Tatum: a happy-go-lucky autistic child

Tatum here is autistic and just turned 6 on December 8th, 2010. 15 months ago she had no words and only ate baby food. Today she speaks, understands most of the time, pretend plays and participates at school in her special ed Kindergarten class extremely well. These things are amazing accomplishments, which never would have happened if we would have gave up on her and the things we always just HOPED she would do one day. Never stop giving all you have to your autistic child, or any child, because they are only limited by what you limit them to.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• autism
• awareness
• tatum
• auntie
• mandi
• gordon
• autistic
• girl
• special
• needs
• counting
• animals
• ice
• skating
• talking

[kelliesmay]

I love watching your videos. She's doing so well! I used to work as an assistant in special ed preschools, a great job but tiring and stressful. You seem to do a great job at letting her by herself, but also pushing a bit to get her to grow and learn.

[AutismAuntie]

@kelliesmay Thank you so much. It is very stressful sometimes. Especially with her brother autistic as well. But we are making it- its very rewarding when they make progress and you know you had something to do with it, even if it's just a little contribution. I know I quiz her a lot but I'm afraid she'll lose her skills because I know another family distantly that has a child very similiar to Tatum, but they never quiz her or work with her themselves so during last summer when this child was...

[AutismAuntie]

@kelliesmay was out of school she lost all her words and her behaviors were worse. That's my biggest worry with Tatum and Logan-- regression.

Thanks again and yes Tatum is very much her own little person ;-) lol and we love her.

-Mandi

[AndeeGH4]

To swagasaurus umm yes this little girl is autistic. I know cuz my niece is and they act the same except my niece doesn't know too much words but she knows how to put things in order. Tatum is precious :)

[SwaggAsarusRex]

i dont think you know what autisum is. that little girl isent autistic -_-

[IndigoCat17]

Her jacket is cute,she is a cutie pie <3

[mbgooley]

so very special ... her articulation of red & white brought tears to my eyes..... thank you for your openness & honesty & joy . So many could take a page out of your book.

[IntellectualsNY]

aw, cute

[aspiemom42]

How did Tatum handle loosing her first tooth? We managed to get a video of Maddy loosing hers "Autistic princess looses her first tooth" Her other lower front fell out a few weeks later and now her top front two are loose as well. It kind of freaked her out at first but now she is excited because she gets "moneys" :).

[kgaccount]

Great channel and wonderful videos. My goodness you are an awesome AUNTIE!

[oasisfb1980]

omg..she's doing sooo good! it gives me hope with my little girl..thanks for sharing :)