PERSONAL – Autism Awareness Day, Birthdays and Cherry Blossoms – Charlotte Children Photographer

In honor of autism awareness day I though I would write a personal blog post. Some of you know our son Joshua was diagnosed with autism at the age of 4. We are so thankful to God, our family, his teachers, therapists and all that have been a part in Joshua’s improvement and development. We are thankful for our clients who have supported us and through you we support our family and have been able to afford Joshua’s therapies.

Joshua was a very happy baby and cute as a button! At the age of two we started seeing some language delays and tantrum issues. He didn’t play with others but this was still fairly normal for a lot of two year olds. There were a couple other signs which we did not know at the time were caused by his autism such as lining up his cars constantly and a high visual ability. Just after his second birthday we noticed that Joshua was able to randomly recognize most letters of the alphabet, by the age of three he was reading and writing sight words and numbers 1-40. At this time, through this and some other issues, we knew something was off and began to search for answers. On his fourth birthday he began his testing.

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” Jeremiah 1:4-5 (NIV)

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

April 2nd – REMEMBER to light up blue!

Having a child with special needs just makes the little achievements that many take for granted just a bit sweeter.

When ….

– he said complete sentences without being copied from a TV show or movie (echolalia)

– Joshua stopped freaking out to the sound of the vacuum or a hand dryer

– we no longer needed a picture schedule to have a tantrum free morning

– Joshua plays with other children instead of staying by himself

– he accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior

– he looks at your eyes

and many more….

My advice to other parents. Matthew 6:34 (NIV) “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own”.  Focus on a few areas of improvement at a time, a day at a time!

Well.. this is also a few days late post of our Rebeca’s 5th Birthday … Joshua’s greatest therapy! She loves pink & tea parties… and well… her brother! We took advantage of the few weeks in which the Cherry Blossom trees are in bloom.

 

 

RESOURCES

Do you want to learn more about autism? I have lots of fabulous links on pinterest.com/whitneyphoto

Are you looking for a local (Charlotte, NC) support group or information? http://www.asncmeck.org

Are you concerned about a child that has not been diagnosed? Contact the TEACCH Autism Program through UNC – http://teacch.com They are great!

HUNGRY? Make sure you support local restaurants helping the autism community – http://www.autismawarefare.org/ APRIL 22

 

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