MotherCop

Each individual diagnosed with Autism is different. You may find that a child may become more alert as he ages. This doesn’t mean that his diagnosis was wrong, it simply means that with Autism, anything is liable to happen when it comes to progression or regression.

It may be—peeking in your direction when spoken to, clapping his hands when instructed, tying his shoe laces or even trying to repeat a few words he’s overheard. These kinds of improvements should be praised with incentives of his interest to encourage the child to want do more.

Regardless of my son being considered non-verbal, his first word was car! He was about one years old and he’d cling onto his favorite white toy car—keeping it close to his chest the entire day. He could not go to sleep without it!

One day, while searching through YouTube for a show for him to watch, the thumbnail for Little Baby Bums- Driving in My Car appeared on screen. Before I could press play, he jumped into the chair and reached to touch the TV screen, and then—something magical happened. I thought I heard a small whisper come from my baby… “Ca-Carrrrr!”

Did I hear correct? Did he just say his first word? I could hear my heart beat through my ears. I studied him carefully, being sure not to blink as I examine him forming his tiny little lips, and again, he said it… “Ca-carrr!”

I was ready to meet my maker! The feeling was indescribable at that moment. I couldn’t contain my emotions. Camera! Where’s that darn camera? I have to record him saying it again! I was able to sneak away to find the camera and as he tuned into his show, I stood there with the camera on record, and stood there and stood there. So yeah, three solid minutes went by of trying to get him to say car again, but it just wasn’t happening! Note to self: Always keep your camera nearby to capture your little one’s milestones. My son had finally got a word into his vocabulary. It may not have been Mama, but I couldn’t have been prouder. I told everyone!

A few months later as the word car was phasing out of Pharo’s vocabulary, another blessing dropped right into my lap. The rain came down one day and little Pharo on the floor in his own world heard the drops onto the windows. It was like the rain drops were calling his name. He got up and ran to the window as fast as he could, climbing onto the sofa to get a closer look at the melody caressing his ear. The drops got louder and louder, and in no time, it was “Raining Cats n Dogs.” Now come on, it wasn’t literally raining our furry friends, it’s just an old Bahamian saying, simply meaning “raining very hard.” But here’s where the magic happens.

 He placed his little hands on the window screen to try and touch it, and said “Rrrr-Raaain.” (Gasp) It’s that feeling again!! An elated me could not contain my joy. My baby had another word added to his vocabulary. He was on a roll!

Unfortunately, the milestone was short-lived. A few months later, it would be like those heartwarming moments never existed. Although it’s a known fact that individuals on the Spectrum love repetition, Pharo lost both words—regardless of trying to practice them over and over with him. I wasn’t too heartbroken once I realized the words were gone because I’ve been doing a lot of reading on Autism, as you should too. Therapist would tell you to prepare yourself for the unexpected with Autism, anything is liable to happen when it comes to progression or regression. Prepare yourself, take a deep breath and accept what is!