What a difference a year makes: Part 2 - We Have Autism

If you missed it, read part 1 here

2012: WE HAVE AUTISM!

2012 has been hard. We have fought tooth and nail for each and every inch of progress. We have relentlessly battled the exhaustion, the guilt, the tears and the frustration. But by God's grace, we have been victorious! 2012 will be known as the year we kicked autism's butt! This year, WE HAVE AUTISM, autism doesn't have us!!!

I could write all day about all the progress and things Maddox has learned. But here's a small snapshot:

Last year, at 18 months old, Maddox tested across the board at about a 6-8 month level. He was severely delayed in every area.
This year, at 30 months old, Maddox was nearly caught up to age level in every area except speech.

In one year's time, he mastered 26 programs and met over 75 goals in his early intervention program. He uses sign language fluidly and his vocabulary is emerging. He has learned to self-regulate his need for sensory input and academically he is working on many of the same things that Mia is learning in kindergarten! He is THE poster-child for early intervention!

Yesterday for the first time he initiated contact (a little socially inappropriately, but contact still) with another child and played basketball WITH another little boy. If you don't know how monumental this is, let me assure you, we are ecstatic over this!!!!!

There is just so much more that is hard to measure or put into words. If you have spent much time with us, you will know, that at times, Maddox has just been absent. His body was there but his mind was not. We are seeing less and less of that state. When he is overwhelmed or tired, he will retreat and that's ok. He needs to deal with his sensory overload sometimes. But now, when he is with us, he is REALLY with us. He engages with us, he makes eye contact, he tries to make us laugh, he kisses me spontaneously, he gets excited to see us, he seeks out our attention, he plays, he is filled with joy and he expresses love.

2011 was a year of blessings amidst heartache, confusion and guilt. God guided us through, giving us comfort and strength and lit the way for us to find the help we needed. 2012 has been a year of blessings as God has poured out his grace in the form of joy, hope and perseverance. He has granted us numerous victories and we are so thankful for the year we've had! What a difference a year makes!