year old, Connor, was diagnosed with Pervasive Developmental Disorder (another autism spectrum disorder) a few years ago and well, I knew that was what was going on with him, so the diagnosis fit–no big surprise. He is difficult and wonderful all at the same time. But Gavin? I knew something was going on with him, but could never understand what. He is like Connor just in a different way.
When we had finally gave the doctor the OK to put Gavin on psychiatric meds several months ago, they gave him Straterra. He had bad side effects to it…and dear readers, he tried to kill himself in March. My wonderful loving 9 year old–it devastated me. So I have been taking him to countless doctors since his hospital release and now they all concur what I should’ve seen all along. Aspergers.
It’s not really so bad, there are plenty of famous, brilliant minds who have it. It’s just that schools don’t know how to deal with it–at least not around here. That’s what makes it tough now while he is still young. Having people understand it.
This is what brings me to Autism Speaks. If you are not familiar with autistic spectrum disorders, definitely learn about it and if you are so generous, donate to their charity. Today the Psychiatrist told me that Aspergers diagnosis’ are growing at an alarming rate. It has tripled with 1 in 20 kids now having the disorder. That’s crazy and research needs to be done to find out why.
Autism Speaks…check it out.
*Photo: Brody’s 1st birthday. Gavin is in blue and Connor is in green.
Holy cow! You’ve had a rough few months… I’m so happy to find your blog as I really love makeup. (I’m a Bobbi Brown fan myself … Sorry, I’m old!)
I also have a little boy on the severe end of the spectrum. Thanks for sharing your story!
Wow, I am so impressed you’ve been handling it all so well (posting regularly and all). Good luck to you and your sons in finding the help you need.
They look like awesome kids.
these past few months have had to be very hard for you. as a regular reader for over a year now I never would have guessed you were going throught all this since as meagan has mentioned you have been great with updating the blog. i hope everything works out.
Rough, definitely. I’m still trying to get over my grandfather passing away. :(
I appreciate all your comments and also love hearing about having longtime readers still sticking with me. You all make it worthwhile.
My heart aches for you. I have a dear friend whose daughter was autistic. My friend was a pediatrician. She retired and has spent her whole life researching the disease and attempting to find a cure. You must be a wonderful mom.
wow…my heart goes out to you and your family. One of my best friends’ little brother was diagnosed with autism and I’ve seen how tough it is emotionally. But you seem like a very strong mother and handling it well (with the posting and all)…
Hey there! My wordpress account showed this post as “related” to one of my posts, so I dropped by. I know that a new Autism spectrum diagnosis is a shock to a family, but I also want you to know that having an Autistic/Aspie child, after the initial period of adjustment, is often a wonderful gift to the family.
Kids and teens with an ASD can be difficult, but also very gifted, and their natural abilities and talents are best expressed in a loving and supportive environment that allows them to express themselves in the ways that work for them.
Many people with Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome blog about their lives and experiences. Here are some of my favorites:
http://abfh.blogspot.com
http://lastcrazyhorn.wordpress.com
http://ballasexistenz.autistics.org
You may notice something surprising about all of these bloggers– they don’t want their Autism or Asperger’s cured. It’s part of them, and curing it would be like curing an African-American of blackness or curing a woman of her femaleness. Instead, many Autistic adults want love and acceptance from families, safe outlets for self-expression, and the opportunity to use their skills and talents productively.
You should pick up “Thinking In Pictures” by Temple Grandin, who is an Autistic professor at Colorado State Univeristy and who designed humane systems used at 50% of United States cattled handling facilities. It’s a very complete analysis of the abilities and disabilities that come with her Autism, and why, even though she can’t or won’t do some of the things neurotypical people do, she sees her Autism as essential to who she is– and how she can do some things neurotypicals can’t.
Good luck with your son’s journey, and remember, the most important thing is that he knows that HE is loved and if you ask him to change his behavior, it doesn’t mean that you don’t love who he is.