Autism is the fastest-growing developmental disability in the U.S. In fact, 67 children a day are diagnosed and the latest numbers show that it's a growing problem right here in the Natural State.
So what exactly is Autism? Well, on paper, the word Autism, by itself, is pretty easy to comprehend. A disorder which affects the brains ability to properly socialize and in many cases function normally. However, when you assign a name and face to this particular disorder like, Cameron Leachman, it's completely different.
In the words of Cameron's father, John Leachman, "When you meet one child with autism, you meet one child with autism", meaning no two cases are the same. In order to really understand it, one would need to spend a day with a family who lives it everyday, and earlier this week I had that opportunity.
A normal day for the Leachman family begins early each morning with most of the attention on their 7-year old son, Cameron, who was diagnosed with autism at the age of 3.
"Cameron's up between 5:45 and 6 o'clock every morning. There are days where he decides to wake up much earlier but never later -- even on the weekend unfortunately," said John, adding, "The first hour of the day is always the most challenging. It's when his focus seems to be at its least."
Cameron and his older sister, Mya, are usually out the door by about 7:20 every morning, along with their mother, Lisa Leachman, who takes them to school.
After mom leaves, Cameron's day kicks into gear. From general education, like spelling, and math to music and art, Accompanied by a variety of therapies (behavioral, physical, speech, just to name a few). Although, the "bad days" make the routine much harder for Cameron as well as everyone around him.
"The bad days are when he's just completely out of his element and doesn't want to in any way do anything other than what he wants to do," added John, going on to say, "that usually lead to behavior outbursts -- crying or physical aggression towards himself or others."
After school let's out, it's John's job to pick the kids up and take them home. And while many families practice what they consider to be "daily routines", in the Leachman house, it's literally a way of life, according to John.
"We come home. He works on specific homework. He works on the same things everyday. We have a very typical routine Monday through Friday."
The entire afternoon is mapped out for Cameron on a calendar in his room and he follows it to the letter. Homework is first (spelling/math), followed by the tough task of picking out a puzzle (not one of Cameron's favorite) and then play time.
"Cameron likes to have the exact same things happen at the exact same time...There was a time in our life where we couldn't even take an alternate route to school. You know, we had to do the exact same stop at the exact same stop sign," said John, recalling how far Cameron's come.
Since then, John and Lisa have worked with Cameron to help him become more flexible with his routine by giving him as much foresight into his day as possible.
And on top of everything else, John and Lisa have had to child proof their home by keeping household chemicals out of reach and reversing locks on the doors.
"Here you have someone with the size and the height of an 8 year old boy but the curiosity sometimes of a very small child," added John.
But the hardest times, according to John and his wife, are the times in public.
"It's not like we all wear shirts that say I have a child with Autism...so sometimes it's looked at as just a misbehaved child or a parent who doesn't discipline. That's probably the hardest thing you have to deal with."
As the sun goes down, the Leachman's practice one more routine -- dinner around the table -- thankful for life, family and of course Cameron, and John says that's what it's all about.
"I just think the dynamic that he's brought ot the house is just is amazing. It's made it home."
Now John hit on just a few of the problems raising an Autistic child in Part 1 of "Autism in NWA". Next Thursday night I'll be going in depth with families from all over Northwest Arkansas, about their struggles, from finances to the divorce rate, including some problems which go unnoticed altogether. Problems like this one from John.
"As a dad you look at -- for me -- my future Razorback or my future Dallas Cowboy, someone I'm going to take hunting, fishing -- do all of those father-son things and we first got that diagnosis... I unfortunately allowed myself to mire in my own self pity for an extended amount of time before realizing it's not about me, it's about Cameron and what I can do for him."
It's the type of stuff you don't think about these parents going through, but it's the reality.
Loading...
10:00
Greg bed-bugging w/ his little Autistic kidsby AutismAuntie6,060 views
Hahahaha I am smart
brenkean 2 days ago
He's just like my brother but to help him with his routines at school he gets medication for it and it really helps him alot
100Awesomegirls 1 month ago
this breaks my heart. my little sis is autistic. she is very high funtioning. i love her and no one can say other wise! I LOVE YOU KAYLA! U R AMAZING AND BEAUTIFUL.
DONT EVER LET ANY ONE TELL YOU THAT THEY ARE BETTER THAN YOU! BC!
UZ THEY ARE NOT
haileymgm1 8 months ago
IM NOT ALONE
LOUISIANASCAJUNS123 11 months ago