Special Needs Living September 2021 Digital Issue

Page 14

Peterson M E E T

T H E

F A M I L Y

R A I S I N G O N

T E E N A G E B R O T H E R S T H E S P E C T R U M AMBER AND KEVIN PETERSON ARE THE PARENTS OF TWO BOYS, 15-YEAR-OLD PATRICK AND 13-YEAR-OLD EVAN. THE FAMILY HAS 7 DOGS. BOTH BOYS WERE DIAGNOSED AT THE AGE OF 2 WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER. EVAN WAS ALSO DIAGNOSED WITH ADHD AT AGE 5. “WE ARE IN A LOT OF WAYS LIKE EVERY OTHER FAMILY, JUST TRYING TO MAKE IT THROUGH LIFE AND MAKE SURE EVERYONE IS SAFE AND FEELS LOVED AND APPRECIATED FOR WHO THEY ARE AND

Amber, Patrick, Kevin and Evan

THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS THEY ACHIEVE,” AMBER SAID. ONE OF THE HARDEST OBSTACLES FOR HER AND HER HUSBAND HAS BEEN GETTING ON THE SAME PAGE WHEN IT COMES TO RAISING THEIR KIDS. Evan sometimes becomes aggressive and overwhelmed with intense emotion. He is sensitive to a lot of sounds and typically wears headphones that help to block out noise even when sleeping. While he is verbal, he is incredibly shy and timid outside of the home. Evan and Patrick

Patrick, on the other hand, has to be engaged and often prompted in order to fully use his speech skills. Amber says he thinks it is hilarious to yell curse words around the house. He currently enjoys starting the washer and watching it spin. Before, he enjoyed turning the thermostat on and off to hear the click. Patrick likes being outside and often does things he is not allowed to, such as playing with lighters. Patrick, Amber and Evan

14 Special Needs Living • September 2021


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