I am honored to be invited to share our autism experiences to help others along this same journey. This fits right into my mission of helping others on the same path. There wasn’t much information about autism 20 years ago when we started our journey; my son, JJ, was born with an autism spectrum disorder. Many say we have been pioneers; I believe for a reason.
The road has not been easy as we have had many challenges and struggles. My message to parents is to not give up. Results of so many tools and therapies did not show immediately, but what was needed was a recipe for success that included perseverance, persistence and consistency. Some results we didn’t see for years, but continued to teach my child with rote and repetition; more recipe ingredients. Every parent wants independence and success for their child and I am no different. No matter what I was told by others, I was not giving up. We must provide tools for our children to function successfully in the real world.
When my son was a teen, I was discouraged and didn’t think college was possible because he struggled academically and behaved emotionally like he was a young child. Over time, I will share in this blog tools that helped JJ as he is now living independently 400 miles away from home completing his sophomore year of college successfully. The key is adding recipe ingredients slowly taking one day at a time. Last year when he completed his first year of college at home at the community college taking a full load of classes, he proved to us that college studies were possible. We then took that next step by allowing him to attend a university away from home. It has had its challenges as well, but JJ has been equipped with the proper tools and safety nets in place; more ingredients for success.
JJ has come full circle. Last month he was inducted into Delta Alpha Pi, an international honor society for college students with disabilities for academic achievement. As JJ raised his hand, I proudly sat there with tears in my eyes watching him pledge to be an advocate for students with disabilities. He has taken on a new role on this journey; he is an autism ambassador.
The main ingredient for autism success is unconditional love sprinkled with happiness, patience, acceptance, and encouragement. I finally realized my son didn’t need a cure, he just needed tools for success. You have been blessed with a special needs child because you will provide a recipe for success. The big picture can be overwhelming not knowing where to begin, but if we take one step at a time, or take one bite at a time, or add one ingredient at a time – you will see amazing results. Don’t give up because you are your child’s best advocate.
About Lori Ciccarelli
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