Youths with autism show difference a year makes

When we left the Rushin family last spring, 10-year-old Ben was standing atop the champion's tier at the Jackson Youth League Wrestling tournament, proudly waving over his head the tournament bracket that showed his first-place finish.

Twenty-two-year-old Taylor Crowe was a student at the California Institute of the Arts in Valencia, Calif., living out his dream of becoming an animator.

Seven-year-old Ben Petzoldt was talking only a little and needed popcorn as a reinforcement for completing tasks. His lack of fear and tendency to walk off by himself kept his parents constantly on edge.

Those four, along with the other 13 autistic children introduced in "Piecing Together Autism," have made giant strides over the past 12 months.

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Ben Rushin's pride at winning the wrestling tournament didn't dissolve when he stepped down from the winner's podium. It grew into confidence. Since losing his ability to speak at age 2 and being diagnosed with pervasive development disorder, Ben struggled with his motor skills. This made him uneasy about participating in new activities.

This year, Ben again won first place in the youth wrestling tournament. He joined an AAU traveling wrestling team and his speech has improved through continued therapy.

"He signed up for baseball, but it's hard for him to teach his muscles what they should do in throwing and things like that, but we're working on it," said his mom, Debby Rushin.

Debby said her son's hand-eye coordination is much faster than it was last year and attributes that to wrestling.

But the biggest difference is Ben's confidence in himself.

"Since the success he's had with wrestling, it's given him the confidence to want to try new things," Debby said.

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Taylor Crowe, who was diagnosed as autistic in 1985, was already far more successful that doctors originally said he would be by the time we spoke with his parents last year.

"He's kind of on a mission," said Taylor's dad, Dr. David Crowe. "He feels like he can make a difference and help people understand what the possibilities are and also how to interact with children with autism."

Taylor will spend his summer vacation in Cape Girardeau and already has plans for landscape painting.

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When you say hello to Ben Petzoldt today, he'll say hello back and even use your name in his response. Ask the 8-year-old what city he lives in, and he'll promptly offer up "Jackson, Missouri."

Eventually, Petzoldt hopes her son will be able to go to school.

"In the back of my mind, that's always been my dream for him," she said.

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In March, "Moon" Childers stood next to his classmates on a stage at South Elementary School in Jackson, singing and dancing in the school's spring music concert.

A year ago, a room full of people clapping would have brought the kindergartener to tears.

"Last year, he would have expected me to be right there with him, holding his hand," said Sabina Childers. "He is growing up and maturing and working so hard in school and at home. He is one of the kids that is going to be OK. He will still have autism but he's not going to let it slow him down."

Moon's biggest gains have been in language and fine motor skills. His writing has gone from toddler scribbles to writing well enough that most of his words are legible.

"As far as language goes, he still has a long way to go, but he is much better with conversations," Sabina Childers said. "It is so great to hear him talk about events and things he remembers long before he began talking and even during some of the times we thought he was totally oblivious to the world."

"The best part of all is when we hear him say things like, 'I love you mommy and 'I love daddy and Brandie and ... .' He includes everyone he knows and even a few favorite toys," she said.

cmiller@semissourian.com

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