Bursts of Hope: 3 families break stigmas of autism

It is difficult for parents when they know their child is intelligent, but other people are not able to see it.

During my time teaching at a developmental preschool, I met some terrific children with autism. Autism, or autism spectrum disorder, is a group of complex disorders related to brain development that can cause significant social, communication, and behavioral challenges. One in 68 children has been identified with autism.

There were wonderful surprises in teaching, like a few children with autism who could read accurately and at exceedingly high levels by age 3. I asked parents how their child learned to read and the parents replied with, “He just started reading. I don’t know how he learned.”

Teaching, along with my experience as a parent provider of a young man with cerebral palsy, have allowed me to appreciate people with developmental disabilities and understand them as extraordinary, complex, and interesting human beings.

As with all people, no two individuals with autism are alike. So I was eager to sit down with the parent providers of three young men with autism to chat about their lives.

Tim has an amazing memory according to his mom, who was surprised when he remembered the house they lived in 15 years ago. Jeremy’s mom noticed he had a talent for matching words with pictures at a very early age and long before reading was introduced. Kyle quickly picked up reading sheet music and playing instruments in the school band.

All of these young adults have challenges and they have extraordinary gifts. The world outside these families may only see the challenges, but I hope to share some of the solutions families have found, lessons learned, and the joy families have because of their amazing, extraordinary child.