S.H.
Hi A.~I'm not a mom, but an aunt of an Autistic niece. She was diagnosed about the age of 3. She is now 15 and truely the most amazing person I have had the pleasure of having in my life and heart. Her parents had to make a very difficult decision as to how to treat her and look towards the future with optimism...They eventually decided that they would sacrafice financially by one of them becoming a stay at home parent. They chose for her Father to resign his job and stay home since her Mother made the greater income. They then fought the system with government assistance, and started with a "shadow specialist" to come to their home 5 days a week. When she became old enough to begin school they decided on public with a shadow teacher. She has been active in everything from Girl Scouts, cheerleading, piano, singing, working in the church nursery to teaching cheerleading....etc.
Now that she is at a volatile age (15), they have chosen to home school her, (father). He also purchased a small motor home so that he could travel with her and actually show her the subjects that she is studying. National monuments, Washington D.C., etc. She is very very out going and loves to joke and be the life of the party, but is able to maintain boundaries. I spoke with her father just this morning and they were busy studying, and like any dad, he is concerned for her future as she grows older and goes out into the world. They are not sure if she will be able to become totally independent or need guidence, but she has come soooooo far. So after reading your request, I felt compelled to give you some positive feed back and let you know that there is so much Love & Light at the end of the tunnel.My email is ____@____.com if you would like to respond directly. S.~
