How This Works

My son has PDD also
posted by PAULA on 2/05/08 11:12: AM

Oh my.. if this little man had orange hair it would have been a video of my son. i feel so alone so often. Thank you for sharing this. We have a long road to teach our boys to learn to live in there own skin. It is hard for other people to understand why he does what he does, I get him. My little man is 10 and he goes to a school for kids with behavior issues. to many suspensions, aggressive acts towards other kids and teachers, ect. But finally this year his teacher has a son with autism and My Gawd she gets it! Finally I feel like he has a chance! Thank you again for sharing Shawn with us. Rose
posted by Rose on 2/02/08 5:00: PM

My 6 year old nephew has PDD, he is blind and he can't talk it is very hard for us, but we do it, because we love him so much. He is learning sign language so he can let us know if he is hungry, thirsty or if he wants more. Forget the loud sounds it makes him freak out, especially not being able to see it scares him to death. The doctors say there will never be any change for him ever, but we take one day at a time.
posted by Michelle on 1/28/08 5:06: PM

Shawn, Your mother is a strong woman--but even Superwomen need some help now and then. It sounds like you're in a great school, and that's wonderful! I hope you live in a supportive community, with doctors who are willing to look outside the box, and have many friends & family who will always be there for you. This is what continues to strengthen my daughter with her two sons. Help your mom keep spreading awareness! This video is going a long way toward helping others learn more about being tolerant, patient, kind, and how to avoid rash judgment. Great job!
posted by Grammy Pammy of "Our Boys, Our Purpose" on 1/28/08 4:08: PM

A friend forwarded me Claudia's video, but I scrolled through them and caught yours. My son also has Asperger's and our stories seem very similar. Gabe turned 11 on Dec 26th this year and although he is doing as well as can be expected and we love him truly the way he is, what I hate the most is how others see him and treat him. As everyone who is touched by autism or AS knows, each child presents different traits. We are lucky that our son has no aggressive tendencies - quite the opposite - because he is child 5 of 6 and we didn't know there was a problem until about 3 yrs old - he has been blanketed with all the normal chaos that a big family brings - and he is very loving and caring. But as all these videos point out, understanding the world he lives in is the biggest challenge. I have cried at every single one of these videos - I too wish my son had "real" friendships versus "facilitated." I feel profoundly blessed that our children are in Catholic school - and our insurance does pay for private treatment with a therapist individually and in a group. We tried the IEP via public schools and it was a joke. His private school has been forced (mostly due to me!) to bring autism and AS to the forefront and educate all the staff at every level. He has never been in any classroom other than a typical one - and the curriculum is insanely difficult, but Gabe has weathered it. He is very smart - but I spend an enormous amount of time giving him examples of "what things mean" so he can relate. God Bless all of you - I really had no idea there were so many of us out there! Despite the struggles now and ahead of us - we really are the lucky ones. We GET to have these amazing children in our hearts forever....
posted by Colleen on 1/28/08 10:05: AM

Thank you for sharing your life thru your video. I can very much relate to your story as I have a son Nathan who is 11 and has autism- Aspregers/ADHD and a son Tristan who is 12 and has ADHD.Nathan has had a very difficult time with school and had been kicked out 2 times as well for his violent outbursts, so believe me I understand!I am glad that you were able to get a diagnosis finally so you now know the best way to help him. God bless you!
posted by Dawn on 1/26/08 12:47: PM

Thank you for helping me see what my children are feeling. You are a brave boy! My prayers are iwth you and your family that with the correct diagnosis and doctors you will find the treatment and understanding you need
posted by Amy on 1/26/08 7:48: AM

I am so thankful we now know how to help Shawn. Shawn is my heart! He is the best grandson I could ask for and I love him with all my heart. Shawn we are here to help in every way we can. Your world is different from ours but many others are just like you and that is OK! You are a smart talented young boy. I love you Shawn, from MawMaw
posted by Tammy on 1/25/08 3:12: PM

I truely Know how hard it is For you to understand.... I know how hard it was for your Mom, but you have come a long way! I have a 5 yr old Grandson with Autism... He has gotten help much sooner. At the age of 1 1/2 yrs. And thanks to our great school system that was possible... Getting the word to Dr's is important... They need to study more on this subject! I feel so bad that not enough Children Get the Therapy they so badly need! Good Slideshow! Thank You, Karen
posted by Karen Sigler on 1/25/08 2:29: PM

I see now that a lot more people are like me. I hope family's don't have to go through what I did. From, Shawn Thanks for watching my video! I am glad some of you were diagnosed sooner than I was.
posted by Shawn on 1/25/08 1:36: PM

Thanks for posting this. My grandson has the same thing. He has been diognsed everything from ADHD to bipolar to behavior disorders. He is 10yrs. and has now being reevaluated by specialists in Aspbergers. Hopefully someday he will feel he fits in.
posted by Sandy McFarland on 1/25/08 11:15: AM

That is great.
posted by Sally on 1/25/08 11:02: AM

Shawn is fortunate to have a mother who loves and fights for him. I hope it becomes less of a fight for both of you, that correct diagnosis (finally) leads to a happier life for Shawn - a world he understands.
posted by Victoria on 1/24/08 9:12: PM

Thanks to you all for your kind words. I am glad were not alone in this too! I am sorry for everyone that has to go through this, doctors, meds, school. It's not easy but life never is. I often wonder how my life would be without my son and I have decided it would be very boring. I should look at the positive rather than dwelling on the negative. We will get through this as we do with everything else. I hope this video touches your hearts and possibly informs others as it did for Krystal the teacher who left the message below. Thanks for allowing me to share my son Shawn with you.
posted by Shawn's Mom Jessica on 1/24/08 6:19: PM

Shawn we are sorry, we want you to belong to this world also, you are of this world. We hope and pray that their will be no others to go though what you had to. Love you.
posted by Kathryn Edwards on 1/24/08 11:45: AM

I am so glad you kept trying to help your son. Hopefully now he can get the help he deserves. It is because of Mom's like you that I have been fortunate to have had my sons (twins) diagnosed at the age of 2. Thanks on behalf of all of us to those who pathed the way before us.
posted by Joanne Connolly on 1/24/08 10:55: AM

I know your struggles! My son just turned 13 and you would never know it. We have been through all that you spoke of. My son is on meds for his behavior. It does help but things are always changing. Without my faith in God, I would have jumped off a bridge by now!!!
posted by Pam on 1/24/08 10:46: AM

Wow that was so great and so close to home, my son was 10 when he finally got a diagnosis. Our life has been a mirror image of yours. Hugs to you!
posted by Sally on 1/24/08 9:51: AM

as a public school teacher, i publicly apologize for all of your hurts because of our misunderstandings and ignorance. this is beautiful, and i will pass it on to everyone i know!
posted by krystal on 1/24/08 7:11: AM

That was wonderful. You did a good job. Wow he is so much like Chris. Isn't it nice to know we are not alone.
posted by Christy ~ Meet our Chris on 1/23/08 10:54: PM