Living With Autism

I have had a lot of people ask me over the last almost 19 years what it's like to raise a Autistic child. Like raising any other child it has good days and bad days. The only difference with me until Ryan was 8 y.o. he was non verbal which made communicating very tough. He was diagnosed with Autism at 3 y.o. at which time he wasn't  talking but also wasn't walking either.You read in these books on Autism that after their diagnosed you should give yourself time to grieve for the loss of ever having a normal child, but as a single mom I had no time for such nonsense. I have been very lucky with receiving help through the Catholic School Board and Kerry's Place for Autism in Mississauga, Ontario where I live. As for my boy, at 18 y.o. he can't read or write, has bad motor skills, his speech is not the best even now, and mentally will never be more than a 4 y.o. but I will always have a son who believes in Santa and The Easter Bunny for the rest of his life. And when you think about it, it's not so bad. So, even though raising Ryan would definitely not be for everyone, I wouldn't trade my life for anything, and no, it doesn't run in the family.

This is Ryan at 11 months old, no real signs yet. By 22 months big difference. It first shows in their eyes, they have a vacant look in them and they don't smile anymore.