April is Autism Awareness month so I thought I would introduce you to my beautiful, amazing daughter Melody. Her name says it all and 9 times out of 10 if you knew her you would agree.
Mel (her nickname) wasn't diagnosed with autism until she was 13 years old.
When my husband and I finally got the diagnosis it was bitter-sweet. Bitter because maybe we could've somehow got help sooner. Sweet, because we treated her like her sisters so she had to do what they were doing but at a slower pace so she can do everything they can do.
When we told Mel of the diagnosis she said whew I thought I had AIDS! We laughed so hard and said no baby girl you were gifted with the gift of autism!
Here is some info about autism in girls and why she wasn't diagnosed until she was 13.
Here's Why...
Autism is a developmental disorder that is marked by two unusual kinds of behaviors: deficits in communication and social skills, and restricted or repetitive behaviors. Children with autism also often have sensory processing issues. But here’s the hitch, according to Susan F. Epstein, PhD, a clinical neuropsychologist. “The model that we have for a classic autism diagnosis has really turned out to be a male model. That’s not to say that girls don’t ever fit it, but girls tend to have a quieter presentation, with not necessarily as much of the repetitive and restricted behavior, or it shows up in a different way.”
Mel shines her light bright wherever she goes. She loves God, music, food and the list can go on!
This young lady has beaten many odds but she just began to scratch the surface! We are honored God picked us to be her parents!