Stories from the Community

Autism Awareness Contest Entry: Jennifer’s Wish for the Future

Jennifer is the mother of a young boy with autism and also works with individuals with communication disorders. Her wish for the future is for everyone to see the gifts people with autism possess instead of focusing on what they can’t do. A couple of years ago, as my son was exhibiting the insidious onset of the signs of Autism at 2 years of age, I was busy in graduate school readying myself for a profession which supported people with all types of communication disorders. Who would I work with: children or adults? Which disorders, if any,... [Read more]

Autism Awareness Contest Entry: Erin’s Story

Erin is a young woman with autism who submitted this story to our contest. Her wish is to have everyone understand her and accept her for who she is. I hope everyone finds this story insightful and inspiring as I do. If there is one thing I’d like you to know about me, it’s that I have Asperger’s Syndrome. I’m a 21 (soon to be 22) year-old woman, and life can be a struggle sometimes. I wasn’t diagnosed until I was in 11th grade. It took this long probably because I was a female, and I got good grades. However, school was very rough,... [Read more]

Autism Awareness Contest Entry: Jennifer’s Hope

This story was submitted by Jennifer, the mother of a young boy with autism. She, like many of you, struggle with the difficulty of coping with members of our society who expect individuals with autism to “act normal” because they “look normal”. She’s recently learned an important life lesson from the unlikeliest of places: her niece who was recently adopted from China. Read on and be inspired! “Wash your hands for dinner!” Drew comes toward the sink and then takes a step back. “Mom. I can’t.” I look at the... [Read more]

Autism Awareness Contest Entry: Amy’s Story

Amy is the mother of a nine year old boy with autism. She and her family have had to make the difficult decision to put their little boy in a residential home. This is a difficult decision for any parent and one that is not taken lightly. Her wish for herself and for everyone in the world is to remember not to judge others because there’s no way another person can understand what the other person is going through. Our hearts go out to Amy, her son and the rest of her family at this time of need. What I Want For the Future May first has always... [Read more]

Autism Awareness Contest Entry: Rachel’s Wish

This story was an entry submitted to the Autism Awareness Month 2011 Contest. Rachel is the sister of a young boy with autism. She tells her story of what it’s like to be the sibling of a child with autism. She has a unique perspective we rarely are lucky enough to hear. She tells her story very eloquently! Thank you, Rachel, for sharing your story with the Autism Community! Autism and my wish for the future. I sit here very overwhelmed; how could I ever fully express all my thoughts in just a few paragraphs… what should I choose to share,... [Read more]

Autism Awareness Contest Winner is Jennifer

Our Autism Awareness Month Contest 2011 Winner is Jennifer! Jennifer is the mother of a boy with Aspergers. She, like the rest of you, is working day in and day out to help her child be successful and find happiness in the world. Living with autism can be a struggle because you’re wondering every day if you’ve made the right choices and if you’re doing everything you can be doing to help your child. Well, the truth is no one has a definitive answer to that BUT if every day you’re striving to help your child communicate,... [Read more]

A Grandmothers Advice to Family Members

This was posted today on Autism Speaks Social Network by Missi Wallace, a grandmother of a young boy with Autism. Her advice to family members of individuals with autism is priceless. Enjoy! “Autism is all about family. Actually, any disorder, disease, or delay that can affect a child’s ability to become a fully functioning child or a self-sufficient adult is all about family. The immediate family, the extended family, friends of the family. Even medical, therapeutic, and educational professionals who have frequent contact with the family... [Read more]

The Most Fulfilling Life Imaginable – by Abby

This is the story of how I became involved in the lives of people with autism and their families. It’s been a long and winding road, but here I am. There are so many people to thank for guiding me down this path, and I’m forever indebted to them. Please read on and find out how I became the person I am today. Abby Twyman, M.Ed, BCBA - Autism Community Editor In the spring of 2003 I graduated with an undergraduate degree in neurobiology. Many of my peers were headed to medical school or graduate school, but I wasn’t quite ready to make that... [Read more]