I remember taking Preston to the pediatrician and voicing concerns about Preston also showing signs of Autism. Maybe I had a heightened sense of awareness, maybe I was looking for it since I felt I had failed my first child when I didn’t know something was wrong.
At the appointment, the doctor walked in and said “Hello, I hear we have concerns that Preston has delays as well. I have NEVER heard of any family having more than one autistic child in their family, but let’s see what we’ve got here”
8 months later we had a second diagnosis.
I would also like to share that about a year later that same pediatrician said to me “It’s not surprising at all, I read about many families with multiple children on the spectrum” This is when I knew, I was paving the way in more ways than one.
The beautiful and terrible thing about Autism is that each person is different. What works for one, might not for another. Where one struggles, the next may excel. I know many parents hate when there are “Rain Man” references, but that is what was said a LOT to describe his personality. Especially in my eyes, he was BRILLIANT – compared to everything I had experienced with my daughter.
But with the good came the bad. My son wasn’t happy. At least with Trinity, there was laughter and smiles within “Trinity World”. She had joy. Preston seemed uncomfortable within his own skin. He had a constant state of anxiety or rage bubbling. He was quick to anger – not just to others, but to himself.
He also was frickin’ Houdini! He would run faster than Speedy Gonzales. After my first marriage ended, I was living in an apartment. I had a deadbolt lock, chain lock, AND a keyed lock from the inside (I wore the key around my neck). I remember one winter day I had just brought stuff home from the store and had to use the bathroom right away. I locked the deadbolt and chain, but couldn’t wait to do the key. I ran to the bathroom and less than a minute later I hear the door slam. I RAN! That little stinker pulled a dining room chair to the door, unlocked the locks, and ran away in less than 60 seconds – HE WAS 4 years old!! And he was gone! In a diaper, in the winter cold. I looked for 3 minutes and called the police right away! He was found 15 minutes after the police came and that was the scariest thing I’ve ever been through in my life.
I have a lot to share about my experiences with Preston, but I think it’s best to spread them out. Behavioral health is tricky and resources were nonexistent. He has had a hard journey and it wasn’t because he was bad. It was just how he was made. **Spoiler ** He turns out just fine. I just like to focus on the positives. We all have our ish right?!
These two were my only priority. I lived and breathed FOR them. If not me, then who?
#ThursdayAutismAwareness
I will be sharing Autism testimony every Thursday.
I have 21 years of experience.
acurbsideprophet 