Charlie

This is my son, Charlie, in his 3rd grade photo...^_^ He's a sweet 9 year old boy who was diagnosed with autism when he was 5. He is also the reason for the new stamp that is prominantly located in my journal entries.

Before he started going to school, he barely interacted with people, couldn't really talk... basically, everything had to be done for him. That meant helping him change his clothing, taking baths, etc.

Now, with the therapy from the state and the teachers and para-professionals in the school district he goes to, he's very close to being a normal child his age. It's amazing in how he has progressed in the four short years since he started school. Here's the progress:

1. He speaks to everyone and anyone.
2. His speech is now very clear...he still has some problems in conveying his thoughts, but the change to what he can do now is amazing.
3. One change I love the most is how loving he has become. He has to give everyone he loves a hug every few minutes...^_^
4. He can now feed, clothe and bathe himself. I'm so glad that he can do this now...^_^

Well, he still does have some problems with interacting with children his own age, but that's changing now as well. His best friend, Ethan, who is also in his SSN classroom, is also autistic but confined to a wheelchair due to some physical deformities. But the way I have observed the two, they are nearly inseperable...^_^

With this, I urge people to become more aware of this disorder and realize that when you are in a store and hear a child scream and act out, that child may not be like a regular child.

1 out of every 150 children are autistic, or are diagnosed with autism. We all need to understand and find out the reasons why this is happening and do something about it.