Meet the Peterson Family

R A I S I N G T E E N A G E B R O T H E R S O N 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 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.

Amber, Patrick, Kevin and Evan

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. 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.

Evan and Patrick

Patrick, Amber and Evan

Patrick, Kevin and Evan

Both boys like YouTube. Evan makes his own videos (he’s up to 361 subscribers!) and Patrick acts out and recites the entirety of the videos he watches. The boys also enjoy swimming, going to the movies, and eating at Burger King.

Patrick and Evan

Amber said that both boys had previously had many issues with meltdowns, resulting in aggression and destruction of property. But they have come a long way. They now each take care of their respective belongings, like their iPhone and iPad. And like typical teenagers, they don’t want much to do with their parents right now.

Evan

The reason Amber is so transparent about her life is because “I want to share a little about our complex family, so everyone can better understand why I want to advocate and help others. Through my knowledge, personal experience, and education, I have the skills and understanding to help loved ones who have children and family members with special needs,” she said. “I am trying to overcome a lot of the same situations as other [special-needs] families. This includes the intense overwhelming lottery of emotions that comes along with individuals who have special needs.”

Patrick

In short, Amber would like others to view her and her family as a resource. She feels like she is meant to share their journey with other families. “Autism has brought us joy and pain, but we wouldn’t have it any other way,” she said. “I could just use more sleep.”

If you would like to share your personal or family story, or to nominate someone else to be in an upcoming issue of Special Needs Living, Email us at SpecialNeedsLivingIndy@n2pub.com

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