AUTISM AWARENESS

April is Autism Awareness Month, but April 2nd is Autism's "Light it up Blue" 

in support of Autism Awareness. 

If you look up the definition of AUTISM,

you'll find something like this--

AUTISM: Autism is a developmental disorder that appears in the first 3 years of life, and affects the brain's normal development of social and communication skills. 

It should also say something like, 

AUTISM: A disorder that develops very loving, wonder, super-smart individuals.

I've personally been affected by autism.  I've been blessed with a great nephew that is autistic.  He is the smartest person I've ever had the pleasure of meeting.  

 Meet:

ALEXANDER ELIJAH GABBARD

Alex was born April 12th, 2005. When he was born, (due to a noncaring doctor), he was stuck in the birth canal and upon delivery, wasn't breathing.  They had to resuscitate him.  He then developed jaundice, he had it for 8 days.  After getting over the jaundice, he came home and was perfect.

Alex developed like any other normal child. He actually was advanced.  At 6 months, he said Auntie (I remember this, because "I" was the Auntie he was referring to. He said lots of words. He was very happy and followed directions very well.  He was PERFECT!!!

 At around 1 1/2yrs. I noticed that his speech had slowed. I noticed that he didn't respond when he was called by name.  I mentioned it to Sis and she got upset with me. I was definitely not one of her favorites at this time. She took him to the doctor (an OLD doctor) and he said Alex was just being a normal child. (FALSE DIAGNOSIS)

About 1 1/2yrs later, Sis started Alex in preschool and someone from school asked me "Does she know he's autistic?" I said nope. They told me that I needed to tell her.  I told them "NO, YOU need to tell her". 

That was the beginning. 
I'm leaving out the horrible experience he had at preschool, because, I've heard--"IF you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all".

Sis, found a wonderful school for Alex,

 AT LONDON. It was a God send--literally.

They not only understood autism, but they actually cared. They knew that Alex wasn't being mean, but was autistic. Ms. Joyce was and still is, one of the greatest people to come into our lives.   

MY PERSONAL OPINION, IF YOU WORK WITH CHILDREN, ESPECIALLY, IF YOU'RE A TEACHER--YOU SHOULD HAVE TO HAVE EXTENSIVE TRAINING TO DEAL WITH AUTISTIC CHILDREN. ALEX'S FIRST TEACHER WAS ANYTHING BUT SYMPATHETIC OR KNOWLEDGEABLE OF WHAT AUTISM IS!!!!

Alex went to Ms. Joyce for 2-3yrs, but then it was time for "BIG SCHOOL".

 After having a HORRIBLE experience with his first school. It was decided that we wanted much better for him, which equaled 

LONDON ELEMENTARY!!!

And the fight was on.

You know how kids can live in one county and go to school in another county???  

  Well, it's not that simple, when the child is AUTISTIC.

Laurel County didn't want him. Long story short, they fought & fought. They said that he couldn't go to Laurel County. Sis fought--they then decided that he could go to Laurel, but it had to be Hazel Green (that's the closest school to his house) 

Sis told them, "He will go to this school".

She knew it was the best & she is all about THE BEST for ALEX.

So, Sis packed up and moved to London. The school was so convinced that Sis was "faking residency", they spied on them (not kidding)

After a couple of months, they left them alone. Sis knew what was best for Alex and fought for HIM. That's one of the things wrong with autistic kids--they don't have enough people 

FIGHTING FOR THEM!!!

Alex is now in his 2nd year at London Elementary and he's doing marvelously. The teachers are so good to him and he has improved so much. He's so smart!!  

I just wanna thank God for blessing us with Alex. 

Is autism pleasant--

anything but.

Is autism easy-- 

not at all.

Is autism liveable--

absolutely.

Can autistic kids live a wonderful life--ABSOLUTELY.

Can autistic kids bless you--

MORE THAN WORDS CAN EXPLAIN!!! 
If you ever have the chance to support an autistic child or the parent of an autistic child---don't let that chance pass you up!!! 
ALEX---AUNTEEN LOVES YOU!!!!

Thank you for being such a great blessing in my life. 

Thank you for making my life so much better.

 Thank you for teaching me "Don't sweat the small stuff".