Creating #Autism Awareness and Providing Support Through Honestly and Android
Elliott Richard’s Corner
Elliott Richard (ER) is our 5 year old miracle child. He survived a VERY complicated pregnancy and was born premature. Shortly after birth his left lung burst followed by his right lung. He then battled pneumonia. It was honestly the most helpless I have ever felt in my life. We were told to prepare for the “worst”, At one point he was almost life flighted to the Cleveland Clinic. He spent almost a month in the NICU but fought through it and came out the other side. He is now, ironically, the healthiest of all the kids. Elliott Richard is extremely advanced for his age.
Elliott Richard 5 years.
He was diagnosed as having Aspergers and is on the very high end of the spectrum. Elliott Richard is our “lady killing” social butterfly. He is mainstreamed and in preschool this year and is doing very well.
He loves animals and anything his big brother Gavin likes. He likes playing his Nintendo DSi and drawing in bed. He is a gentle soul and a very sweet and compassionate little boy. He struggles with anxiety and most likely has ADHD as well. Elliott Richard will be going through the Akron Children’s Hospital Autism Clinic in order for us to become more “Autism Aware” of him. We will get a better idea of what makes him tick and how we can help him with his struggles. Elliott Richard is a “big little” brother. Meaning he is a big brother to both Emmett John and Gavin.
He is always looking out for his brothers but takes a lot of abuse physically from Gavin and physically from Emmett John. We do everything in our power to help Elliott Richard along his journey and we are truly BLESSED to have him in our lives.
This video is a something I put together 4 years ago to celebrate Elliott making it to the 1 year mark. This was a tribute to the NICU that saved his life. I cry every single time……still. It often helps me keep perspective.
What a true little fighter he is! He is the same age as my son (he has diagnosed ADHD and undergoing diagnosis for Aspergers). I wish you well in your journey with him. He is a truly special little boy!
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Thank you very much.
oh my god! i cried a lot when i watched the video. your son is truly a fighter. thank god for such wonderful miracles.
i have a 4 year old son who was diagnosed with mild ASD 6 months ago. as a child, he went through a lot at well. he was born with pierre robin syndrome. a few days later, he was diagnosed with hypothyroidsm. i never heard of these things ever in my life before, so it was a complete shock to me & my husband.
i will never forget the day that i saw him in the NICU, fighting for his dear life as he could hardly breathe. (oh, i am crying so much now…) but he made it through. he had his cleft palete surgery at 10 months old & underwent medications for his hypothyroidism.
as of this writing, he is doing great. we had him go through therapies & is responding quite well. his speech is not as articulate as that of a 4 year old should be, but we are getting there. come this april 2012, he will again go through another palete surgery so that his being hypernasal will be lessened (hopefully it will be gone) & have him on speech therapy.
he such a bundle of joy even if at times, we do not seem to understand each other. but i know, deep in my heart, that he loves me, his dad & his little brother. he may lack the ability to clearly express himself, but i know in time, with our guidance and interventions, he will be just perfect.
thank you for sharing your stories with us. it helps me learn how to deal with my son & understand him even better each day. may god bless you and your family. i admire the love & the dedication that you have for your sons. thank you so much.
Thank you very much…
Very beautiful little boys you have there! Always in my prayers! You inspire me!