Attachment Autism
Lisa Anne Chatten
First and Foremost, I am a Mother.
I knew NOTHING of Autism at the birth of my first son.
I knew only that I endeavored to continue in my career in Pharmacy, and to think outside the box in terms of parenting.
My pregnancies were both "unremarkable" - The births were also considered "unremarkable" by medical standards, but I consider them still to be magnificent.
There were no medications, no interventions, completely and totally freeing and beautiful.
Since the diagnosis of both of my children being Autistic, I have been involved in Early Childhood Education, Geneva Centre Programs, and Parent Training Programs for ABA.
I averaged 14 hours of research a day for the first year of my first born’s diagnosis, searching for answers and methods to help us on this journey.
I have been involved in several Volunteer initiatives throughout our community. This includes The Firefighter Toy Drive, The Cancer Society, and third party fundraisers supporting research for Pediatric Cancer; I also developed my own fundraiser with the help of some incredible colleagues that formed my board for "Run For Their Lives", Belleville’s first Zombie Run for Pediatric Cancer research. I have volunteered at Galas for The Hospital Foundation, and as a Volunteer with our Children's Aid Society's "Children's Foundation" for Child Abuse Prevention Month.
I have not made Autism my only focus - however, it has been my biggest focus since I suspected something was wrong.
I have two magnificent young boys who have incredible talents and beautiful personalities. They have transcended everyone's expectations for their prognosis - from developing speech against all odds, to overcoming sensory issues and behavioural problems.
Don't give up.
My first born...
My son was born in 2007. He was a beautiful bouncing healthy baby boy. There were no interventions, and no medical assistance. He was born at home, into his father's hands, assisted by Stacy Lytle, our Midwife.
He hit every milestone early - holding his head up within hours of birth, sleeping through the night at 4 weeks for a full 10 hours, rolling at just over a month, sitting unassisted at 3 months, first words at 6 months, walking at 11 months, then *POW*... Everything started changing.
His symptoms really began at three months, but we thought they were merely eccentricities and his own unique personality. Flapping his arms excitedly, not realizing the difference in levels of flooring, and carrying around odd objects like sticks and curtain rods as though they were toys.
I called a physician at 16 months with serious concerns about his development, having lost the little speech he had begun, and when he started doing even more bizarre things like standing in a corner, or pushing me away from him with force, I simply knew intervention was needed. At times he would even hug me by wrapping his tiny hands around my throat and squeezing. He turned the television on and off incessantly, and seemed completely oblivious to pain associated with injury, just jumping back up from a fall and carrying on.
He was diagnosed with Moderate to Severe Autism at 21 months.
My first born is now 6 years old. At the time of his diagnosis, we were told to understand that he may never develop a proper response to social settings. He will always have super sensitivities in some areas and in others, almost a hypo-sensitivity. He would likely develop more bizarre and unsettling behaviours as communication became more difficult due to his non-verbal status.
Since then, he has run leaps and bounds past this prognosis. He started speaking shortly before his 5th birthday. He is fully conversational and very intelligent now! He has virtually no sensitivities to textures as he once did. He has a pattern of thinking that is completely outside the box. He dresses himself, he takes on challenges head on, and he enjoys games and having friends. He is a happy, healthy, smart, loving, empathetic child who also happens to process initial commands and directions at a moderate to severe autistic level, and always will.
But we HAVE cracked the code.
My second born...
When my first born was only three months old, I became pregnant with our second child. Our first born was such a good baby, I often joked that it would be harder to have a puppy...
Just like our first, our second was born at home, into his father's waiting hands. He was born exactly one week before his brother's birthday - so my children are actually just under a year apart.
His symptoms began in infancy, with night terrors that sent him into periodic screaming bouts, rejecting the comfort of both his father and I. We had high hopes though, as he would respond and interact when we would engage him in language. “Tree! Tree!” his father would say while holding him in his arms, tapping the bark on the trunk of a tree at the playground. Aiden’s eyes would shine with recognition, and he would imitate the word using something not even remotely close to the word, but saying it twice the way his father did. We were aware that the chances of having a second child with Autism were about 7% likely at the time, when the first had a diagnosis. We preferred to believe everything would be fine with our second.
At 12 months he still had not uttered a real word, and began completely avoiding all eye contact with everyone. His chattering that he had started next to ceased and his cries would come at sporadic moments at a sound breaking level. At around 16 months we were able to see even further symptoms, through his communication barriers. He could not only not speak a single word, but he could not convey his most basic needs - such as drink, food, diaper, sleep...
By 19 months we had a diagnosis of Severe Autism.
Now, our second born is 5 years old. He is being integrated into a main stream Kindergarten class, with a heavy presence from me in the classroom. He sings the Alphabet song, our National Anthem, and says “I’m the biggest fish in the oooooceaaaannnn!” He names his body parts often, focusing on toes, hair, eyes, ears, fingers, tummy, and tapping his torso he says his name.
From a child who started out being completely non-communicating, very withdrawn and introverted, to a child who craves positive interaction with people, enjoys singing, dancing, and hugs or cuddles, and has smiles and full out eye contact with everyone, I think it’s safe to say our techniques have some profound and amazing results.
We still have a ways to go with our second child – but forever and a day, the community, his family, and our friends are committed to putting every effort into what works, and what gives both of these bright, beautiful children the best shot at an autonomous and fulfilling life.