“I was 23 weeks pregnant when Ari was born. She was a micro preemie, and weighed just 1 pound, 4 ounces. Because her lungs were very premature she couldn’t breathe on her own, so she was intubated. Then they did a trach, and then a … Continue readingMicro preemie has come long way in 5 years
“I’m not a fast learner or academically gifted or as talented as other people here at Lee College. But I try very hard. “I failed a math course last semester. I tried. I even got help from a professor, but I still failed. But that … Continue readingAutism ‘isn’t going to stop me’
“I was diagnosed with autism when I was 6 years old. My dad didn’t really understand what autism was. I asked, ‘Is there something wrong with me?’ My mom said, ‘No. It just means that you’re special. It means that you’re unique, not like everyone … Continue readingSports families boost student with autism
D: “Alex has what’s called pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified. It’s a type of autism.” K: “He’s considered intellectually disabled as well. He functions like a wonderful, beautiful child with all the funny things. He’s like a 4-year-old with the hormones of a 29-year-old. So … Continue readingSeeing world through autistic son’s eyes
“I have older kids, and then I also raised my stepsons. I thought I was done. But when I remarried, I decided that, you know, time is closing so … And Carlos has really been a blessing to us. When he came along, I remember … Continue readingThis young guy brings sunshine to his family
“He was probably 4 or 5 when we really started noticing things. When bathroom hand dryers came on, he’d start screaming because they were too loud. When it was hot outside, the heat was way worse for him than for us. And the lights bothered … Continue readingShe wants the best for her son with Asperger’s
“Our daughters are different. Our oldest one is very outgoing and determined. The younger one, not as much. We have to push her on some things. She’s slightly autistic, very minor. So we’re just trying to get her out of her shell. “We didn’t learn … Continue readingMom encourages daughter who wants to be librarian
“After the Hurricane Harvey, this nonprofit organization called Just the Crumbs from Sumrall, Mississippi, came here. They started providing meals for all of the flooding victims. We were looking for something that Adam could do to help. That’s when Laurine had this idea that maybe … Continue readingHurricane Harvey helpers get some assistance
“Adam just loved school. He loved everything about it. He liked being around the people. He liked all of the socialization. He liked the jobs he got to do. His last job was at Tractor Supply. He helped with stocking. He put purchases in people’s … Continue readingMom believes her son ‘deserves the best’
“Right before Adam turned 2, that’s when we found out he was autistic. There definitely were signs. Because he was our only child, some of the signs I probably didn’t recognize as early as I should have or could have. “David and I were a … Continue readingLife on the road helped coach’s autistic son