MSNBC - When Does Autism Start?

MSNBC - When Does Autism Start?

That's a good question. For our family, it wasn't early on with our first child. He started off fine, then regressed over the past couple of years. It's not autism like many of you think. While I am certainly not an expert, autism covers a really big spectrum. Our son is on the upper end (high functioning) of the spectrum, and is mild at that. If he's mild, I would hate to think how difficult every day is for someone who is not mild on the upper range of the spectrum. Our son has what is commonly known as Aspergers. Aspergers presents itself very differently from most other forms of autism, but similar in other aspects. He is a very intelligent, bright boy. He does have the ability to focus for long periods of time on a single task or thought. His passion keeps him from interacting like others, and it keeps him from remembering to do the simple things in life that others take for granted without being reminded constantly. Taking showers, brusing his teeth, coming down with the time meets his schedule is a constant daily battle. Interruption of a daily routine (once established) can make us reset to ground zero and start the long process again of setting up that routine.

Fortunately, the family has been working with a very good psychologist to help us fix these issues. They problems have been going on for years, but we've only engaged with doctors over the past two. He's ultimately smart -- too much for his own good. Now we are trying to work through these issues to get the last years he is here turned into bearible ones. Also, he needs this support if he's ever to make it on his own in college or afterwards. God help us all...

My daughter's namesake

Recently, we received the obituary from Mrs. Stapelfeldt. She was my wife's voice coach for more than ten years. She made such a big impression on my wife, that our youngest daughter is named after her. Here is a summary of her life, as written in her obituary:

Katalin Szekeres Stapelfeldt was born in Hungary on March 4th in 1920. Her childhood was spent on horseback and at the piano. Katalin came from a cultured and privileged family. She received her education in Hungary and Austria. She lost most of her family during World War II and struggled to survive under the Communist regime, returning to the conservatory of music for yet another degree. She applied her education and her unique gift to develop a well-recognized music, mostly piano and voice, practice in Wilton, Connecticut.

Throughout her career she lectured at several universities to teachers and professors on the Koday solfège method general and her own theories of pedagogy. She was loved by her fellow musicians in Europe and in the United States for her bold, bubbly personality and humor. Nothing seemed impossible to her.

Through her teaching, she helped many challenged children to reach a happy and healthy adulthood. She brought out the best and the most of every one’s potentials. Many of her students kept in touch with her well into their adult life for 20 to 30 years. Katalin retired in Churchton, Maryland but acquired a few select students and held recitals at the First Baptist Church in Shady Side. Her old students, now adults, carne from as far as Washington DC and Connecticut. Her home was open and welcoming not only to her family, but to all those who came from near and far to visit. Many felt a great loss of a great lady of music. She died peacefully in her home Christmas Eve, 2004. She will be missed.

Katalin left behind her husband of 47 years, Wulf Dietricht Stapelfeldt, her daughter Borbala Cosson, granddaughter Victoria Felicia Sutton Garte and two great granddaughters, Nicold Fleicia Garte and Maxi Michelle Garte.

Crash, bang, boom

Take one cold winter night -- mix in slightly wet roads, one truck, two cars, and one driver off in her own world. The recipe for success, right? Not hardly.

My wife was in an accident last night. Fortunately, no one was hurt badly. The second driver was simply not paying attention. She pulled in front of my wife as if she didn't exist. My wife's big truck didn't get hurt too bad - but we'll be without it for a while.

The funny thing about a situation like an accident is that memories come back afterwards.

I can't say enough about the professionalism of the police department. The main officer in control was just that -- in control. He said that a three car accident is the worst kind. I sort of missed that, but it could have been because I was outside for 2 hours in the cold.

So, now we get to fight with the insurance companies (especially the one from the driver not paying attention), and with the local body shops. Perhaps we'll get lucky, perhaps it'll be a fight. Time will tell.

The metal and the plastic will be repaired. Everyone is safe - and that is all that really matters.