Autism: A Family's Journey

By Michael Terrill

How would you feel if your two-year-old child was diagnosed as autistic and mentally retarded? That he would go into his room and never come out, and would be institutionalized by age seventeen? This was the grim life sentence handed down to Lori and Jim Cairns regarding their son, JR. This diagnosis was made in 1996 - when little was known about autism, governments offered few helpful resources, and hope for recovery was disregarded as a myth, an urban legend. Today many people still dismiss hope of recovery from autism. And yet it can happen. JR is living proof. Now, for the first time ever, the Cairns family and JR's therapists unite to celebrate his recovery and share their story of hope.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dreamscape Media
• Release date: Mar 7, 2017
• ISBN: 9781974994298

Book preview

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Autism - A Family’s Journey

by Michael Terrill

From the film: Autism – A Family’s Journey

Adapted for eBook by Laura Sky Brown, Lorraine Lupo, and John Holkeboer

This edition published by Dreamscape Media LLC, 2018

www.dreamscapeab.com * [e-mail]

1417 Timberwolf Drive, Holland, OH 43528

877.983.7326

dreamscape

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Editor’s Note

Introduction

A Very Different Start in Life

Learning on the Job

Taking Up the Challenge

Starting Immersive Therapy

Early Intervention Sessions—from Eye Contact to Toilet Training

Support Group Setback

The Outside World

The No Funkiness Rule

Discouraging Stimming

Helping J.R. Find the Words

When Does This Child Have Time to Be a Child?

How to Try This at Home

Entering School

J.R. Today: Grabbing Life

POSTSCRIPT

Editor’s Note

This eBook is a companion to the film Autism: A Family’s Journey. In it, the Cairns family recount their experiences with living with autism. Autism is understood as a spectrum disorder, with a range of skill levels and disability. No two people with this diagnosis present in exactly the same way. The Cairns family faced a certain set of challenges with their son’s diagnosis and chose interventions which may be similar or different from other families’ challenges and interventions. Their story is meant to be illustrative but not prescriptive.

The content provided in this eBook is for general informational purposes only. While we have tried to provide current information, we make no representation about this eBook’s completeness as a resource. It is not intended to be a comprehensive work on the subject of autism, autism spectrum disorder, child-rearing, or developmental or mental-health issues. This eBook is also not intended to be a substitute for medical and professional advice from licensed physicians or mental-health professionals. Readers should consult with a professional for matters relating to their children’s mental and physical health and development.

At the end of this eBook, we have provided supplemental information and links to organizations, publications, and resources on the subject of autism. We have no control over the content, nature, and continued availability of these sites and resources. The inclusion of these sites does not imply our endorsement of, or agreement with the views expressed therein.

Introduction

In 1997, the Cairns family received a diagnosis—one that every parent fears. Their