And the Award for biggest pain in the ass goes to.....

When Jake was born I knew there was something not quite "normal" about him. His development was very slow. At 17 months of age he began treatment 3-4 times a week. OT, PT, Speech, Sensory and Cognitive therapy became part of our daily life.

In September of 2003 we were told that our son had Autism and that his future abilities were unknown - there was a high chance that he would not speak in full sentences, run, write or live independently.

10 years, tens of thousands of dollars and 10 million tears later my son is living proof that Children on the Spectrum should never be counted out. Parents that are given that terrible news need to know that while it may feel that way at the time - AUTISM is NOT a deal breaker in the future accomplishments of our children.

With the right early intervention and therapies your children may recover lost language , gain and develop new skills and blow you away with their abilities.

My boy has been in a self contained Autistic Support classroom since kindergarten. He attends public school and this year for the first time he was placed in a Mainstreamed Science and Social Studies class. At first there were some struggles but he got the hang of it. Homework was hard - studying for tests was often a battle but HE DID IT. Today he was honored with not 1 but 2 awards in front of his 6th grade class, much of the faculty and other parents. Jake won Most Improved Student certificates for MATH and for his REGULAR Education classes of Science/Social Studies.

I am over the moon proud of him and his accomplishments. As we look forward to ESY and then 7th grade this fall I am anxious to see what other "gifts" he shows the world.

It might not seem like much to you - but to my family it means everything.

Jake - age 12, 6th grade 2013