new member

[Guest guest]

hi, I'm Tracey and my family is in Strongsville. we have 2 sons (and

a daughter due on Christmas Day), the youngest of which was just

diagnosed this Spring as being autistic. is 3 years old and the

lady we just finished working with at Beechbrook said that he is a

puzzle because so many of the things that they expect to see in an

autistic child just don't seem to be there. there are enough cues

that tell them that he is though. I was thrilled to find this group

the other day. I am still kind of in that acceptance one

minute/denial the next minute phase and just when I think I have a

grip on it and am fine with things I have been falling apart. who

knows, maybe it's the pregnancy hormones I am very bewildered

as to how to communicate with him at times. there are times when I

wonder if he has a clue as to what I am saying to him, but then

there are moments-usually when he is misbehaving and has been caught

in the act-that I know darn well that he knows what I am saying

because he laughs at me and runs away. I look forward to learning to

find alternate ways to deal with situations with him and to teach

him how to communicate with us. it's funny how the little things

would make me feel so amazing right now-I told his OT last week that

I want him to be able to blow out his own birthday candles next May,

or to understand how to give me a " real " kiss on the cheek, or even

to say Dad or his name. there I go getting emotional again...anyhow,

I look forward to learning from all of your experiences and to

getting to know you folks. thanks for accepting us into your group

and the kids and I look forward to meeting you at the zoo on Monday!

Tracey, Franc, DJ, and