11/25/2025
“Our son, Josiah, was born healthy and developed normally during his first year. By the time he turned three, he had lost some of his hearing, stopped walking, and lost the potty-training skills he had maintained since he was one. We were referred to an autism center where the doctors delivered a diagnosis we did not expect. They informed us that Josiah was severely autistic and would likely not regain the basic skills (potty training, brushing his teeth, chewing his food) he previously possessed. Despite the grim prognosis associated with severe autism, the word ‘likely’ meant to us that he still had a chance to overcome these developmental challenges. We were determined to ensure he led a fulfilling life, so we relocated to a state with more resources and advocated for him to receive a high school diploma. He received amazing support from most of his teachers and therapists along the way. Josiah was able to transition from a self-contained classroom to an Occupational Course of Study program that included a mix of mainstream classes. This academic path enabled him to begin earning credits for his high school diploma and prepared him for employment. Over time, Josiah developed job skills and became increasingly independent. By the time of his final IEP meeting, we were informed that his diagnosis on paper still stated severely autistic and nonverbal. However, we also learned that Josiah was not only graduating with his diploma but was also ranked in the top 15% of his class among 233 graduates. His success underscores the importance of advocacy, teamwork, and determination. Josiah is pursuing his passion for cooking by attending culinary camps and online courses.
His daily mantra is, ‘Do your best work. Love to learn. And make it the best day ever’!”
-Josiah's mom,
All information provided by Autism Speaks - https://www.facebook.com/autismspeaks
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