Ryan’s Autism Recovery: His Mom Knew He Was In There

Today’s guest blog comes courtesy of Marcia Hinds, autism mom on a mission to change the face of autism and spread the message that autism is medical and treatable. This post, originally published in Autism Eye Magazine and posted here with permission, was written by Marcia’s son Ryan. Ryan bravely shares his story to benefit other families affected by autism. I am incredibly grateful to both Marcia and Ryan for inspiring families to begin or continue their autism recovery journey. You can preview Marcia’s book about Ryan’s recovery on Amazon when you “Look Inside” or on her website www.autism-and-treatment.com.

My mom wrote a book about my recovery from autism. How many kids have a mother who writes a book about every detail of their childhood? This is when I stand up, raise my hand and uncomfortably whisper, “I do.” Her book is called I know You’re In There.

My mom asked me to read the book before it was published to see if I was okay with the things she wrote about me. That was hard to do. I learned about events I didn’t remember and things that were just embarrassing. I know I shouldn’t be concerned about the weird things I did back then, but I was ill. I would rather continue on with my life. I want to forget what’s past. Still, I can’t do that. It is too important to let others know that those debilitating effects autism can have on people and their families is treatable.

It’s because of my family that I’m okay and have a pretty typical life. When I look at my life now, it’s hard to think of it being any other way. I work as a engineer at a major aerospace company. My favorite things to do are go surfing with friends and walk dogs at the animal shelter. I also like to find new recipes to serve when my friends come to my apartment to have dinner and discuss politics. Recently, I vacationed in Bali with one of my best friends from college. I plan to go surfing in Panama in a few months with another friend. I totally enjoy life!

Some people think we should just accept autism. And that if a child is treated, it changes who that kid is. I am still the same person I was, only now I’m happy and can enjoy life. It is hard to understand that children are not receiving proper medical treatment because some people think we should celebrate autism. When doctors believe the medical issues associated with autism are just part of a “developmental disorder” children are not treated for the same medical conditions as other kids. Is that really okay?

It is hard for anyone to imagine what their life would look like under different circumstances, but I’m pretty sure it wouldn’t involve surfing in Bali or Panama. My life could have been very different if my family had accepted how my life was and if my parents had listened to the ‘experts’ when I was first diagnosed.

It is because my family never gave up on me that I live the life I do. When the doctors said there is no recovery from autism, there was no cure and there was no hope, my family still didn’t give up. Because, like the title of the book, they knew I was in there.

Can autism be cured? I can only speak for me, and I’m not cured. What bothers me most about once being on the spectrum is that I’m still dependent on medications that make my immune system work properly. If I forget to take the meds I start to feel weird. I need these medications to feel ‘normal.’ That’s why I say I’m recovered and not cured. It’s kind of like a diabetic who needs insulin to be okay.

While I want to provide hope and encouragement to others, I still have mixed feelings about telling our story. I don’t want anyone to realize I am the same person who was once in the third percentile for speech when I entered kindergarten and had to be taught how to smile.

I’m uncomfortable sharing that I used to make strange noises, bit my sister, and played with faucets instead of toys. And who needs to know that I used to carry around a portable radio all day long and plugged it into every outlet in our house over and over again?

It is awkward that my dad was forced to stop at Jerry’s hardware store before we went anywhere without my mom. That’s where my friends, the extension cords and plugs, lived. Stopping there first prevented the ginormous meltdowns I’m told I used to have when he just wanted a guy’s night out.

Anyone who has read my mom’s book knows she is quite stubborn and can be quite obsessive when on one of her missions. This is not a criticism, just a fact. I’m not bothered by this personality trait. It was because of her tenacity and perseverance that I got better. But I worry that she is putting our family out there in her attempt to help others. Mostly, I don’t want anyone to question the things my mom wrote in her book. Some will say I never really had autism or that I was only mildly affected. I wish that were true.

Still, as much as I care about my mom and think what she is trying to accomplish is important, I do tire of hearing her talk non-stop about autism to anyone who will listen. My family taught me, when I still had autism, I shouldn’t talk about the same subject over and over again. Maybe I need to get a little ABA behavioral therapy for her.

Seriously, I understand why my mother does this. Marcia just wants the same life I know have for every individual who struggles with autism. She wants every family in the A-club to know autism is treatable and recovery is possible. What she is doing is important, in addition to being somewhat annoying. Our story has a happy ending, but how many parents are still told there is no hope for this children’s futures? And how many kids will not get better as a result?

 

Marcia Hinds is a motivational speaker and autism parent. Her powerful message has been featured at autism conferences all over the United States. Marcia’s inspirational book about Ryan’s recovery makes you rethink autism. I Know You’re In There shares what her family did to help Ryan and tells their story in a way that is heartbreaking, heartwarming, and sometimes hilarious. Marcia has a B.A. in Psychology/Sociology from UCLA as well as a teaching credential. But Marcia’s most impressive credential is that she is Ryan’s mother and their family survived autism. For more info go to www.autism-and-treatment.com.