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I was a public school counselor for the last twenty
years of my career. With interest, I viewed Keaton’s
school placement and special assistance. Realizing
how very fortunate he was that autism was diagnosed
early in his life, I continue to be thankful for present
day knowledge of such needs. His quality of life is
so much better than many of those who had little or
nothing known about their autistic condition. The
fact that twenty five or thirty five years ago educators
were so poorly informed regarding autism continues
to be a personal regret.
Not long after Mark and Pam moved to Pulaski, one
of my twin granddaughters asked me if I thought that
Keaton would grow up to be like her Uncle Mark and
her Aunt Pam. My careful answer to her was that he
would be himself, and be somewhat like his parents
who raised him. She actually wanted to know if he
would grow out of his autism.
He did well in his academic classes; in his physical
education andmusic classes, he followed instructions,
but not always interacting with his classmates. His
aide was there to accompany him on walks in the hall
when Keaton needed a change, or became restless.
The library was a possibility as Keaton loved books.
The playground was a favorite, and there was a
therapy room he could visit.
His distraction that year was his observation of the
students in the special education class. Some of these
children had physical disabilities, others had mental
or emotional limitations. He felt sorry for them
and was fascinated by them at the same time. The
situation was instrumental in his parents’ decision