The Passion Behind this Blog

I created This blog in response to my own struggles and experiences in dealing with my son, Reagan's, Autism.  Like most children diagnosed with Autism, the symptoms were not so evident during his first year of life.  He spoke words - more words than he speaks today at 6 years of age.  At just 6 months old he had said his first word, "Yes."  

A few months before his first birthday Reagan became very sick with the flu and an ear infection.  His congestion was so bad that Dad would stay up all night monitoring his breathing and removing his mucus through any means necessary.  Reagan was too young to use the nebulizer machine or take cold/cough medicines, we were told.  He was treated with antibiotics for his ear infection.  The cure alas was a simple Epsom Salt vapor bath.  By the time we were advised of this remedy it was a week into his cold.  I wish I had known sooner.  And I wish I had started him on baby probiotics upon finishing his antibiotics.   

A few months after his first birthday, Reagan discovered finger foods. And not just any type but the oh-so convenient fast food chicken nuggets and french fries. The once "wonderful eater" no longer wanted to each from a spoon.  Aside from fruit, which thankfully he loves, his diet significantly degraded.  This was another "I wish I had done things differently" moment.

By the time he was 19 months old, the signs had become apparent. His speech began to disappear.  His eye contact was less direct.  He wouldn't respond to his name and he wouldn't point to ask for things.  It was easy to misinterpret his autism by his happy disposition.  That was around the time that a childhood friend of mine told me to get him screened with the Early Steps early intervention program. It is the Federal government's way of taking care of all children ages 0-3 with development delays.  

Click here to find an Early Steps program office.   

Our journey since the day I made the appointment with the Early Steps office has brought my family and my oldest son many challenges and many blessings.  It was really hard to lose all those expectations I created for my son when he was first born.  It was even harder to see this loss in my oldest son.  All he ever wanted was a little brother.  When God finally gave him a little brother – he gave him one that he could not converse with and has to constantly help watch over.  I had gotten through some very difficult struggles in the past.  While difficult at first, I always persevered and eventually got to a place where the struggle seemed unrecognizable, as though it had never happened. With Reagan's Autism, the struggle never disappears - it never ends.  You persevere by getting through each day - one moment at a time.  It's true that I wish I could do more for my son. And I wonder whether autism could’ve been avoided had I done things differently.  But that is the fire that has been fueled within me.  It is this drive to do more, not just for my son but others like him and others like me, that is the inspiration behind this blog.