5

Aiden is turning 5 next week!  Below is a review of our journey the past 5 years...

My pregnancy was normal, and without complications.  Aiden was born full-term.  The umbilical cord was wrapped around Aiden's neck when he was delivered, so he was taken away quickly.  We were told it was not uncommon for this to happen, and that Aiden just had a "slow start" (the words of his pediatrician).  We had to stay in the hospital a few extra days so Aiden could be monitored.  He received supplemental oxygen for a couple days.  After that, Aiden progressed like any other infant--maybe even a little quicker than some.  He sat up unsupported at 5 months, crawled at 7 months (I remember calling my mom the day it happened), and walked along things at 9 months.  He was walking independently at 1 year.  I remember distinctly that he waved "bye bye" at 1 year, and pointed at objects, people, and things.  Ironically, at his first year appointment, I remember the doctor saying that those things were "a good sign that he isn't autistic".  Strange that she would say such a thing.  Aiden said, "mom", "dad", and "ball" around 9 months.  At 18 months I began to realize that Aiden wasn't talking like children his age.  He no longer said words that he used to.  We were at a play date, and I remember a little girl talking to her mother.  She was younger than Aiden at the time, and that was my red flag.  At 2, the doctor acknowledged that Aiden was behind in speech.  We had his hearing tested right away (he did have a lot of ear infections), and started the Birth-3 program for speech therapy.  His hearing was just fine.  Aiden NEVER sat for any of the group activities during Birth-3, but he did well at snack time, and during one-on-one sessions with the speech therapist.  In the year that Aiden was in Birth-3, NO ONE ever mentioned a thing about Aiden having any other needs but speech.  When he transitioned at 3 to a speech program, things became clear that Aiden needed additional help.  The doctor, and the teacher began to "get it", while I still justified Aiden's actions (in my defense, he was my first child, and I was clueless).  Aiden didn't interact with his peers, and wouldn't sit for circle time.  He would lay on the floor, hit his head, play with blocks alone, but he didn't participate like the other children, and he needed a lot of redirecting and one-on-one help from the teacher's aide.  We waited forever for the Waisman Center, and I'll never forget the day we went.  After playing with him for a couple hours, the therapist confirmed that Aiden was indeed on the autistic spectrum.  Then she said, "I have no doubt that Aiden will live a full, complete life".  I remember looking at Abe and trying not to cry.  WEAP confirmed the diagnosis.  Aiden started Early Childhood shortly after that. 

Aiden has made tremendous gains in the past 2 years!  Aiden is doing much better with peer relationships (thank you Austin), and he is finally speaking in sentences.  They aren't always correct, and they sound "scripted" to me, but they are words.  Precious words.  There are just so many things we take for granted each day.  So, paper work filled out, books read, meetings attended, doors opened and shut, here we are 2 years later, finally off the waiting list for therapy.  Aiden will start therapy soon, and I can't help but wonder what our lives will be like, and what will become of Aiden after this; because really, this is all there is for hope other than my faith.  I sat with Aiden today, and as I hugged him, I said a prayer.  Please Heavenly Father, bless my son to overcome autism.  And if that is not your will, then let his light shine in his own way, that he may bless many lives for good.  He has already blessed mine so much.  Happy 5th Birthday to my sweet, special baby boy!  This is going to be a great year!