Our Story
My name is Emma and I'm the mother of a high-functioning Aspergers child, Paris who is 8 years old. Until she was 2, Paris was like every other toddler and perfectly normal. And even when the autistic symptoms began appearing, I didn't recognise them early on. I actually thought Paris had a hearing problem instead because there were times she'd be watching TV or doing something and though I'd call her, she wouldn't answer.
Because of this and the fact that she wasn't talking in sentences by 3; I had her hearing tested, but the tests came back normal. Fast-forward a little and I had Paris enrolled in nursery school. Here, finally, is where her behavioral symptoms began to stand out.
Paris couldn't speak as well as the other kids at school, so she refused to interact with them. She wouldn't participate in carpet time either, and threw terrible tantrums if they tried to make her do so. Because of these things, Paris’s teacher suggested I have an IEP -- (an individual education plan) put in place to assist us with supporting Paris in the classroom.
"I thank the lord every day that Paris’s teacher cared enough to help us"
In may 2006 we had Paris privately assessed for Autism, due to the long waiting lists and her continued extreme behaviour we took her to a private clinic and she saw a psychologist named Jan Trotter, she assessed Paris’s cognitive, hearing, and speaking skills. The result her cognitive skills were high but her speech and interactive skills were delayed. It was then Paris was diagnosed with high functioning ASD (Autistic Spectrum Disorder) as well as ADHD (Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder)
She is now 8 years old and full of life, her future is bright
About NAS
The National Autistic Society is the UK's leading charity for people affected by autism (including Asperger syndrome). They were founded in 1962, by a group of parents who were passionate about ensuring a better future for their children. Today they have over 17,000 members, 80 branches and provide:
- information, advice advocacy, training and support for individuals and their families
- information and training for health, education and other professionals working with people with autism and their families
- specialist residential, supported living, outreach and day services for adults
- specialist schools and education outreach services for children
- out-of-school services for children and young people
- employment training and support and social programmes for adults with autism.
A local charity with a national presence
So please sponsor me now!
