New April 2, 2008 (WORLD AUTISM AWARENESS DAY)
Autism for us, is not like what you hear on the news. Matthew did not speak until he was 7. I've met 2 other young boys like Matthew in the past. I wish the media would portray the true deeper severe levels of autism, and not just the ones that act much more average, and talkative. If you have met Matthew, you will never forget him. He is my first born, my angel. The odd behavior makes everyone stare, it used to bother me until something happened to make me understand the ignorance and lack of education on autism that is around us. Now I'm just thankful that Matthew does not know that people are staring and laughing. (But I feel their eyes on us, just like anyone knows when they are being watched. I don't have to make eye contact with people, to feel their glares of disgust, over a boy that is having a great day, yet ruining theirs for no reason but intolerance. Shame on them. He only cries if someone says something to his face about it. He may be in his own world, but he has ears, and a huge heart.
I don't usually post my children's photos to the web but I wanted show this one from 2001, I finally decided to share it with you. It's Matthew, astonished at the millions of snow flakes falling, his first snow in 4 years as we used to live in Hawaii (autism can be so precious too) -more photos of him on Myspace.
.jpg)
PLEASE View This Speech & Language Milestone Chart (is your child where he should be????)
Check Out American Assoc. Of People With Disabilities
Time Magazine - The Secrets Of Autism
Doug Flutie Jr. Foudation For Autism Inc.
WebMD - Studies Point To Autism Cause
Police & Autism - Avoiding Unfortunate Situations
AUTISM RIBBONS, T-Shirts, Bags & More
Autism, ADD/ADHD, and Related Disorders - Is a Common Childbirth Practice to Blame?
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
To My Baby Matthew (though he is growing up)
HEAVEN'S VERY SPECIAL CHILD
A meeting was held quite far from earth,
"It's time again for another birth",
Said the Angel to the Lord above.
This child will need much love.
His progress may be very slow.
Accomplishments he may not show.
And he'll require extra care, from the
Folks he meets down there.
He may not run, laugh, or play.
His thoughts may seem quite far away.
In many ways he won't adapt.
And he'll be know as handicapped.
So let's be careful where he's sent,
We want his life to be content.
Please Lord, find the parents who
Will do a special job for you.
They'll not realize right away
The leading role they're asked to play.
But with this child sent from above,
Comes stronger faith, and richer love.
And soon they'll know the privileges given,
In caring for their gift from Heaven.
Their precious charge, so meek and mild,
Is "HEAVEN'S VERY SPECIAL CHILD."
I hope you have found something on this site that has helped you, encouraged you, or caused you to get your child diagnosed! The earlier you find out, the more your child can learn in the early years! It will show in years to come!
When Matthew was born, autism was found in only 1 out of 10,000. Now its skyrocketed to 1 in 166! Start praying!!!!!
(Email Mary - mom of 15 yr. old young man with severe autism)