Every 20 minutes in the United States a child is diagnosed with Autism.
In January 2011 I heard the word "autism" used to describe my son Nicholas for the first time, He was 2.
Following that fateful visit with the Behavioral Pediatrician, I visited many other professionals including medical doctors, speech pathologists, occupational therapist, and behaviorists. The list seemed endless. The common message I was given: not to get my hopes up, Autism is not curable and many people go into financial hardship tying to do the impossible. In fact, I was told my 2 year old son may never speak. All I could think was that I will never hear him say "I love you mommy".
Refusing to give up on my son, I spent hundreds of hours searching the internet, reading books, and watching educational videos. I did this all because I was sure Nicholas could grow far beyond his label, I wanted him to have the best future despite his Autism diagnosis. I wanted to hear his voice.
I was sure there were ways to teach Nicholas, and I was right. But so were the experts -- I was about to put my family into financial despair by chasing any glimmer of a chance Nicholas could reach his full potential and maybe even speak.
Fast forward one year later...
With tools like iPad, speech therapy, Applied behavior analysis, Occupational therapy and lots of patience and money Nicholas did learn to speak, although still very far behind his "typical' peers. His improvements are outstanding! I am so proud of him. and yes, he even says "I love you".
Stacy Maillet
In January 2011 I heard the word "autism" used to describe my son Nicholas for the first time, He was 2.
Following that fateful visit with the Behavioral Pediatrician, I visited many other professionals including medical doctors, speech pathologists, occupational therapist, and behaviorists. The list seemed endless. The common message I was given: not to get my hopes up, Autism is not curable and many people go into financial hardship tying to do the impossible. In fact, I was told my 2 year old son may never speak. All I could think was that I will never hear him say "I love you mommy".
Refusing to give up on my son, I spent hundreds of hours searching the internet, reading books, and watching educational videos. I did this all because I was sure Nicholas could grow far beyond his label, I wanted him to have the best future despite his Autism diagnosis. I wanted to hear his voice.
I was sure there were ways to teach Nicholas, and I was right. But so were the experts -- I was about to put my family into financial despair by chasing any glimmer of a chance Nicholas could reach his full potential and maybe even speak.
Fast forward one year later...
With tools like iPad, speech therapy, Applied behavior analysis, Occupational therapy and lots of patience and money Nicholas did learn to speak, although still very far behind his "typical' peers. His improvements are outstanding! I am so proud of him. and yes, he even says "I love you".
Stacy Maillet