The old saying “what a difference a year makes” keeps going through my mind. This past year has been a whirlwind of activity on so many fronts.

We partnered with Tiny Superheroes. Alvin played in his first t-ball games and hit a coach-pitched baseball at the end of the season. He started to meet with a specialist at the Seattle Children’s Autism Center and finally began to get more resources to help him in the community.

Alvin was unofficially diagnosed with Aspergers syndrome at 3.5, and was just recently officially diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) as he turned 7 last month.

The biggest change that Alvin has had this year is something that we constantly push all kids to do, but with a child diagnosed with ASD can be a huge challenge. Recently, Alvin has gained personal independence. The independence spans so many areas for him -- from being able to dress himself now that he has better fine motor control to having the confidence to participate in his mainstream first-grade class and raise his hand and answer questions. He is proud of what he has accomplished and the independence that has come with it.

Alvin is starting his second year of playing baseball and the confidence he has with his peers is amazing. While he still looks to us for guidance and reassurance at times, he seems confident in who he is and his abilities. He loves the game of baseball and during practices and games can always be found cheering on his teammates and just having fun trying his best.

Then there are the areas of independence and confidence I never thought I would see. After the past year, Seattle Children's Hospital and Autism Center have become places where he feels confident. When we walk in those doors at either place, he knows what to expect and walks from place to place without any issues. He has come to love and trust all of the staff members he comes in contact with during a visit.

The biggest change, though, is at home. A year ago Alvin and his sister Elliot didn't play together much. There was a lot of parallel play between the two of them but very little playing games together. Alvin wasn't really interested in playing games with Elliot or interacting with his baby sister Madilyn much at all. Now he actively seeks them out to play. Elliot has become his partner in crime at home, and when they are out playing at a playground he is never too far out of her sight. They might fight at home, but he has developed a confidence that she will be there and look out for him.

In the end the confidence that Alvin is gaining now in so many areas can only continue to help him. He seems to understand that he is different and is starting to develop the confidence in himself which can only help him later in life.

-          Virginia, Alvin’s mom