Cadience was diagnosed in April of 2014 with Mild/Moderate Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) by the San Diego Regional Center. Prior to having received the diagnosis, as a mother, I knew something was wrong with my son. When Cadience was about 6 months of age, I would notice that he banged his head quite frequently and he'd enjoy it. At first, I would just shrug it off and think nothing of it, but I couldn't help the fact that he loved doing it. Health-wise, Cadience was a normal, healthy baby. I had no complications with him whatsoever during pregnancy and I had a Natural (Drug Free) Vagina delivery. I took Cadience to see the Pediatrian when he was regularly scheduled to meet with his doctors for checkups and immunizations. As far as a parent's standpoint, I had crossed all of my tees and dotted all of the i's. But as a woman and a mother, we have that intuition that is unshakeable and I listened. Thank God for that!

At the age of two, maybe months prior, Cadience had reached the terrible twos phase. He was developing into his own and becoming the little person I had always been curious to know. One thing, however, was missing that the Pediatrians pointed out to me: his communication skills. I was told by his doctor that I was failing him as a mother because I was not reading to him, talking to him as an adult, which was why my son's language was poor. Flustered and with a wounded heart, I replied to the doctor's accusations that I had done everything in my power to develop my son's talking (read to him, played educational games with him, brought him toys and kits to get him to start reading). I felt that she was belittling me as a mother and blamed me for why he was not talking, when in fact, it was Autism. I voiced my concerns about his language and was sent to First 5 California for a follow up with his development. We had evaluations and screenings for months on end until finally, we got a diagnosis. When my fears were confirmed, I cried but I knew that he needed help so I swallowed my pride for my son.

 

I am glad I went through the process to get the answers I so desperately sought out, however, each day is a challenge raising my son alone. We get discriminated against, mistreated, talked about, and demeaned because of his behavior and his outbursts. I sometimes stay in my home for fear of being scrutinized and told my child is a spoiled brat, which holds some truth but he does not understand. I would like people to understand that Autism is something you cannot see, rather it what he sees and what he cannot verbalize that causes his Meltdowns and I am sorry if my child's situation offends anyone when we are in public. I would appreciate more understanding than anything. Thanks for reading.