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Jacob and I started this blog over a year ago to track a treatment we were trying called Mendability. I HIGHLY recommend this program if your child is on the spectrum and is younger in age. Jacob did not do well with the program because he is older. Their studies have, to my knowledge, focused on early intervention. Things may have changed as they found older kids that Mendability was suited for; however, it just was not for Jacob.
Therefore, I let the blog sit here and showed it as part of my web designing business. Recently, we, as a family, have been through some things that have made me want to start blogging about Autism and Asperger’s. Jacob was diagnosed with Asperger’s but with assistance will overcome his battles with Autism. Do we look for a cure?
Simply – NO!
Instead, we concentrate on what we can do right now in the moment to help him with his struggles. Jacob has grown up a lot and continues to excel in many areas that the doctor had told me he never would. Jacob is my pride and joy, my heart and soul, my friend and pal, but mostly Jacob is my only wonderful, amazing, intelligent, compassionate child. As Jacob grows older; I am the one person who has been the steady constant in his life therefore; I am the one person who can see the remarkable transformation since birth.
Jacob started in special education at the age of two in the public school system; however, I also used my private insurance to pay for other services such as speech, physical, and occupational therapy. Resourceful became my middle name as I searched for help for Jacob. I never once looked at him and thought, “This is all he will ever be.” I focused on what I could control, which was not too much but still enough to help Jacob make strides in his life.
Jacob and I had the wonderful opportunity to watch a video for a project being completed by a local nonprofit. Jacob learned a lot about Individualized Education Plans (IEP) and next we are going to, after having his next IEP, take a survey and then Jacob receives $50. Yes, this motivated him at first but once the video began, it was clear that he was hanging on every word. I love seeing him want to learn like that.
This is just a little bit of Jacob’s life and our story. I wanted to share what was up lately but also give some background into Jacob’s and my life as we overcome Autism.
Won’t you join us?
Leave a comment, message or question as we look forward to this blog becoming a host for other parents and youth on the spectrum.
Want to guest blog? Just let me know and we will make it happen. Alternatively, you can just sit back, relax and find out what it is like to live with Autism. You will learn a lot and hopefully, raising awareness (which is our goal) will compel you to share our blog with family, friends, and colleagues.
We look forward to some great interaction as the blog gains the interest and will hopefully become a safe place where other people going through similar situations can meet, relate and marvel about the wonderful children and youth that they are raising.
Regards,
~Holley Jacobs
