About Loving Embrace

My husband and I were puzzled by our son's dramatic change in behaviour. He could not be comforted by a hug or a kiss around twenty months of age. He cried or screamed to communicate and nothing I did seemed to help. He stopped looking at his father, sister and me; clearly something had happened to our little boy. He kept isolating himself with certain activities. He would scream in the car if I took a different road. We waited eighteen stressful months and visited several professionals to get a diagnosis. No one could help us. My son was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder at forty-seven months. Looking back, the diagnosis was just the first step; we needed hope if we were going to be able to move forward.

I travelled to the United States to receive training in two American based programs designed to help autistic children and their families. These programs were helpful in my son's development, and my earlier years spent working with children with special needs gave me a firm understanding of how to approach working with my son at home. I had to change how I parented my son, he was the focus everyday. I started with earlier stages of development and moved forward, and he began to speak again, dress himself, brush his teeth, walk with me and not bolt. Our entire family was over-joyed to see our son develop new skills. Our approach was for him to accept his ever changing world and encourage him to add his input and learn from other people. This would be key for him to start school. Thankfully we are moving on and my son is now fully intergrated in a public school, getting excellent marks and he has made several new friends. His friends enjoy having him as a creative, funny and compassionate friend. He makes sure other kids who are off by themselves join in the game. He has been released from the bonds of autism, new pathways of brain activity have been created and now I have my little boy back.

Autistic children do not have to wait for treatment, they can learn about relationships starting at home, surrounded by people who love and accept them unconditionally.

Lovingly,
Zoë Marshall RN, Autism Consultant