04/01/2025
April is Autism Awareness Month so let’s share some of our journey with the world…
Hi! 👋 My name is Miles and I am Autistic. I live with my Daddy, Mama, big brother Malachi, big sister Mariah, younger brother Myers, and little sister Melody. Yes, a big ‘ole family of 7! 💙🩷💙🩷🩵🩵💖
I was born on May 07, 2015. I was the happiest baby boy so full of smiles that many people named me SMILES! I met a lot of the beginning milestones like saying Ma Ma and Da Da, waving and clapping, and dancing to music. I began failing milestones at 15 months. I quit trying to walk, I quit talking, and stopped developing new skills. At 18 months old, I was evaluated by Babies Can’t Wait. Honestly, my Daddy, Mama, and Nana weren’t 100% honest when answering the questions presented because they weren’t ready for the truth. So, they convinced them that I just couldn’t hear and I was referred to an ENT for a hearing screening. The results of that test were normal. So many people told my Mama that my talking would come and that she shouldn’t worry. That’s because other than being non-verbal, I didn’t appear much different than other toddlers in public. However, at home, my family knew deep down that I couldn’t understand commands, I flapped when excited, was terrified by sudden loud sounds, and just lived in my very own little world. At my 2 year well checkup, my Mama decided to finally address the issues and they arranged another evaluation with Babies Can’t Wait. That evaluation led us more understanding of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and confirmed that I was definitely on the spectrum. At 2 yrs 4 mths, I was referred to a Pediatric Developmental Specialist. My Mama had to complete a very detailed questionnaire which led to my official diagnosis of ASD. The doctor suggested starting Speech and ABA Therapy if available. My Mama started searching for help immediately but realized quickly that the journey would be long and not a quick fix. 😔
One night after my Mama made a Facebook post about my diagnosis she was sent a video and the kindest words via messenger from two other Mamas that gave her hope. (The three of them founded what’s now the non-profit Autism Advocates of Appling County to help support other families on the ASD journey. ❤️🧩)
After being put on several waiting lists for ABA Therapy, I finally started therapy at 2 1/2 years old. Someone came to my house 3 nights a week to provide ABA Therapy. When she walked through our doors, my success story began. Since then, I’ve learned and grown so much! Yes, I’m 9 (almost 10) years old and I still don’t say many words besides “No!” without being prompted but I’ve learned to communicate through many other ways such as with an AAC Speech Device. Using that thing I can communicate many of my wants and needs like “I Want French Fries Ketchup”, “I Want Take Off Shirt”, “I Want to Swing”, “I Want Swimming”, and so much more but most of all I like to tell my parents and my teachers that “I Want Wild Adventures!” over and over again because I LOVE rollercoasters. I also love to ride on the golf cart and 4-wheeler, watch random parts of random videos on repeat, play outside, and I’m obsessed with water. (I still don’t know why my parents don’t have our pool heated year round so I can swim whenever I want?!?! 😏)
When you look at me, you usually just see what appears to be a normal boy. I don’t have any distinct characteristics that set me apart like individuals with physical disabilities or other mental disabilities like Down syndrome. I think that’s probably one of the hardest parts of being autistic. When my quirks start to kick in, most people that don’t know me don’t understand. Even though my parents make me follow all the same rules as my siblings and try to make me be my best self, sometimes certain situations overstimulate me and I like to stomp and cry. For example, I’m not the best at being patient while standing in lines, sitting still on the bleachers or at the movies, or being made to do anything requiring a pencil and paper. Other than that though, I’m really a pretty awesome, laid back kinda guy. (My parents, teachers, and therapists all say that I’m too laid back but whatever! They just don’t like not being able to bribe me. 😉)
Many people ask my parents if all the therapies have been worth it since I still don’t really talk but what they don’t see is just how much I have learned and improved in life skills. When I’m at home, I’m pretty self sufficient. I have been fully potty trained since I was 5 years old which is a big deal for most kids like me. I know how to do simple chores like take my clothes to the laundry basket, and throw my plate in the trash. I go outside and play without getting into trouble, entertain myself with toys or watching shows, and I even go to bed by myself most of the time without being told. To be honest, I’m probably my parents’ best child. 🤔
Well, that pretty much sums up my Au-Some life! Maybe my Mama will share more of my story with y’all throughout the month of April.
Anything particular you’d like to know about our Autism World?… Just ask! It’s a pretty Wild, Chaotic, Crazy, Beautiful World!
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