Annie Lewis' sense of adventure was born long before she became the mother of an autistic child, a role that today often defines her.
Lewis, who lives in East Lansing, Michigan, has been a singing waitress, a private nurse for a millionaire, a ski patroller in Aspen, Colorado, and a precook in a five-star restaurant. She even spent a week as Cher's maid in Aspen.
She has also worked in the hatcheck room in a trendy Aspen bar. She's biked through Europe and China with her husband, Mark Pullano. Her carefree adventures ended dramatically with the birth of her now 8-year-old son, Gregg.
This highly disciplined athlete couldn't train for autism.
What is Autism?
Autism is a neurological disorder that impairs both socialization and communication, explains Kathy Johnson of the Autism Society of Michigan.
Autism Causes
This life-long disability usually appears during the first 30 months of life. Autism occurs in 15 out of every 10,000 births and is four times more common in males than females. Studies indicate that autism is caused by a combination of genetic, medical and environmental factors. It's a heightened sensory response to environmental factors.
Often Misdiagnosed
There's no cure for autism, but with individualized teaching and appropriate therapies, most autistic children do improve and can participate in society, says Beth Cafagna, coordinator of the Lansing, Michigan chapter of the Autism Society.
Lewis believes that autism is often misdiagnosed.
"The fact that these kids are frequently identified incorrectly as behavior problems by everyone from medical specialists to preschool teachers to grandparents is a tragedy and unnecessary," she says.
Gregg was diagnosed early and qualified for important services such as those that help with fine motor skills.
"Early diagnosis and intervention can make a huge difference," Lewis stresses.
Most people envision autistic children as refusing to speak and rocking endlessly. However, Asperger's Syndrome is a form of autism found in higher-functioning children with classic autistic traits. Symptoms include difficulty with socialization, lack of empathy and an unwillingness to be touched.
"When I started reading about Asperger's Syndrome," Lewis says, "Gregg was right there on the page."
At age 4, when Gregg hit and bit his preschool classmates after skilled preschool personnel tried several behavior-modification techniques, he was asked to leave the school.
Today, Gregg is in a regular second-grade classroom with an aide. Some classic autistic traits remain. "He can read and write," Lewis jokes, "but he doesn't do recess."
The challenges of raising a child with autism haven't totally stopped the adventurer in Lewis.
"There are so many people worse off than us," Lewis says. "Our family has it rough, but we have the tools to deal with it. We're educated, we have jobs and we have health insurance," she says. "You can't be selfish when you have a child with special needs."
Lewis has maintained her spunk and her sense of humor in light of a formidable disability. "If you ask for help, you'll do just fine."
Judy Winter is a mother and freelance writer. This column first appeared in the Lansing State Journal section on May 24, 1999. It is reprinted by permission.