Our Autism Story: I Have a Beautiful Granddaughter — She Wants to Be a Veterinarian

I have a beautiful granddaughter who recently turned 7. When she was young, she went many times to the ER for banging her head on the floor. I learned how noises and many other environmental factors affect her.

By M.J.

Editor’s note: In recognition of Autism Awareness Month, we invited members of the CHD community to submit their personal stories about autism, and how it has affected them and their families.

I have a beautiful granddaughter — she recently turned 7.

She is high-functioning and verbal. There is only one doctor in the Lehigh Valley who takes care of the children. She said my granddaughter wasn’t autistic because she is verbal and a girl. They found a doctor near Philadelphia who must still be used to diagnose her.

Then, she was given help. Physical and speech therapy and life skills help. These all helped her before she went to school. She was also in a Christian preschool that had a wonderful teacher just for special needs.

They tried a different preschool, but it wasn’t helpful to her. Much needs to be done to help children like my granddaughter so they can fit into the schools. The right help is so necessary.

She had gone many times to the ER for banging her head on the floor when she was young. I learned how noises and many other environmental factors affect children with autism. I try to teach others when some children act out at the grocery store.

She wants to be a veterinarian, and I’m sure she will be a fantastic one. She still hasn’t slept over at my house, but maybe one day.

I have a nephew who is going to graduate this year. He drives and is in the Boy Scouts — we knew when he was two, he would just stare.

My friend has two autistic boys. The older one is nonverbal and goes to school.

The younger one is verbal but really acts out and used to go to school until a few months ago. They held him down to control him for longer than they were supposed to, so now he is home-schooled.

I have another customer with two autistic children in their 50s. I know many in my area. I hope something good will change so there won’t be many more.

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of Children’s Health Defense.

Do you have an autism story you’d like to share with the CHD Community for Autism Awareness Month? Click here for details.