When we look at the definition, it is “a pervasive developmental disorder which affects social and
communication skills and, to a greater or lesser degree, motor and language skills. This is such a broad
diagnosis that it can include people with high IQs and mental retardation. People with autism can be chatty or
silent, affectionate or cold, methodical or disorganized.”
(http://autism.about.com/od/whatisautism/tp/ASDs.htm)
This is, in theory, what everyone knows as autism.
But when you live with someone with autism, you view everything a little differently.
As an autism mom, I define autism uniquely.
 And our definition of autism is permanent, unpredictable, and ever changing.
Did not want to be part of what other people were doing and so he would go into Isolation
Not interested in any toys
No eye contact
Is sensitive to loud sounds or too much commotion
Does not communicate verbally
Meltdowns can last 20 minutes and include screaming, crying, and sometimes hitting and pinching
Picky eater due to the textures of foods
Insomnia/sleepless nights: he will fall asleep and a couple of hours later will wake up and not be able to go
back to sleep for hours
His autoimmune system overreacts to any small cold
These are only a few challenges that we have experienced with our son but are not limited to what others have
faced and will face in the future. In some cases, there are those who have severe characteristics then what we
have encountered, but this is true in our lives. He has improved in some of these areas because of all of the
therapies, and it has become evident that with God’s help and support from our loved ones, and numerous
therapies, Adrian has improved and the process has become a little easier. I don’t think we have all the
answers, but we do know that we have support.
We need to make ourselves aware and sensitive to autism or any disabilities that we may encounter in others.
These individuals are still people with specific feelings of pain, happiness, and even sadness. We may not
understand, but it does not help when we become judgmental. Judgment is destructive while patience is
constructive.
To us, our son means the world and everything that is mentioned below is a quick description of who he is.
A wesome
D etermined
R esilient
I ntelligent
A ffectionate
N urturing
​

Fearfully and wonderfully made - Psalm 139:14