We did not listen

At first we did not listen to Kurt.  We knew something was wrong after he received his 2 year old shots.  He stopped.  He stopped doing everything.  Suddenly there was no more eye contact, laughing, rolling, trying to walk, babbling, and trying to play. There was nothing but this terrible, horrible screeching sound that you just wanted to move heaven and earth to stop.  Meal time was a nightmare; soup is NOT a finger food, but was all he would eat.

We called in "Sooner Start" and they came twice a week to work with Kurt.  It was more like 3 steps forward and 14 backward.  Kurt grew more stubborn as the days pasted.  We knew he had sensory integration problems and suspected that he had autism.  But "Sooner Start" is not in the business of diagnosing anyone.  So we went to the best doctor in the state who in fact told us not to expect anything from Kurt.  He was going to be just as he was all his life. 

We were beyond discouraged and beyond hope.  What could really be done?  So the research began.  I read everything I could on Autism.  I studied it and Kurt hoping to help him to become something more.  As the months past, things became come complicated.  Why in the world would he not poo?  It wasn't so much that he pooed in his pants, he didn't poo at all.  Why in the world would he not sleep through the night?  Was it really necessary to sleep for 45 minutes and then be awake the rest of the night?  What was the deal with lining up cars?  Could he not just push them and go "broom broom?" 

We were slowly going insane.  "Sooner Start" could provide services only until he was 3 1/2 and then someone else would have to take over.  Who would that some one be?  Our advisers all suggested a wonderful school in Stillwater that would understand him.  But Stillwater is 30 minutes from home while the grade school is a block and 1/2 away.  We prayed that there would be someone at the grade school in Perry that would understand Kurt and be able to help him.

Everything I knew was wrong....................

I knew that Autism rocks, I just didn't know that it also spins, jumps, dances, runs, stares, screams, cries, and is nervous.  Until someone told me different, I thought that Autism was impersonal, cold, uncaring, and "normal."   Then along came Kurt, and now I know different.

Autism is normal!!!  It is also funny, caring, concerned, connected, light hearted, nervous, panicky, determined, very logical, and very, very concrete!!  If the autism says the moon is purple, it is, it was, and ever shall be purple.   If autism says that bread is poisonous, it is, was and ever shall be poisonous!!

Kurt has taught us alot about life and about autism.  I plan to use my blog just to share some of the things he has taught us along the way. And to tell a bit about his stories and ours.  I hope you enjoy and learn as much as we have.  I am glad to have you along on this journey with us!