I am the mother of three wonderful children born to me 26 years ago. My firstborn child developed fine and is happily married. Two years after her birth, I became pregnant with twin boys. The boys were developing fine and meeting every milestone, except language. I took them to several doctors to find out why their language was delayed and they were diagnosed at the age of three as having autism. They immediately started school and learned how to use sign language to communicate. Now, at the age of 24, they are independent sophomore college students who are able to communicate without sign language.

I believe the success of their achievements was due to the fact that I never treated them any differently than I did my daughter. As a preschool educator, I see some children who could benefit from outside services, but the parents are in denial thinking this will cause people to look at them differently. I let them know about my sons, and how denying their children services only delays the treatment.

Today, both young men are able to independently use public transportation to and from college, go to the movie theater and mall, and do most of their banking without help. Over the years, my experience with autism has been one of hard work, but the reward of working with my sons is something I would never regret.