by Aimee Calix

Created on: April 16, 2009

I always knew there was something wrong with my daughter, but I could never really put my finger on what it could possibly be. I would bring up my concerns to my pediatrician and she would respond,"it just may be taking her a little longer than most.". I would bring my concerns up with my friends and family and they would reply,"oh, don't worry. She will catch up.". I knew in my heart that they were all wrong! Why wouldn't anyone listen to me!

See, I was the mother of four wonderful, haelthy, "normal" children at this point, and then I was blessed with my fifth wonder. She seemed perfectly healthy and happy and camr home with me immediately from the hospital with no problems. I noticed something seemed different with my little angel almost immediately as she never seemed to be to interactive. I just thought that as the youngest of five there was too much going on around her to pay attention to and that is why there was little focus on one-to-one interaction. Then I noticed she wasn't babbling or smiling or rolling or reaching out to me or sitting or playing with her siblings or crawling or walking and now she is 2 years old. I asked the pediatrician and she said her siblings may be doing all the work so she feels she doesn't have to do anything. Now she is 2 1/2 and still no real milestones, now the pediatrician says, "Down Syndrome". What?! I knew she was wrong and switched pediatricians instantly, but even then no answers.

We live in a very small rural town, and to find aswers with these doctors was becoming impossible. Finally after three more years of running in circles and with my own research and fighting, my little angel was diagnosed with Autism. What a severe blow to myself, her daddy, and all her siblings. We are trying to learn more everyday in order to help our little angel, and it will be a forever process. The one thing I know as fact with living with an autistic daughter is how much she is loved and how much We are learning from her everyday.She has taught us all patience, unconditional love and joy in all th little things in life. She will lead a full and meaningful life no matter what the disorder, and in that is where I draw my strength.

Today my daughter is in public school, and I have to fight in order to get her all the therapies and aides she needs. I believe this is the toughest issue for most parents of autistic children-finding the right help. Sometimes it can be finding any help. I believe more needs to be done to educate teachers, other parents, or just anyone who works with children. Autism is so prevalent in today's society, that all of us would benefit from more knowledge. I am trying through the school system and my county to provide this education so more children can progress and reach their full potential. Doesn't everyone deserve just that?

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