Autism Speaks Be Informed Get Involved Walk Events Community Science
About Us
Mission
Science
Awareness
Advocacy
Family Services
In the News
Press Releases
What is Autism
Video Glossary
Diagnosis
Treatment
Your Child's Rights
Autism and Your Family
Donate
Donate Now
Online Store
Tributes
Our Events
Calendar
Government Relations
Corporate Partners
Family Services
Resources
Outreach
Chapters
Student Clubs
Community Grants
Social Networks
Conferences
Overview
Science News
Portfolios
Clinical Programs
Initiatives
Scientific Meetings
Grants
 
In Their Own Words: Jake's Song

By Faith Simmons

Editor's note: The opinions expressed herein are those of the author exclusively.
In Their Own Words
Online Store
Donate
Our family has been dealing with autism for the last three years. At the time that our son Jake was diagnosed, he was a precious two year old boy who had lost all of his words. He had no way to communicate with us besides high pitched screaming and scratching us. He lost all eye contact, started spinning in circles, flapping his hands and

running on his tiptoes. We had lost our child to the world of autism.

We have been doing the biomedical treatment for autism for the last three years with hopes (and prayers too, of course) of recovering Jake from some or all of his autism symptoms. Jake still has a long way to go on this journey but I wanted to share what our last week has been like. Several months ago, I bought Jake one of those plastic placemats with the pictures and names of the presidents of the United States on it. I even made up a silly little song where I sang the presidents' last names in hopes that Jake could learn them. He would occasionally repeat me as I said the names but never sang my silly little song.

This week, our "former" non-verbal little guy has warmed our hearts and put smiles on our faces. After catching a virus last weekend, he was sick all last week with a fever. In the midst of one of his fevers, our little one started singing the beginning of the song that I had been singing to him about the presidents. I was so excited just to hear his sweet little voice sing.

Today after church, Jake gave his daddy and me one of the most amazing performances we have ever received. He sang, not once but twice, every single last name of each president that our fine nation has had. God has truly given us a great blessing. Autism has totally changed our lives but as you can see, autism isn't always rough or hopeless, it has many blessings too. Three years ago, Jake was non-verbal ... and today, he left us speechless.

If you have a story you wish to share about your personal experience with autism, please send it to editors@autismspeaks.org. Autism Speaks reserves the right to edit contributions for space, style and content. Because of the volume of submissions, not all can be published on the site.
Click to Sign-up for e-Speaks Newsletter