Originally Posted by nutella_freak

I have a son, now 14, who has PDD-NOS under the spectrum of Autism. He high functioning as well. He was very difficult as a baby. He is my first child so I would always hear people saying he's late doing EVERYTHING but he's my first so you never want to believe that anything is wrong with your precious angel. Doctors would say he's just late but I knew deep down. Yep, with time, I couldn't deny that he wasn't like other children. I truly believe I was chosen to have him. He's awesome! I worked very hard with him as a child. He started in our school district at age 3 and now he's in regular classes with aid in his main courses. This is the first year he is in all regular classes. Comprehension is always so hard for him and of course, comprehension is needed in all classes and life. When he was in second grade, he could read but wouldn't understand a word he read. As a toddler we could never take a different direction home unless we would hear the screams of terror the entire trip. Repetition was a way of life. I couldn't grocery shop without the awful people looking at me like I was the worst mother ever because he'd scream and cry the entire shopping trip. There were many times I would have loved to say, my child is autistic, mind your own business especially since he kept his comfort in the form of a pacifier all the way to age 5. Potty trained also at 5 years of age. I have always second guessed myself about coming clean with everyone including classmate about his disability but children can be so cruel, adults as well. Last year he took him yearbook to school because he saw other children sign each other's book and I didn't want him to take it because I knew what would happen but my husband said to let him. He brought his yearbook home with fag/gay, etc, written in pen all over the book. This will be what his memory is of 7th grade. I purchased another for him to keep and let the office keep the damaged one. This year he has friends, actual friends! It's so hard to be social and at times he says and does things that are really inappropriate but together we're learning. I would never have thought he would even know what liking a girl felt like but this is the first year he has a crush. Yes, he'll probably have his heart broken but who hasn't. I never thought he would be interested in what fashion is in style but yes, he tells me what he wants to wear. I know I'll always have to work with him. We do a lot of preparing as in acting out situations and how to react to certain situations. It's hard but I wouldn't change him because he's amazing. Thanks for letting me share my son.

sandy
(mom to three boys, one who happens to be autistic)