Melody's Story

Hi! My name is Melody. I am 3 years old, and I have classic severe autism. 1 in 88 children are now diagnosed with autism. This is my story.

When mommy was pregnant with me, she went in for an ultrasound where it was discovered that I had a 2-vessel umbilical cord. Most babies have 3 vessels. Mommy and daddy were worried but told that it would be monitored and it didn't necessarily mean anything was wrong. But for me, it meant that my growth was on a slower curve than most babies, and this was a concern for the doctors. At 37 weeks, the doctors induced my mommy's labor and I was born at 4 lbs, 9 oz. The doctors couldn't discover why I was small or see that there was any lack of blood flow or anything wrong with the placenta. It is still a mystery. However, my mommy suspects that I would have been a small baby regardless (my sister was born at 6 lbs even and was overdue). When I was born, I was a perfect tiny baby. I spent no time in the NICU and went straight home with my mommy and daddy. From the very beginning, my mommy says that I was very alert and calm. I reached all my milestones on time until about 6 months old. I suddenly was not reaching fine motor or large motor skills milestones. I did not crawl until after I was a year old, and didn't walk until I was almost 2. I was a social baby and though timid with strangers, always smiled with those i knew and loved, and played with them too. 

 At 14 months I said my first word, "Hi". Before that I babbled and mimmicked noises. After that I began to develop a few more words, though at 18 months I was behind in speech. I would wave to people, and show off by dancing. I was always very interested in my mommy's phone. When my mommy got her Iphone I very quickly learned how to use it, almost as well as her. Everyone was always very impressed with how quickly I could figure it out. When I was 2, my mommy had concerns as I was not regularly responding to my name, and hadn't been since around 18 months. I was not bringing her things to show shared interested. I was not pointing. Still, at that time I did not meet the qualifications for the pediatrician's early autism screening. My mommy still felt something was wrong and decided to have my hearing tested. My test revealed that I had hearing loss from multiple ear infections and it was decided that I should have tubes put in my ears.

 My mommy was about to have my sister Brooklyn when I had my tube surgery, and she and my daddy were very worried and nervous. I had a very traumatic experience with my surgery, and mommy believes I experienced some post-traumatic stress because after my surgery, I stopped trusting adults. I had horrible nightmares and would wake often at night, screaming. Mommy had my baby sister and had to spend a week in the hospital and when she came home I didn't adjust well to my new sister. When she cried, it would make me cry because the new noises hurt my ears. My sensory problems got worse, to the point that I no longer wanted to go to my grandmas or my aunt who I loved very much. I didn't want to be around other kids. I just wanted to be alone, with mommy's phone, or being held by my mommy and daddy where I felt safe.

At the end of March my mommy knew I had autism. She had wondered for a long time and finally the symptoms I had were getting worse. The new hearing provided no speech, and every day was a struggle to get through. I had been in the early intervention program for over a year but I was not getting the help I needed and mommy knew it was time to start something new. She got me a speech therapist and an occupational therapist to work with. She decided to get a referral for me to get a diagnosis. Mommy knew, ironically, on autism awareness day, that she was sure I too had autism.

We had to wait a couple of months to get me a diagnosis, but in August 2012 we went to Northwest Neurobehavioral Health and got me diagnosed. The result was classic severe autism. Mommy and daddy were relieved to get me my diagnosis and get me the help I needed. I was able to turn 3, so the Infant Toddler program graduated me to the school district's preschool program. I love my preschool and I even ride the bus! (One of my favorite parts) I have great teachers who are very patient with me. Mommy is currently getting me in to speech, physical, and occupational therapies. She is looking in to possible biomedical and alternative treatments as well. Mommy believes that there is hope for me, not to  lose any parts of my autism that make me unique and special, but to help me live a more independent and fulfilling life.

My favorites:
Food: Bananas, rice, toast, yogurt
Things to do: Take a bath, look at books (on my own!), play with my mommy's Iphone, cuddle with mommy and daddy, watch Elmo, and sing. I also love confined areas where I can get away and feel safe.
When you approach me: Please understand that I might be nervous. I don't have verbal skills, or many social skills. I am happiest when I am not approached- sometimes I might approach you when I feel ready! Please release your expectations of me and allow me to be myself, but don't give up hope that I can get better one day at a time. Please speak to me the way you would any other 3 year old. I just might understand more than you think :)