Hello, my name is Sandra and I have a son on the spectrum who is almost 6yrs.  He was diagnosed this year.  I am an COTA/L and work with kids with disabilities at our school district.  I am married to a wonderful man and we are considering having another child.

We are starting the bio-medical approach with Avery. Seeing a DAN! in June 2008.  I am starting to loose hope that he can improve yet I just can't give up hope. He is just too young for us to give up on him.  We have always been concerned because Avery didn't have what would be called typical signs of ASD- loosing skills.  He has developed behind with all his milestones starting with crawling.  Crawled at 12 mos, walked at 2 years and so on.  Gross motor was our main concern until he got tested and we found out he was behind with everything else as well.  Because of him and recieving therapy, I learned what OT was and became interested in the field as a career and to help him.  I went back to school and became an Occupational Therapy Assistant and I work for out schools system with a broad array of diabilities.  Avery has taught me so much, like being patient, that people are all different and in so many ways, and to enjoy the love and innocense he has because you don't see this kind in children his age.  I know when he starts Kindergarten in the Fall it is going to be tough for him and I am scared for him.  I know what life (or I think I know) has in store regarding friends and getting hurt by other people because he is different.  It just breaks my heart because he is such a beautiful soul and he would never hurt anyone.  With that said I don't want him to change I just want him to have the best life he can.