When I was 37, I became pregnant with a child and pregnant with dreams of his or her perfect life. The thought of autism never crossed my mind.

In 2001, my son Daniel was born. He was a peaceful, happy baby. There was no reason for me to think anything was amiss.

At 18 months, however, he began to withdraw into his own world. He stopped looking at people, stopped playing with toys and stopped eating without my assistance. He began to flap his hands for hours each day. I was scared and took him to see our family doctor who recommended I contact Birth to Three.

Birth to Three is a state-run organization that provides help to children who have developmental delays. Birth to Three doesn’t diagnose. Instead, it offers an assessment of the expected development of a child based on his or her age. After an initial evaluation, Daniel received approximately 10 hours a week of free therapy.

I then went to a neurologist for a diagnosis. After observation and testing, Daniel was diagnosed with autism. I was devastated.

All the hopes and dreams I envisioned for my child were ashes at my feet: straight A’s in school, marriage, successful career, grandchildren — all these dreams shattered.

Over the years, my husband and I have explored a host of therapies: speech therapy, sensory integration, vitamin therapy, applied behavioral analysis (ABA), and a dairy- and gluten-free diet. Each has helped. He has made progress, but today, at 10, Daniel is still six years behind developmentally and eight years behind in expressive speech.

There is no magic cure for autism, but progress is possible with a lot of hard work. Daniel is able to love just like other people love. He wraps his arms around me tight and gives me kisses everyday. Who cares about college, marriage and grandkids? Maybe, someday, someone will discover a cure for autism, but until then, I have my son’s unconditional love.

I have learned to celebrate differences.

Daniel’s brain doesn’t work like mine, but he’s uniquely wonderful. All children, no matter if they have disabilities or illnesses, have something to offer.

I have learned how to enjoy simple things again, like pulling grass, tapping rhythms on books, squeezing squishy toys and water play. I have learned that loving someone and being loved in return is more important then a college degree and successful career. I have learned to appreciate Daniel’s every little success and to stop comparing him to other children his age.

Each child is different. Each child has a special gift.

My only lingering request is for society to stop asking, “What’s wrong with him?”

One out of 88 children in America have autism. You, too, can help a family struggling with autism by teaching your children to be kind to those who are different. Everyone can add to the quality of this world. It’s time to love and appreciate each other.

It’s time to be kind, to encourage and support people with disabilities.

It’s time to celebrate our differences.

Dawn Britton is The Spotlight’s advertising representative. She also contributes an occasional column. Dawn can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.