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A few weeks ago a friend who is also a paraprofessional at Nottingham Elementary School called me to tell me about two extraordinary little boys that she works with every day. Her name is Rosina Houle and she has such admiration and affection for these children that she wanted others to know about them. When asked if I would write about them, I hesitated not knowing the families, but it's hard to resist Rosina when she is on one of her high-energy enthusiasm surges.

Both parents were kind enough to allow me to visit with them at home to meet the boys and talk about a diagnosis they both share -- autism. April is the month that has been designated to educate those of us who are unfamiliar with this subject. After talking to Jacqui Folks, mother of Ethan Folks, and Ryan and Sherry Patterson who are the parents of Nick Patterson, I came away with quite a different impression and understanding -- not of the label of autism, but rather one of the family support and love that surrounds both of these boys.

When asked what they would like others to know about their sons, both agreed that Ethan and Nick are just like other boys their age with the same needs and wishes, except in some way they seem to inhabit a world of their own. Ethan will be 7 this summer and Nick is now 7. Both are high energy boys. As I spoke with Jacqui and his brother Bret, who is 8 and quick to share his own stories about Ethan, Ethan dashes into the playroom for a few minutes where the dinosaurs he so loves are kept in special color-coded bins so he can find them easily.

Nick, on the other hand, focuses on his Thomas the Tank engines and track that cover the living room where we visit and he carefully removes my foot that is interfering with his row of engines.

Both boys share a love of numbers, and Nick who for many years focused on freestyle drawing on a tablet is now able to write spelling words on his tablet at school.

Both boys have heightened senses. Jacqui relates how Ethan can hear an airplane when others can't and how too much visual stimulation is disturbing. Nick shares this sensitivity, especially in stores like Best Buy where too many TV screens are on view. When fireworks are shot off during the Fourth of July celebration, Nick covers his ears and takes to his room.

Jacqui and Mike Folks have another son, Garrett who turns 4 in May. Jacqui works from home 40 hours a week, and with Ethan's special needs her life is hectic. But her parents, Brenda and Don Dolina, who are on call whenever needed, support her. They live only a few blocks away and Jacqui speaks of how fortunate they are to have that support.

She said when Ethan needs comforting and is unable to sleep, she calls her father on the phone and he will sing to Ethan or tell him a story until Ethan is calmed.

Insurance does not cover the special services that Ethan needs, but Jacqui is quick to share that Ethan is never viewed as a burden, but rather as a gift. She says he teaches her so much each day and she is not worried about the future, instead taking each day as it comes and believing that Ethan will grow more self reliant each year.

The Pattersons, who work different shifts in order for one of them to be home all the time, live far from family and find the support they need from each other and from their four other children. Childhood sweethearts, they moved to Eudora to be near Ryan's job at Honeywell Aviation in Johnson County. Since Nick is not in need of special therapeutic services, their schedule is not as intense as that of Ethan's parents.

Ryan said the family does not view Nick as "special." He feels the family takes his uniqueness in stride and integrates him into the family. Big brothers Chris, 14, and Matt, 11, and 3-year-old twin siblings Katie and Alex make up their family unit where one senses a unity and gentleness that surrounds not only Nick but the other children as well.

Neither of these parents knew anything about autism when their sons were diagnosed, and as Sherry shares this, a lone tear runs down her cheek. Jacqui related that a year ago one child in 166 was diagnosed, and a year later that is now one in 150.

Both families are also thankful for the support and help provided by the special education program at Nottingham Elementary School and praise the attention and care given to their children by teachers and especially their paraprofessionals who spend so much time with each one every day.

Volumes could be written on the subject of autism from the information given me by both families; but instead of focusing on the differences of the boys, my impression of these two very special families was instead one of the love and affection that surrounds and celebrates their uniqueness.

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