My little six-year-old son, David Patrick Morgan, is a very sweet, loving child whom I would die for. I love him that much.
David seems like most normal six year old kids: that is, he loves to play, run around, eat junk food (I try to watch this), just generally wear me out! LOL However, when he is around other people, the change happens, and it is something I wish I could prevent.
You see, David has autism. Autism is a disability that affects his ability to interact with people. Instead of talking to people, he will look away, or fixate his gaze on something else, or he'll start rocking and/or humming loudly. He doesn't like being around people; people make him uncomfortable.
When he is having one of his "autistic moments" (as I call them), I don't yell at him. Instead, I just take him away from the person, or hold him until he calms down. Sometimes he'll get so upset he'll start crying or screaming, and it is during these meltdowns where I wish I could join him. He frustrates me sometimes.
David looks like your average six-year-old boy: about three and a half feet tall in height, short, black, curly hair, huge, penetrating brown eyes, a beautiful, cherubic face. He looks (and is) reasonably healthy.
His mind, however, isn't like most people's. He would rather be by himself than with people; he cannot hold a meaningful conversation or express appropriate emotions. It's like his brain is out of sync. It's really strange; you never know how he is going to act from one minute to the next: he's so unpredictable.
David goes to a special school for children with autism. There, the teachers/workers work with him on improving his social skills; so far it really hasn't made a difference, but I remain hopeful.
There's this kid I've seen on "America's Got Talent" who has autism, and he's reason enough to give my own child hope. If he can learn to overcome some of the devastating effects of autism, then, by God, so can my David, as long as he has the right help. I believe in my son, and I know that God has something special in store for him!
I will be writing more about David later on, so you won't be hearing the last from me. I have plenty of stories I can tell about my son! Until later, this is Terri signing off; David is yelling for me again; have to see what he wants!
~Terri Laine Hershey, David Patrick Morgan's mommy. :)
