http://www.autismbites.com

My wife and I are the parents of six children diagnosed with the Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

* Robert (Bobby), boy, 15, - High functioning Autism
* Emma, girl, 10 - Aspergers
* Nephi, (Nee-fi), boy, 9, - Aspergers
* Sarah, girl, 6, - Classic Autism
* Ammon, boy, 5, - Classic Autism
* Mary, girl, 4, - PDD-NOS

When we married we wanted a larger than average family. When each baby came we felt there was still one more little child waiting in Heaven to be a part of our family. After Mary that feeling was gone and we felt complete as a family. We didn't know something was going on until after the last baby, Mary, was almost a year old. Also, we did not have an official diagnosis for all the children until November of 2006.

In February 2007 we watched an episode of Extreme Makeover Home Edition, we enjoy it as a family to see if the family's story is as tough as our own. (Ha ha) The show said that the family, they helped build a new home for, had the most documented Autistic children, five, for one family in the United States. My wife and I looked at each other, we have SIX documented Autistic children. It looks like WE have the most in the country, who knows maybe the world, isn't THAT special?!

The 3 youngest are still in diapers and the 5 and 6 year old are completely non-verbal, they are also our biters (One of the reasons for our website name, AutismBites, chomp!). We have to put them in backward one piece outfits to keep them from stripping and smearing their poop everywhere. Our 5 year old climbs on, breaks and rips EVERYTHING. His nickname we've given him is Ammon the Destroyer (like Conan the Destroyer).

Each day is a challenge, something happens EVERY day. It was recommended that my wife be evaluated. She found out she is borderline clinical depression and has generalized anxiety disorder (we weren't too surprised about that one). We also believe she has fibromyalgia as she has those symptoms too. She is taking Prozac to help her through each day.

We're trying hard to be the best parents our children need. Our 4 and 5 year olds go to a preschool for Autistic children. The 6, 9 and 10 year olds have an IEP in place for them at their elementary school. The 15 year olds situation is similar at his Jr. High school.

Fall of 2007 John was no longer able to maintain a job outside the home. "They were just tired on all the time I had to be away from work". John created our website, this YouTube channel and our blog that is a place where we hope to help other parents of Autistic children and earn an income from home. The progress has been slower then we hoped, but has been looking a lot better lately. But by the grace of God we are hanging in there and hope that our example can help other Autistic parents.