Autism

My son, Milo, has Autism. I knew at 9 months that he was different. I noticed he wasn't pointing, waving, clapping or imitating. I wasn't worried, because every time I mentioned something to family or friends, they all said the same thing "Oh, don't worry, I'm sure he's fine" treating me like an overreacting parent. It wasn't until he was 15 months old that I knew I wasn't a crazy person. I knew my son wasn't typical, and I searched online for answered. I typed "my child doesn't point, wave, or clap" ...the answer that was flooding the web page was "Autism Autism Autism". My heart broke a little, and I lived in denial for a few months, hoping it was something else. I remember at one time hoping he was deaf. It wasn't until I took him to the audiologist that that dream was dashed. I cringe when I think back to how I acted, or what I thought. I was mourning. Mourning the loss of a typical child, and it seems so silly now, but it was necessary for me to move on and see Milo and how incredible he really is.

I got him involved in a non-profit organization called "Help Me Grow", they help children from birth to three years of age with services such as Occupational therapy, speach and language therapy, behavioral therapy and so on. Milo was receiving all of these things. Although all of the therapist knew he was delayed, none of them had the athority, that a doctor had, to tell me that my son had autism. So I made an appointment with an esteemed neurologist, Dr. Max Wiznitzer. There was a 5 month waiting list, and it was truly the longest 5 months of my life. At this point, I'd done the research, I'd come to terms with Milo's delays, I knew he had autism. what I wanted was the relief of knowing and getting others off my back about it. "Well, they haven't said he has autism, maybe he doesn't"...yeah...right. Finally we had the app. and after the good doctor watch Milo and talked to us for about an hour he said "well, it's obvious that he has autism". You'd think I'd be upset. I wasn't. All I was thinking was "finally. I'm not crazy. finally I can say I know for sure".

Since then Milo's seen therapist after therapist and now is in a special preschool for autistic children. He loves it. He's happy. I used to look at him and see all the difficulties he would face, all the sadness he would endure. Now I look at him and see his future, all the possibilities. What will he become? What can he accomplish? I already know the answer. Anything. I just get to help him along the way.

There was a time in my life when I mourned Autism... now? I love it.