My Piece of the Puzzle (4) An Autism Theme Song

Each day and each experience when living with a child with autism is different.  Each child with autism is different.

For those who don’t know what autism is:

Autism is a developmental disability, which is defined as a syndrome. A syndrome is simply a mix of signs or characteristics that can be used to show a particular condition. Autism is a lifelong condition that combine both developmental and behavioural features.

Translation: Autism is a series of developmental issues in socialization and communication that affect each person differently.

How many of us parents have sat here day after day, wondering how to reach our child with autism?  Or even greater still, wondering how we can make sure that the world around them doesn’t treat them as if they are …damaged goods? 

I have watched my daughter, only 5 years old at the time of this writing, struggle with the knowledge that she is different from her peers.  I consider myself fortunate in that my daughter is not completely nonverbal.  I know so many families who struggle through having a child who doesn’t speak, can never vocalize what is going on.  My daughter struggles with language in that she lacks pragmatic and social language skills, but she can speak.  This is how I know she knows she is different, because she told me.  She was able to do that because I have spent her whole life not letting her autism be a crutch, an excuse that holds her back from doing and being the best she can be and trying her hardest to achieve whatever she wants.  So when cruising along Facebook and YouTube one day, and stumbling across the video below, it was the huge emotional kick in the gut that hit me right where it counted.

I immediately commented on the video, reaching out to the woman in the video asking permission to share it here, and permission to share their story about their journey and their organization.  The video shows the story of the Walden family, whose youngest son Ethan was diagnosed with autism.  They were told he would always struggle and would never speak, a bit of reality that hits close to home for far too many of us.  Here is a bit about them from their website, A Brand New Day Foundation

How it all started:

Brian and Gina Walden’s youngest son Ethan was diagnosed with Moderate to Severe Autism at the age of 2 1/2 years old. The Walden’s quickly had to learn how to stand in faith, seek God and follow the plan that He gave them. As they stood in faith, and learned to believe God in spite of the day to day trials of Autism, they saw Ethan improve and blossom in every area of development.

By the age of kindergarten Ethan was in regular education classes, learning beside typical children. Today, Ethan is at the top of his class, has lots of friends, and loves to learn. He just started 6th grade and no longer has any signs of Autism.

Today

Brian and Gina Walden know first hand the heart ache, the daily challanges and the emotional roller coaster that accompany an Autism diagnosis. Now, Brian and Gina desire to give back and encourage other parents who find themselves in the same situation.

Through their 501C3 non profit they provide Grants that help fund Medical Care, Vitamin and Mineral Supplements, Nutritional Needs and Educational Advocacy Services.

They also hold annual Autism Conferences, and will soon host their first ever Marriage Conference. Your financial support helps us bring Hope and Encouragment to families that are facing this hopeless diagnosis. 

 

 

I later reached out to the Waldens and asked them what message they would like to share with families facing a new autism diagnosis; what they though the most important thing they should know or keep in mind was, and this was Brian’s response:

Autism is not the end. There is hope for these children . With early intervention, hard work, medical care and the right diet, we can help reach these kids. We have seen hundreds of children improve and defy the autism diagnosis by becoming excellent students and self sufficient young adults.   

Brian and Gina Walden can be reached through their website, where there are also links to two Facebook support groups for parents and there is a myriad of information on their site.

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