** UPDATED April 6, 2018
As the saying appropriately goes, “if you’ve met one person with autism, you’ve met one person with autism.” Meet my son Devin. If you read my blog you know him well. He is the reason this blog exists. Born in 1993, he is a child of the pre-Autism Speaks age. Before we were fluent in internet searches for resources, research and direction, families like mine were on our own. Pediatricians who discounted boys as “slow” and persnickety learners were aplenty. Early intervention programs were scarce and school districts routinely denied the most basic of services. Sadly, there were few professionals who would even consider a diagnosis of autism for a child under the age of five. In short, there was no awareness, no acceptance, and little sense of hope for children expected of having the “a word.”
As I have often said, we were lucky; as a physical therapist I had treated toddlers at St.Mary’s Children’s Hospital who were diagnosed with “atypical developmental disorder” in the 1970s. Fifteen years later, I recognized what was oh so very familiar in my own one-year-old son. Frankly, I was equipped to work the system. When I could not receive the diagnosis I sought, I took my son weekly to a private speech therapist. I hounded my school district until they provided a special education teacher who came to our home twice weekly. Thereafter, my son spent three years in a center-based school and repeated Kindergarten. He completed another three in a private school catering to special needs children. As he was drawn out of his isolated world, as he slowly connected to the people in his life, as he turned ten years old, we finally met Devin.
World Autism Month
We Light It Up Blue for every family awaiting diagnosis. We screw in the blue light bulb for our neighbor receiving their 100 Days Kit next week. My house goes blue on April 2nd in the hopes that research will reveal the answers that my grandchildren will most likely need. I know in my heart it was that the aggressive and very early treatment that unlocked my boy’s full potential. At twenty-one, he received his very first paycheck TODAY. As a Congressional Intern for the Majority Leader of the U.S. House of Representatives, Capitol Hill has come to know Devin, its one person with autism.
#LIUB
***Devin graduated with a double major from Georgetown University in May of 2016, summa cum laude in Government and cum laude in Psychology. Today, he is Senior Staff Assistant to the Majority Leader in the U.S. House of Representatives. His passion is policy, and how he can shape the future for spectrum individuals. Stay tuned to our “one person!!”
More recently, my son has gone on to become a Legislative Assistant in the United States House Committee on Ways and Means, Healthcare Subcommittee. Oh, the places he’ll go!!
Donna Kay Anderson says
This made me tear up! I cannot even begin to imagine the pride you are feeling. Devin is incredibly lucky to have you as a mom and I have no doubt that your undying determination guided his journey! What a hopeful and inspiring story for so many moms out there wondering where to turn!!
blogging says
Though tears, tantrums, missed experiences and heartache were all a large part of his childhood, they were a necessary part of who he has become. I know you understand friend!
Jodi Whisenhunt says
You are such an inspiration! Devin is so fortunate to have such a loving and devoted mom (and dad). Way to go, kid!
blogging says
Your words mean so much Jodi; every child is unique and has potential beyond what we can dream!
Gayle Turner says
What an incredible story this journey has been. Devin has shown that through the love and unconditional support of those around him, that anything in life is possible. You and Devin inspire everyone to be all that they can be and to see the possibilities in life. Thank you for sharing this with all of us and allow us to come along for the ride. I can't wait to see where his life takes him!
blogging says
Me too Gayle, he has surpassed every "what if" hope I ever had. As you well know, it takes a village!!!
KJ @ PlustheMagic says
Fantastic story- thank you so much for sharing this! Your advocacy is inspirational.
blogging says
Thanks, KJ! The outcomes for kids diagnosed today are so much brighter because of the work this community has done over the past 15 years. We are the very lucky recipients!
Patty Holliday says
What an amazing advocate you are!!! I'm a little teary today- your story is beautiful. Go Devin Goooooo!
Ammerzon says
You & Devin are helping more families than you will ever know. Your suggestions, examples & inspiration give us a roadmap, and more importantly hope, for a life beyond what we may see now. Thank you.
Fairytales and Fitness says
As a teacher, I have briefly worked with Children with autism. It is nice to know "the rest of the story", when they leave the district and what they can achieve. Your son is a great example!
Danielle says
Devin is very lucky to have had you as his advocate!
Your story is very similar to my mom and brother. My brother, born in 1982, was diagnosed with autism and my parents were told to institutionalize him. My mother, a nurse, refused and worked with him tirelessly. He didn't speak until he was 5 years old, we communicated using sign language, my mom found a special education school (very rare at the time!) with some wonderful teachers and slowly over the years my brother emerged. By 1st grade he started at a private school and he did amazing – he now has a law degree from Georgetown and is currently working on a PhD! I've said many a time to my mom that I wish she could find those doctors who told her to "not bother" with him and show them how successful he is!
Another interesting Disney tie in that you may appreciate is that growing up we went to Disney every single year the week of my brother's birthday. My parents recently told me that a big reason for that was that while it's hard to see the small changes in improvements in my brother day-to-day at home, they could really gage his progress on our annual Disney trip – which rides was he willing to try this year? How did he react to the fireworks? Would he go up to characters?
Thank you for sharing Devin's story – we've come a long way since my brother and Devin were diagnosed but there is still a lot of work to do!