Living with Autism

     Since Matty’s diagnosis in November 2002, we have been on a mission for him. When autism enters a family, it becomes the central reality for everybody in the family; like it or not, the entire day is more or less planned around Matty and his needs. While this puts enormous stress on us, and worse on Matty’s two young sisters, the activities and therapy we are involved in have brought us closer to many other families who are in similar situations. The first reaction to learning that your child has autism may well be an overwhelming sense of self-pity, but parents need to know that they are by no means alone in this fight, and the autism community is a tremendously supportive and positive thing.

     Matty attends a verbal behavior program at school as well as speech therapy, occupational therapy, and physical therapy at Children’s Specialized Hospital. He also loves his therapeutic horseback riding class every Friday at Chariot Riders and competing in our town’s Challenger sports programs. A lot of our family’s social life is wrapped up in sitting in waiting rooms and driving back and forth between home and therapy, but these are also the moments that have introduced us to our new friends. We have learned that having an autistic child often leads to a reconsideration of one’s values and priorities. Whenever we are waiting for Matty while he is in therapy, or riding the horses, or playing Challenger Baseball, we are in the midst of very loving people who have learned, as we have, to appreciate small moments that might otherwise slip through the cracks of a busy schedule.

     Living with an autistic child may seem like an undeserved punishment, and we have moments when we cannot see it any other way, but with time and patience, the family can emerge into a world that is in some ways simpler and in many other ways richer than we could have ever dreamed on that day back in November 2002.

     Matty inspires us to do everything we can to make his life the best that it can be. We want to support research to find a cure to help not only him but also the thousands of other children and their families who are affected by autism. We know how hard everyday life is not only for our son, but for all of us. This is what has motivated us to want to help other children and their families. We have been there for years, but our journey has really just begun. If you met Matty, you would know instantly why this is such an important cause for us. One flash of his big bright smile, and you would want to help too. It is not an easy road, but together with help, we can make the lives of all these kids so much better and brighter.

          Sonja and Sean Nunan

Matty, age 5

Autism Fact:  

1 in every 104 boys is on the autism spectrum.