The Beginning

April is Autism Awareness Month, and in an effort to grow acceptance and understanding, I have decided for each day this month to share some perhaps not so interesting bits of information about our life living with Autism.

The best place to start is at the beginning. I’ll never forget the day we had learned of Coleman’s diagnosis. He had just finished his long, hard-fought battle with Leukemia. He was the strongest person we knew, and we rejoiced when it was over, relieved that his suffering had ended and filled with excitement for him for what was certain to be a great future. After all, he had just survived a trial of a lifetime - only good could await him now. But the treatment had taken its toll on Coleman. After two and half years of chemo, more than 30 lumbar punctures, and weeks of radiation, his small body was weak and tired. Of course he was developmentally delayed. A little more time, we thought, is all he needs. But even with time, sadly, he made little progress. We took him for yet more testing back at Children’s Hospital. And in the tiny, cramped room we once again received news no parent wanted to hear. We were told Coleman, who was then six, had tested at the 12-15 mth old level in all the tests. The Doctor gently told us that Coleman was Autistic, and she sat quietly while Billy and I wept. It was so unfair – after all he had been through, he deserved nothing less than a perfectly full life. And it seemed in that very moment, the very life he fought so hard to keep was ripped from him without so much as a sound.

A lot has changed since that day not very long ago, and though still unfair, his life has not been taken from him. It’s just changed. There are highs and lows, just like with all of our children. Some are easier, some are harder. But in return, we have been given this remarkable little boy who is loving and funny and, yes, sometimes a pain in the butt.