In the beginning...

We have known Jake had autistic tendencies since he was about 3, when he was first tested.  Before then, we knew something was up when he didn't utter his first word until he was almost 3.  He is now a week past his sixth birthday.  Last year we took him to many different specialists: nutritionists, psychologists, therapists, homeopathic doctors, etc.  It wasn't until we took him to the Children's Hospital (part of the Pittsburg University Hospital) that we got our first real answer.  It was then confirmed by a similar entity at Syracuse University.

Now, the difficult part begins.  What do we do?  Jake is a "high functioning autistic" child with ADHD and PDD.  Jake has been getting physical and occupational therapy for about 1/2 a year now, and we've got his next appointment this week to plan future intervention through the district.  Anne and I are heading to a group that meets once every other week in the evening to share ideas and frustrations with other parents of kids with autism.  We research, we read.  We look things up on the net, we buy books.  I deal best through writing out my thoughts - so I created this blog, to keep me sane.  Today was a pretty good day and I still didn't know whether to scream or cry from frustration several times throughout the day.  I hope that through this blog, your input and help, and the therapiutic power of writing in community, I will release my frustration and be able to be a better father to Jake.

Jake is an incredibly smart child.  He reads very well, retains information after hearing it only once, and seeks new knowledge constantly.  We endearingly call him our "little rain man".  Physically and emotionally, he is not there.  He is physically awkward, leaning far forward when he runs, for example.  He drools, he jumps excitedly, and can never sit still.  Every limit placed in front of him, whether a warning, a punishment, or even just parameters for play are often taken by him as an unfair limit to his desires.  Not because he is selfish, but because he feels that he is then trapped somehow.  There is much more to my beloved son, of course.  He gives of himself and shares everything.  He plays with our daughter, genuinely, constantly.  He loves hugs, kisses, and cuddling.  He makes our daughter laugh like no other of us can.  Jake is a true joy.  I pray I never forget that amidst the often frustrating times we also experience throughout the day.

I hope you will feel free to make suggestions.  I am new to the blogging world so I will create permissions if you wish to post something other than responses to what I ramble through here.  If you think this blog can help others or if you think we can be aided by others or other links, books, materials, etc., please let us know.

Thanks.  In solidarity,

Gonzalo