AUTISTIC &
AWESOME by Jean Eisenmann | photos courtesy of Lewisville Independent School District
T
he road can be rough for the parent of a special needs child. Autism is one developmental disability that thrusts both the child and parent onto that rocky path filled with challenges. The journey’s ultimate destination is reached when that child begins to live a relatively functional and happy life. Children with severe autism experience symptoms that are pronounced and face behavioral challenges that affect how they interact with others, learn, and communicate. They require help with the day-to-day functions that we take for granted. Caleb Diaz of Flower Mound was diagnosed with severe autism when he was just 3 years old.
“The non-verbal part is the worst. I never experienced the joy of hearing my son call me mom… even once!”
“He always had been non-verbal, not much for eye contact, and there was a lack of communication. When you called his name, he didn’t acknowledge you,” his mother, Veronica, recounted. “The non-verbal part is the worst. I never experienced the joy of hearing my son call me mom…even once!” Caleb’s typical behavior was to pace back and forth, flap his hands, and create tantrums. At that time, the Diaz family was living in Odessa, and the boy’s doctor was in Lubbock. Once Caleb’s diagnosis was determined, the doctor had little hope that Caleb would become verbal nor even perform an action as fundamental as becoming potty trained. The eldest of two neurotypical (non-autistic) siblings, Caleb required specialized attention. When homeschooling failed to render improvement, Veronica joined a local Facebook club called “AUsome Moms,” a non-profit support group based out of the Dallas-Fort Worth area. The group is made up of moms who have kids on the Autism spectrum. “They told me really good things about Flower Mound schools for special needs
26 | FLOWER MOUND TOWN LIFE | JULY 2021
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