This is Landon. He is almost 13 years old and is my very special one and only grandson. He is a gentle soul - although my dogs think of him rather differently and let him know it each time he enters my house! He and some friends teased them years ago and they've never forgotten it or forgiven him.

Landon was 4 when his parents split up and he and his 2 sisters came to BC from AB to live. Although his mom married a very nice fellow several years ago and he now has a new sister who is almost 5, Landon has remained close to his biological dad who has also remarried. Landon and his sisters visit their dad and step-mom's family during the summer and for most school holidays. It's nice to see a mom and dad who although divorced still maintain a shared love and concern for the wellbeing of their kids.

Blended families, with step-parents and step-sisters or brothers, are not easily managed however. The stress on a new bride of finding herself with 3 children from a husband and his ex-wife must be enormous. And the stress on the children to fit in and find their new place in changed circumstances is not easy either. It doesn't take much of a complication to throw an already fragile situation off-balance.

Landon's thought processes have always seemed somewhat different in subtle ways, and his take on things was always very interesting. He is curious about things that other kids are not, and he is not satisfied with easy or superficial answers to questions. His social interactions and responses to stress are complicated by what was just diagnosed this year as a relatively common (increasingly so) developmental disorder. We are now hopeful that we and his teachers will be able to help him navigate his remaining school years with less trauma and more success than he has experienced thus far.

As Landon continues to develop insight into himself and find creative ways to express thoughts, opinions and feelings freely and safely, we too can get rich glimpses into the heart and soul of this young man. The more we can understand the mind of this boy the better our ability to be of assistance to him in forging his own path to the future. There is an intelligence within that is not immediately visible and it means we have to look longer and deeper to see it - but it is definitely there.

I am very proud of my grandson and how he works through the many struggles common to those coping with the varied faces of autism. He will not only find the way to survive in the reality of his world - he will thrive! He will succeed and we will be there every step of the way to cheer him on!

Labels: autism