“I knew from the time Cole was six months old that something was off. I’d always been told that when a baby was breastfed, there would be a special connection, but that didn’t happen with him. There was a lot of bonding on my end, but nothing on his. He was so smart, even at a few months old, yet if he hurt himself, he didn’t cry. He didn’t recognize pain, didn’t look me in the eye, and wouldn’t turn toward me when I talked to him or called his name. Nothing I did got his attention. I was a first-time mother, so I wasn’t sure of myself, but after our second child was born, it became more obvious that something was wrong. He was older by then, but his speech wasn’t developing properly, he flapped his hands, toe-walked, and covered his ears at certain sounds. The pediatrician ordered testing, and at sixteen months, he was diagnosed as moderate to severe on the autism spectrum. My husband was devastated. Because he’s in the military and had been deployed for much of Cole’s life, he hadn’t seen the signs up close the way I had and was really caught off guard.
“As soon as we had the diagnosis, we got help. Early intervention is so important if you suspect a problem or if you just have a feeling that something’s not right. Cole’s been in therapy for years now with the Harwood Center and has made so much progress. He’ll be five next year and will start kindergarten. For his future, I see things I never saw before: I see a school system where he’s in a normal classroom. I see him getting a job, moving out of the house, and having a real life. I didn’t think that was possible in the beginning. I honestly thought we would be caring for him the rest of our lives, but because of the help he’s gotten, I think he’ll do great.
“Autism is a medical diagnosis that he will most likely always have, but that doesn’t mean he is incapable of living a full and happy life like any other child. I love him so much, and I'm so proud of him. I especially love his hugs and kisses. And in those rare moments when he just wants to take my face in his hands and look me in the eye, I know I’ve done the right thing for him.”
“As soon as we had the diagnosis, we got help. Early intervention is so important if you suspect a problem or if you just have a feeling that something’s not right. Cole’s been in therapy for years now with the Harwood Center and has made so much progress. He’ll be five next year and will start kindergarten. For his future, I see things I never saw before: I see a school system where he’s in a normal classroom. I see him getting a job, moving out of the house, and having a real life. I didn’t think that was possible in the beginning. I honestly thought we would be caring for him the rest of our lives, but because of the help he’s gotten, I think he’ll do great.
“Autism is a medical diagnosis that he will most likely always have, but that doesn’t mean he is incapable of living a full and happy life like any other child. I love him so much, and I'm so proud of him. I especially love his hugs and kisses. And in those rare moments when he just wants to take my face in his hands and look me in the eye, I know I’ve done the right thing for him.”
Website: Harwood Center
FB: https://www.facebook.com/harwoodcenter
The Commercial Appeal: Memphis Harwood Center for children with developmental delays open to all now (9/8/13)
FB: https://www.facebook.com/harwoodcenter
The Commercial Appeal: Memphis Harwood Center for children with developmental delays open to all now (9/8/13)
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