MAL'S Place is dedicated to bringing Awareness, Education, Support, to using God's word to bring peace of mind, strength and support to parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, friends and anyone else affected by Autism, and to end the Bullying and Ignorance for EVERYONE who has been affected by Autism. To raise awareness, education, public support and perception about Autism, and eradicate the bi
gotry, hatred and ignorance that those afflicted, and their families, face and endure. Malcolm's Story:
My son Malcolm was up to date, and thriving at the time of his first birthday. Beginning to speak, saying Mama, Dada, Kiki (Kitty), and a few other words. He was a smiling, happy little boy, who loved to cuddle and adored face kisses. He had his 12 month well check a week after his birthday, and with it, his scheduled shots. Up to this point, our only concern with him was that he wasn't using his fingers correctly. (Which we DID determine, through x-rays done by a ortho surgeon) that his little index finger had a bone abnormality, that they felt he would either outgrow, compensate for, or require surgery for when he turned 6. I AM happy to say he seems to have grown into his fingers and this is no longer an issue. However, about 2 or 3 weeks after his well check, we noticed something else. He no longer engaged with myself or daddy. He was content now, to sit outside of play area (wherever we would try and play with him) and bang his toys, instead of playing with them. He stopped smiling. No longer did his beautiful blue eyes sparkle. The biggest heartbreak though, It was 2 and a half years before I ever heard him say "Mama" again. He didn't just stop saying Mama though. His beautiful, blossoming voice, was silenced completely. He didn't babble, or grunt, or anything. He went completely silent. Two years worth of testing, and doctors, mri's, CT scans, overnight hospital stays, hearing tests, neurological and neuropsychological exams, and much more, and we were handed a packet of papers with his diagnosis. Malcolm is Autistic. At the age of 3 (1 month after his birthday, in fact) he was evaluated as having verbal and language skills of a child less than 2 years old. At the time of his first birthday, he was on target. I have said, and will maintain, that I do not know WHAT happened.
