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Apr 20, 2004 Don’t Judge a book by it's cover. That saying was told to me as a child. I guess the reason I remember it because this saying now applies to me and my child. When I go out with my son in public. Most people automatically assume that I am a bad mother, because Uriah tan drums in public. Little do they know…my beautiful, wonderful little boy has Autism. My son, Uriah is a normal little boy in so many ways. Like most little boys and girls he loves to run and play. The only difference is that he is Autistic. Uriah was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder in June of 2000. As a mother, I felt guilty because I thought it was caused by something I had done. There hasn’t been a time that I haven’t sat and went over the events of my pregnancy and the delivery . Which was normal. From my point of view. I went to every prenatal visits, I took the vitamins . I did everything I was suppose to do, being that this was my first child. Of course now ,I realize that I couldn't of done anything to control the Autism. Yet, that doesn't stop the hurt that I feel. With Autism, I find myself struggling to keep my Childs life as normal and stress free as possible. Like many, I had never heard of this disorder before 2000. It took a neurological doctor to explain that it is a developmental disability. Uriahs’ mind works like a one and half year olds. He has little or no speech, he tan drums a lot, which has led to a behavioral problem. As a mother, I want him to experience the same things other kids do, But I find it hard for him to do so. Not because the kids aren't excepting of his Autism, but because of the Adults. I guess, they feel that if Uriah plays with their kids in the park, etc. then their kids might become "Special" too! Things like that have not stopped me from taking Uriah out, I just explain to them that Uriah's brain works a little different from everybody else’s. Because Uriah has Autism, I found it hard to find child care for him, and when I did find it would cost a mini fortune, since he has to be watched at all times. Most people know that you can’t just pop a Barney© video in, and expect him to sit down. He has to watched as if a toddler, so he won’t put something in his mouth, or cut himself because Uriah has a high tolerance for pain. In December of 2000, I decided to leave my job to care for him full-time. It hasn't been easy going from a two income household down to one. I guess, in my mind there was going to be a system set up to help me financially. I quickly discovered there wasn't. In the beginning, Uriah had qualified for S.S.I disability, but when my husband received a raise at work, he was cut off. My son is now in a public school program for special needs children, and I keep being told he could use extra Speech and Occupational therapy. Something my husbands' insurance doe not cover. I find myself working with flash cards and the like at home hoping this will help until his Autism Waiver is approved. ( I have been told this can take up to 7 years). I never regret that Uriah is here, because I realize that my son gives me a purpose. A few weeks ago, Uriah said "I Love you" for the first time and gave me a hug. There are no words that could describe the feelings I felt that day. My life's joy is to help Uriah succeed in what ever he wants to do now and in the future, and to let other people know that when they see a child acting out in the store or whatever, don't just assume it's bad parenting. It just maybe a special child acting out...and they can not help themselves. That's why it's not good to judge a book by it's cover. ------------ Caroline Washington is a native of Indiana. She is married and the mother of one. She has written two books ( High Stakes and My Own Words-Chopping Down the Weeds). For more information log on to: www.herlittlesecret.net or email: Tell a friend about this site! ------------ |
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