Ashley’s Story
Today’s blog post is from our Autism Ally Ashley Morgan. We hope that her story encourages you on your autism journey.
As I reflect back on our official diagnosis and everything in between, I hope my story brings hope and joy to others.
My son was like any other child. He hit milestones on time, ate well and was an extremely happy baby. Around 16 months we started to notice regression. I brought this to the attention of our pediatrician and he recommended that we contact First Steps. First Steps mission is to partner with Hoosier families whose young children are experiencing developmental delays and connect them with services that help them promote their child’s development. into our home for weekly therapy sessions. By 18 months, we were down at Riley Children's Hospital in Indianapolis obtaining an official diagnosis. The test was set to last 4 hours. It was over in 35 minutes. I will never forget the look in the doctor's eye as she held my hands and said, "Mom, we can end the test now. Your son has Autism and pretty severely at that."
I was lost. What is Autism? How can I help my child? Will he live a normal life? I instantly went into denial. How could this happen? I had a healthy pregnancy, and I took care of myself. I beat myself up for weeks then reality set in. I NEED to put my feelings aside and help my child any way possible. We toured countless ABA clinics and finally settled on one that seemed to be a great fit. As our first day approached, my child had extreme self-injurious behaviors, he was non-verbal and screamed out of frustration constantly. I couldn't even take an alternative route home after therapy. We were housebound. As time progressed those issues seemed to disappear thanks to the early intervention that we got in place ABA therapy, in home therapies as well as countless hours of occupational therapy and speech therapy.
After 3.5 years of ABA therapy, my son graduated. We streamlined him in a local public school with a special educational aid where he has been thriving for over 3 years as of this writing. I am so extremely thankful for all of the BCBA's and RBT’s who worked countless hours with my son. I can remember how frustrating, tiresome and emotional those first few years were. My Autism Ally's support groups helped me immensely. It's so important to take care of your own mental health when caring for a child with special needs. As you know, being an Autism parent is a journey filled with both profound joys and significant struggles. The experience brings moments of pure delight as we witness our child's unique perspective on the world, their incredible talents, and the milestones they achieve, no matter how small. Those genuine smiles, spontaneous giggles, and moments of connection are priceless, serving as a reminder of the beauty in their individuality. However, the struggles can be overwhelming; navigating the complex world of therapies, educational systems, and social challenges often feels like a continuous uphill battle. We confront societal misconceptions, advocate fiercely for our child's needs, and manage our own emotional rollercoasters. Yet, through it all, we learn resilience, develop a profound sense of empathy, and find a supportive community that understands our journey. The path may be challenging, but it is equally filled with love, growth, and moments of unexpected joy that shape our family's story.