TheBanyanTree: I was a shadow...

[NancyIee at aol.com]

I really appreciated your posting, Sach.  I have a 20 year old  Grandson who 
is autistic.  When very young, he would have terrible  tantrums, avoid human 
contact, and so often be totally out of control. My son  and his wife, this 
being their first child, were mightily challenged to deal  with this youngster.  
They had him in a "Special" class at school, and  devoted so much time and 
effort on this dear little boy.
 
That same young man graduated from high school with the "regular" kids,  
having fulfilled all the regular required classwork requirements. He is highly  
intelligent, has learned to know his body and its signals, and to take care of  
them when they occur.
 
During my Christmas trip to visit family, I had occasion to dine out with  my 
son's family, the beloved grandson included.  He read from the menu,  made 
his own selections and commuted same to the waiter.  He buttered the  bread of 
one of his younger sisters, carried on his part of the   conversation, and had 
some astute comments to offer.  His intelligence  shined, his loving care of 
his sisters showed, and I bet no one around us was  aware he had any problem at 
all.
 
He has come so far. And, how I adore him, no matter he is more perfect than  
the ordinary.
 
Thank you for your own experience.
NancyLee