About Us

My name is Diana. I have a son named David who was originally diagnosed as PDDNOS, autism combined with ADHD on August 19, 1998 at 5 years old by a doctor from Mary Bridge Children's Hospital. That diagnosis has now been modified to Autistic Spectrum Disorder. I had suspected for some time that he had ADHD as the hyperactivity was very evident since he was 2 years old. I had discussed it with our family doctor when he was almost 4 years old but she gave me negative feedback concerning testing. Her son had ADHD and she did not like the effect that medication had on him. She discouraged me from having the problem checked. We recently changed our health insurance company and our new doctor suggested he be evaluated on his first visit to see her. I was surprised to learn that David was autistic but many things that I had thought unusual about him now begin to clearly make sense. I have 2 older daughters, now 16 and 20 and had not been around little boys much so all of the autistic symptoms I thought were just a "boy thing".

When I first was told David's diagnosis, I had no knowledge of PDD. In trying to get information, I found there was very little available. I met another mother online, Lisa, with a son named Matthew who is about the same age as David. Matthew's symptoms are very similar to David's and his mother was a great support to me in this new adventure. She mailed me a book called "A Parent's Guide to Autism" by Charles A. Hart. (See my Books Page) She told me it should be the first book I read to help me understand this. She was right. That book was a wonderful source of information. I was able to recognize behaviors that are part of the autism for what they are. Lisa has encouraged me as I went through the emotional roller coaster of accepting the problem and finding ways to deal with it and get the support all of us parents need.
David is now 7 years old. He spent a year in an autism specific program during which time his communication skills improved greatly! When he finished that program it was difficult to decide where to place him. He was too high functioning for the school district's autism classrooms and yet the inclusion programs in the regular classes had not dealt with autism. I chose to put David in regular 1st grade (inclusion) and had the school district provide a full time para professional to help him. I spent a lot of time before school began and during this year "training" the teacher. I helped her to understand his autism and she learned which behaviors she could help change. The first 4 months of the year were a struggle and many times she wondered if it could succeed. Then around Christmas time he suddenly seemed to feel more settled. He is reading and writing and doing math on the same level as his peers. Though I initially had great concerns about how his classmates would treat him I have been amazed to find he is one of the most popular kids! Putting him in regular class was the right choice for himbut it would not have worked without the constant communication and support between his teacher and I. I keep a notebook in his backpack that the she and I write to each other in. She can share concerns and ask for advice, I am able to help my child succeed and feel assured he is getting what he needs. Especially for parents of special needs children, there is a feeling of having lost control of a large part of your life. Making a stand and letting your voice be heard helps you to gain back some of that.
I am now Vice-president of our local chapter of the Autism Society and one of my roles is as a parent advocate. I am working with the school district administration to change things in the system. Parents should not have to "teach the teacher" in order for their child to succeed. With autism becoming so widespread it is important for the school districts to keep up. Most school districts have had only one type of program for autistic or "autistic like" children. They are required by law to provide what is needed for your child. Contact your local PAVE to get help dealing with the school district.Remember, don't let them make your child fit the program, make them fit a program to your child. You are your child's only advocate, make your voice a strong one!