Meet Alex

Home: Milpitas, CA
Age: 11
Diagnosis: Autism
Favorites: Spelling, typing, playing on the computer, rewinding videos
(especially the credits), swimming, playing with his dog, riding his
bike, pizza, Buffalo chicken wings and his sister, Jen

Alex was diagnosed with autism at the age of three. At the time, we pursued several diagnoses and he was labeled both PDD-NOS and Autistic. It is clear now that despite the fact that he has some great skills, the accurate diagnosis was autism.

Alex has participated in our local school system since the age of three. In pre-school, his education consisted of a home-based Applied Behavioral Approach (ABA) program, special day class and regular preschool with an aide. From kindergarten through third grade, he was fully integrated in a mainstream classroom with the support of an aide as well as some home-based services and speech therapy. When he moved into fourth grade, we decided that due to the dramatic change in class size and the nature of learning and instruction, full inclusion was no longer appropriate. Fortunately, there was a good non-categorical Special Day Class available to meet his needs in our school district. While we have struggled with our school system to secure appropriate services in the past, we now have a pretty good working relationship with the district. His school program is always on our minds and although he will not be attending middle school for a couple of years, we are very concerned about the programs available at that level. As a result of my struggles and frustrations as well as my successes with my own school district, I began to work as an advocate for other families. Know how challenging I found this process, I knew it would be even more of a struggle for those facing language, financial, educational and cultural challenges.

Alex is a great kid and because of our hard work and determination, we have achieved a "fairly normal" life. We participate in our community, travel, going to restaurants and more without much difficulty. I think Alex would probably prefer to stay home in his own familiar routines most of the time, but we have tried and continue to try to expand his world in as many ways as we can. While we have been forced to adjust our perspectives and attitudes to the reality of his autism, we continue to work towards providing Alex as rich and full a home and community life as possible.