I remember the evening so clearly. I can't tell you the exact date, sometime in April 2011, but I remember Henry and I walking into my parent's home and Henry went right for the H O M E blocks that were on their entry way dresser like he did every other time we went over there. But this time was different. As my mom greeted us, and as he began lining said blocks on the floor, right where the entry way tile and living room carpet met, I, without thinking about what my mother's response would be, blurted out,
"Do you think Henry has autism?"
Henry was born on Christmas Eve, 2008. He was a very laid back baby who had such a fun personality and continued to meet developmental stages normally. He was crawling by 5 months, walking by 10 months, loved eating and cuddling and his first word was "cookie." He loved talking and could do animal sounds like a pro.
Until, he stopped. He stopped using words and started using a lot of gibberish sounds and/or grunts. He stopped engaging and made less eye contact. It felt like sometimes, we were yelling just to get his attention. He had a play routine that involved less imagination and more lining up things. He got frustrated and talking him thru things could be complicated. All things could be typical 2 year old behavior but when a mother's gut is telling you something different, the best thing to do is listen.
After a hard conversation with Jared about what I was noticing and what I was feeling, we made an appointment with a Developmental Pediatrician. We began the process of elimination. Hearing tests. Speech and Occupational Evaluations. Our pediatrician wasn't completely convinced on giving a diagnosis but it was certain that Henry had developmentally slowed down and we had options.
Instead of choosing a diagnosis right away, our doctor recommended Early Childhood Education. To most, that could be frustrating to not get a diagnosis right away, but honestly... we weren't ready for a diagnosis. We were hopeful that Henry maybe just needed some extra help he would get back to the very engaging toddler that we once witnessed for a short time. So, for 6 months, Henry was a part of the Birth to 3 program doing individual therapy and group social therapy and well as occupational and speech therapy. When he turned 3 he began developmental preschool thru the school district.
At the end of his last year in preschool, we all agreed on the same... Henry had made great gains, but he just continued to lack socially and emotionally. In all the surreal-ness of our changed life I never felt hopeless. Did I mourn the potential loss of what Jared and I had dreamt and hoped for our son? Naturally, yes. It sometimes felt we were taking more two steps backwards than forward. But we rejoiced in the one step forward. We celebrated EVERY victory and recognized the work that still needs to be done to help Henry become successful in all that he does. So, when it was time for an official diagnosis in the summer of 2014, we were ready. We were ready for all the hard work that was going to be required. We were ready for the special ed, for the therapies, and for the short bus. We were ready for the labels but chose to live a life as unlabeled as possible. We chose to not allow Autism as a crutch or and excuse. And this is why...
Henry is Smart.
Henry is Funny.
Henry is kind and compassionate.
Henry is thoughtful.
Henry loves his sisters.
Henry loves Jesus.
Henry loves Pixar.
Henry loves to draw.
Henry loves friendship.
Henry loves to cuddle.
Henry loves Star Wars.
Henry loves chocolate cupcakes.
Henry loves legos.
Henry is beautifully and wonderfully made.
"Do you think Henry has autism?"
Henry was born on Christmas Eve, 2008. He was a very laid back baby who had such a fun personality and continued to meet developmental stages normally. He was crawling by 5 months, walking by 10 months, loved eating and cuddling and his first word was "cookie." He loved talking and could do animal sounds like a pro.
Until, he stopped. He stopped using words and started using a lot of gibberish sounds and/or grunts. He stopped engaging and made less eye contact. It felt like sometimes, we were yelling just to get his attention. He had a play routine that involved less imagination and more lining up things. He got frustrated and talking him thru things could be complicated. All things could be typical 2 year old behavior but when a mother's gut is telling you something different, the best thing to do is listen.
After a hard conversation with Jared about what I was noticing and what I was feeling, we made an appointment with a Developmental Pediatrician. We began the process of elimination. Hearing tests. Speech and Occupational Evaluations. Our pediatrician wasn't completely convinced on giving a diagnosis but it was certain that Henry had developmentally slowed down and we had options.
Instead of choosing a diagnosis right away, our doctor recommended Early Childhood Education. To most, that could be frustrating to not get a diagnosis right away, but honestly... we weren't ready for a diagnosis. We were hopeful that Henry maybe just needed some extra help he would get back to the very engaging toddler that we once witnessed for a short time. So, for 6 months, Henry was a part of the Birth to 3 program doing individual therapy and group social therapy and well as occupational and speech therapy. When he turned 3 he began developmental preschool thru the school district.
At the end of his last year in preschool, we all agreed on the same... Henry had made great gains, but he just continued to lack socially and emotionally. In all the surreal-ness of our changed life I never felt hopeless. Did I mourn the potential loss of what Jared and I had dreamt and hoped for our son? Naturally, yes. It sometimes felt we were taking more two steps backwards than forward. But we rejoiced in the one step forward. We celebrated EVERY victory and recognized the work that still needs to be done to help Henry become successful in all that he does. So, when it was time for an official diagnosis in the summer of 2014, we were ready. We were ready for all the hard work that was going to be required. We were ready for the special ed, for the therapies, and for the short bus. We were ready for the labels but chose to live a life as unlabeled as possible. We chose to not allow Autism as a crutch or and excuse. And this is why...
Henry is Smart.
Henry is Funny.
Henry is kind and compassionate.
Henry is thoughtful.
Henry loves his sisters.
Henry loves Jesus.
Henry loves Pixar.
Henry loves to draw.
Henry loves friendship.
Henry loves to cuddle.
Henry loves Star Wars.
Henry loves chocolate cupcakes.
Henry loves legos.
Henry is beautifully and wonderfully made.
