Taylor Crowe, Autism from the inside

Thoughts from My Parents:

Taylor's Dad

A Few Words from Taylor’s Father

   I’m happy that Taylor has put this website together. I think it’s a great way to show who Taylor is, where he’s been and where he is going in his life. His is a compelling story that I believe will be interesting and informative for anyone touched by autism in their lives. I’m happy to be contributing to it, offering my insights when I can.
   First, though, I need to mention one thing: I’m not an expert on autism; I’m just a parent. I don’t pretend to have any answers and I’m certainly not touting a “cure” for a medical condition which no one fully understands. My own belief about autism is that it’s a series of disorders that manifest themselves so similarly they all end up having the same label. “Autism” means profoundly different things to different people, and with good reason.
   Another thing I believe is that two individuals with the same “brand” of autism can be extraordinarily different because of the differences in their personalities. This website is about one personality: Taylor Crowe. Ever since Taylor learned how to express himself, he has been able to tell those around him surprising and insightful tales about what his form of autism… and his life… has been like. For those with an interest in autism, what he has to say is definitely worth hearing.

A Few Words from Taylor’s Mother

Taylor's Mom

   Being Taylor’s mother has taught me so much. One significant lesson as I act as an advocate for Taylor has been for me to trust my instincts.
   After Taylor transitioned from that happy, verbal two-year old to a tantruming, sullen and non-verbal three year-old, his father and I first sought help from a pediatric psychiatrist. This physician’s immediate recommendation was for Taylor to be placed in a locked hospital pediatric psych ward for a week, with minimal contact with parents or family. I held such trust in physicians that it was a major step for me to trust my instincts above the physician and refuse this plan. We then sought help from other physicians and institutions whose interventions seemed more reasonable.
   Later, when Taylor was of early grade school-age, a school administrator told me that a special class existed for language-disabled children and that he felt it would be perfect for Taylor. I observed the class at length and knew that this class was not where Taylor belonged. I had taken observational notes, and therefore supported my position at the IEP meeting.
   When we encountered physicians, therapists, and teachers who would benefit Taylor, it didn’t take long for us to know… again, seemingly by instinct. That’s not to say that our path with Taylor has been perfect, but at least we have felt that we made the best decisions we could have at the time.
   Perhaps “instinct” is not exactly what I mean; perhaps I should have said that I trust my heart.