One of our amazing mothers has answered some questions regarding her son's autism. Not only is she a strong and dedicated mother, but she strives to learn everything she can about helping her son. They are an important part of our Koegel family and have continued to show phenomenal progress.
How did you first discover your child had autism? What was your child's age?
When Chris was 18months old something didn't seem right with the way his language skills were progressing, infact his language skills really weren't progressing. When he was just past two years old, I took him into get his hearing checked. The doctor walked in, saw how Chris was interacting with me, told me he was autistic and said he wouldn't give him a hearing check because the problem was autism. He walked out he door after that. No information or how to get help, no explination of what autism was just a very cold and unprofessional diagnosis.
When did you start working with Koegel Autism and what were your first few experiences like?
About four months after that incidence we began to work with the Koegel Center. The best way I can describe it was "WOW". Prior to working with the Koegel Center, Chris had 90 minutes a week of work with a therapist. It didn't help at all, in fact it did less then help. The Koegel Center put in the time that my son so desperately needed. At first, it was intense. We went from 90 minutes a week to 15 HOURS a week. Although a bit of a shock to my son, within two weeks I saw improvement. I don't cry very often but that second week I was a tearful mess from being so happy and relieved that something was making sense to my kido. And the learning and development continues: )
What do you find to be the biggest challenge?
The biggest challenge is not knowing what he needs simply because he cannot communicate. If he's hungry, tired, thirsty or any other of the myriad of feelings my little one has, I don't know. With time things have gotten better, he says "eat" when he is hungry now but to not know what his thoughts or feelings are is a bit maddening at times.
What are the areas your child has made the most gains?
Language. He's got a quick temper and he'll give you both barrels when he can't communicate, but now he is able to express needs with words. It is life changing to not guess what your child needs. Chris had no language when we started with the Koegel Center. Now he sings songs, and although I can't always understand all the words, that is a huge gain.
How has having a child with autism affected the rest of your family?
Well...Chris has always been the center of the universe, just ask his grandparents! But it makes all of his family think about how they interact with him. Everything we do becomes an opportunity for language. If we are playing catch, or watching a movie, or at the beach or at a store every interaction is somewhat over dramatised to peak his interest and some type of language opportunity is used.
What advice can you give other families who are raising an autistic child?
Every day you work with them is a step closer for a brighter future for them. As a parent, it's not about me, it's about getting the help my son needs, reinforcing it at home and never taking a day off from pushing him to do more. Autism will never give your child a day off so neither should you.
What are your expectations for your child?
He will grow up and show everyone that he overcame autism...here I go crying again... I expect him to do whatever it is that the good Lord has planned for his life and he will be able to thanks to the Koegel Center.
What has it been like having Koegel Autism clinicians involved in your life?
I could not imagine where we would be without the Koegel Center or our wonderful clinicains. There is not enough money to pay them with in the world for their dedication and love they have shown my son and our entire family. One of our clinicians we consider family. She is loving and stern and exactly what my son needs, which he might not always be happy about but again it is what he needs. Having someone in your home for sometimes 6 hours a day seems overwhelming but it's great. Every clinician maintains a professional demeanor but with a lot of love for my son. The weekends are strangely quiet at our house when a clinician isn't there: )
