One thing that was different about my little fellow was that he did not follow a normal pattern.  For example, Lisa belly glide before she learned to crawl. Andrew on the other hand, did not.  I never saw him learning to crawl.  It was like magic!  One day he was not crawling and the next day he was.

Another unusual behavior was his sensitivity to loud noises. He would cry at the sound of a train or a loud voice.  His bottom lip would tremble before he let out a loud one.  Of course, I believed it was what normal infants did.  After all, Lisa was hearing-impaired as an infant, before she received surgical implants to remove the fluid from behind her eardrums.

Being a mother is a "learn-as-you-go" course in life.  There was really no one to ask for real advice, since I was already dealing with the mislabeling of Lisa.  As for my own mother, she could only relate to how I was as a child along with raising my three brothers.  The advice I needed did not exist.  I became a novice.  I paid attention to my gut instincts and I am glad I did!

Eventually, I became an advocate and the teacher.  Individuals came to me for help.

From reading the posts on this blog, one will learn how Andrew was diagnosed with autism, the techniques I used to help him, his public school years, his recognition as a "Daily Point of Light Award" recipient, graduating with honors from high school, dropping out of college, discovering a cure for his autism and then his return back to college making all As as a full-time student.

I feel elated!  I am glad to share the entire story of my son with you!

More to come...