Our journey with our son’s autism diagnosis began when he was just two years old. Now, at the age of nine, we often encounter questions from friends and family about our experiences. Did we notice anything unusual earlier on? Did things improve over time? In hindsight, there were some signs in his early development. For instance, he would frequently rock his feet back and forth; a pediatrician referred to this as stereotyped movements. A quick search online revealed this behavior could be linked to autism.
Yet, at that moment, he was always beaming with joy, and I couldn’t fathom that a small child could exhibit indicators of autism. As time went on, however, we noticed a sudden regression. He became non-verbal, lost eye contact, and spent much of his time either shaking his head or fixating on his hands. He didn’t respond to his name and rarely pointed at objects. With my brother being autistic, we quickly came to understand the challenges we were facing.
Recognizing these signs early on allowed us to embrace the diagnosis without hesitation. His diagnosis at such a young age paved the way for early intervention. We arranged for a statement of special educational needs, and he began attending a specialized school. Undoubtedly, this was the best decision we made for him.
The choice wasn’t easy, given his tender age. He started full-time school just three months before turning three, and he appeared so tiny in his uniform. Fortunately, the staff at the school were well-versed in autism and quickly implemented techniques tailored to his needs, such as the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS). Since then, he has made tremendous strides; he’s developed some speech and is an avid reader—achievements I attribute to the support he received at school.
Thanks to early intervention, he has accomplished milestones we once feared would be unattainable. However, autism will always be a part of him; he will forever remain on the severe end of the spectrum.
Despite the challenges, our life is not solely defined by difficulties. Autism brings unique obstacles, yet it also comes with moments of joy. Our son is who he is, and we love him wholeheartedly. Still, I won’t pretend it’s easy.
Communication can be particularly challenging. He experiences high levels of anxiety, anger, and overwhelm, and I often wish I could alleviate that for him. We do our best to help him navigate those feelings. Yet, amidst the struggles, he enjoys blissful moments, sometimes laughing at seemingly nothing. He is unbothered by how others perceive him, living life on his own terms.
There are days when I find myself in tears, wishing I could shield him from his struggles. It’s normal to feel this way, yet I sometimes grapple with feelings of inadequacy. This sentiment serves neither of us, but he has shown me that I possess the strength to rise after setbacks. Although we never envisioned a life intertwined with autism, this journey is undeniably challenging, yet it also brings profound happiness.
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In summary, we made a crucial decision to pursue early intervention following our son’s autism diagnosis, significantly impacting his development and our family’s journey. While challenges remain, we find joy and strength in our experiences together.
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