Jackson's story

This journey started at Jackson's 15 month checkup when we were at the doctors office. His doctor asked me if he usually stood on his tippy toes or hand flapped amoung a few other things. Thats when I had a conversation with his pediatrician about a video i happened to stumble across about how someone knew their baby had autism. Jackson would do some of what was in the video and after, she said she suspected he possibly has autism. I didnt know much about autism and honestly was just devastated because all I could think about is how evil this world already is and I didn't want anything to make life harder for my baby. She sent all the referrals in to get him evaluated and start therapy. While waiting for all of this to get rolling, Jackson started to regress in his speech. He no longer said mama/dada or really anything. Doing daily tasks started to become really hard with Jackson. In October he was diagnosed with autism and that's when the search for ABA therapy started but we wouldn't find a place until late Dec and start in January. They have been so helpful because 6 months later he's saying mama again!! He says hi and tries to say the entire alphabet. I can go on and on but he's making so much improvement! This road has been bumpy and at times emotionally and mentally draining but I will always advocate for my baby!!! 

Today, over 70 million children and adults are affected by autism. Each of them, have unique strengths, challenges and potential. Autism Speaks will be there for them. You and I can be too.

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