Living with an Autistic Child
By: Cecile Majdalani
Stacy Poteet, an employee at the Burhart Center for Autism Education and Research, is one of many mothers with autistic children.
The Center, named after Jim and Jere Lynn Burkhart, the generous contributors to the college's study of autism, offers education in order to improve the quality of life for autistic children and their families.
Autism is a pervasive development disorder which, more or less, affects social and communication, motor and language skills. Personalities that a child with autism can pocess range from being chatty or silent, affectionate or cold, organized or disorganized.
In Stacy's son Jackson's case, the diagnosis was not made until he was three years old after a series of suspicious symptoms started to occur. Seemingly on the right track to speech development, Jackson abruptly lost what little speech he had learned, and seemed as though he was in his own world.
"He could correctly point at each letter while saying his ABC's, yet couldn't tell us he wanted juice or a snack." Poteet said. "He didn't play like children his age. He was more interested in watching ceiling fans or spinning the wheels on toy cars."
Jackson's pediatrician reiterated that his condition stemmed from being an only child with constant attention from his parents, therefore slowing his speech and motor development down. But, the Poteet's knew that there was something else inhibiting his development. After his diagnosis was finally made at age three, doctors realized that his deficits were in communication and social interaction.
Fortunately, classmates and family friends have been very considerate toward Jackson's disability, because he finds it difficult to participate in certain activities at school.
"Jackson has a hard time joining in a conversation." Poteet said. "When his classmates are talking about a new movie, Jackson would rather recite a Wheel of Fortune puzzle he has memorized."
Jackson's day-to-day routine differs slightly from other children his age; however, he does have to attend certain workshops in order to improve his speech and motor skills.
"Our day to day routines differ in the fact that instead of going to baseball practice after school," Poteet said, "Jackson goes to speech therapy and hippotherapy. He does play Challenger League baseball which he really enjoys."
Although autism can be a hard disease to cope with at times, Stacy is fortunate that Jackson can go on family vacations, eat out at restaurants, and participate in other activities in which some children on the autistic spectrum would not be able to do.
Stacy is hopeful that as Jackson continues to get older, some of the issues he deals with now, will only improve over the years. The next time you see a child throwing a tantrum, be considerate, it could be a result of autism.