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Elijah Hall and his mother, Jean (McBride) Ward. (Submitted photo) |
Elijah Hall suffers from autism, a complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life and affects a person's ability to communicate and interact with others.
Elijah's case is typical of other Indiana children, who suffer from autism.
The 14-year-old is currently an eighth grader at Sullivan Junior High School. He was born in Linton and attended kindergarten at Linton-Stockton Elementary School before transferring to the Monroe County School District because of his autism.
"They (Linton school officials) realized that he wasn't like the other kids in his abilities to function around other kids. It was really hard for him to be around other kids," his mother, Jean (McBride) Ward explained as the reason for his transfer. "He started acting out in unusual ways. He wasn't the type that ever did head-banging and stuff like that. He just didn't want to play with others.
"It's really hard with Elijah with any kind of change. With him, just to function every day and to get out of bed in the morning is a challenge."
Keeping up with his care is a never-ending job for his mother, who is a Linton native.
She's a single mom.
Elijah's dad, Darrell Hoffman, died in 2002 of cancer.
His mother was told that Elijah could receive better educational opportunities in Bloomington, but after attending three different schools, Elijah was enrolled in special needs classes at Sullivan in a pursuit of what is best for her son.
"We've moved around a lot to try and find a place where Elijah would fit in," his mother said. "We didn't gain a thing. In the six years (at Bloomington), really Elijah lost a lot."
Ward is very pleased with her son's current teacher, Dana (Cobb) Williams, a native of Linton, who's worked with her son for the last three years at Sullivan.
"The reason why the school is really doing well for him is because Elijah has to have -- like most autistic children -- severe structure," his mother said. "He still talks in one-to-three-word sentences. Since he can't speak, if he can't get his point across, he gets really angry."
Today, the two live near Sullivan.
She works part-time for her oldest daughter Crystal and her husband, Jeremy, of Linton, who operate Ferree Log Homes. She helps with the sale of their log home products.
Elijah remains an active member of the Greene County Special Olympics track and field team -- competing for the last couple of years in the 800-meter run, turbo javelin throw and shotput.
"He needs stuff like that. It's good for him. It lets him get rid of so much of that stuff that is in there that he can't communicate out," Ward said.
Caring for an autistic child is a challenge and changing predicament, according to Ward.
People with autism are sometimes overly sensitive in sight, hearing, touch, smell, or taste.
For, example, Elijah has trouble wearing "itchy" clothes or shirts with stitching that rubs his skin and becomes distressed if he is forced to wear the clothes.
He also has unusual distress when routines are changed.
Autistic children also perform repeated body movements and show unusual attachments to objects.
"Since he's been born, he hasn't slept over 30 minutes a time at night. That's been his life. That has been my life. I'm at a state now with his age that I can't handle him," Ward said in explaining that she had to quit her Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) job, which was her career for 28 years.
Caring for an autistic child, like Elijah, is also dangerous.
Ward has been kicked, punched and pushed by her 190-pound son during of an outburst, or "meltdowns" as she calls them.
Elijah has also started fires in the home, which were extinguished, but nonetheless, it is a constant worry for his mother.
"This is something that a lot of autistic parents don't talk out fully about," she said.
This week, Elijah was released after doing his second five-day stay at Damar Services, in Indianapolis -- a treatment center that specializes in care of autistic patients -- after his latest fire incident about three weeks ago.
Unfortunately, Ward said insurance will only pay for a five day in-patient treatment in Elijah's case, which has been termed nothing more than a "cooling down period" by the doctors treating him.
"At Damar, (admissions) are usually court-ordered or straight cash," Ward said.
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I'm a mother of an autistic daughter and I know where you're coming from. She's now 16 and, as the years have gone by, I was hoping things would get easier for her, but I really don't think they have. She's a teenager..wanting to BE a teenager, but no one wants to "hang out" with her, she's not on the same thinking path as other teenagers....therefore, she's still in her own little world, as it's referred to. Fortunately, she's had wonderful support with teachers, and has made great progress throughout her school years so far. She has a seizure history, therefore..she's on medication daily. She wants to live with me for the rest of her life...and, it bothers me every single day to think that one day I won't be here and wonder who will care for her, be there for her when she needs someone...it's scary for me and very heartbreaking. I've tried to prepare her over the years, letting her know that things in life DO change..but it's hard explaining that to an autistic child who wants and thinks that everything should stay the same. I feel for you, you are in my prayers. By the way, the picture of you and your son is beautiful.
As an educator who is familiar with children of all abilities, I am glad to see this article! It is important to share with the general public. Many people who are unfamiliar with Autism and other conditions have no idea what the child and their parents have to deal with on a daily basis. Hopefully this will help the community to be more educated and therefore tolerant.
My nephew is autistic and my sister-in-law has had great results with the gluten free and casine(sp?) diet. It made a huge difference in his speech and "meltdowns". I know everyone is different I just thought I would put it out there.
Thank you lintonite..I'm very happy for the info. There's never enough information. As parents, there are times when we feel helpless..not knowing what to do, or who to turn to. I've been hoping and praying that there will be more awareness, that soon everyone will understand and help these kids.
I am in her shoes. I pray she has the strength and support needed for this. This is something that many families deal with and many with out the support they need. People please be understanding to this situation whether u like her or not she is facing some pretty serious things, and not just her, her son her other children and any one else in the family that deals with it. Have some respect. She is in my prayers with all of this.
Jean, I myself do not know a lot about autism however there is a website called valleymoms.com it was started by some ladies in terre haute it is a forum type setting and you would have to sign up for it. Also it is a free webite, you can pay for a higher membership if you would like but i know there a re a couple moms on their that are parents of children with autism. I dont know if they would have any ideas for you to get some assistance or not but it would be worth a try. Just thought I would let you know. If nothing else you would be able to talk with other moms that might understand your situation. I will be praying for you and your family.
I am currently teaching Special Education at the middle school level. One of my kids is Autistic, which is no easy task. I am truly impressed with the resources available for my students. The possibilities are endless.
In my short teaching career, I have found the simplest of interventions are the most successful. I have learned a stress ball and an open window change the dynamics of my students. There is no easy way to find these interventions, we must be creative. With the push toward inclusive education, the structure these students need is often jeopardized. As an educator, I must prevail though.
God has placed your son with you for a reason. It takes a very passionate person to understand and appreciate the struggles the child is forced to deal with, nevermind the parents. It is comforting to know Greene County Daily World understands the impact of this story. This piece could change a community's stance on one topic that should not be pushed away. 1 in 110 children are diagnosed with Autism, the next one could belong to anyone reading these posts.
Good bless you and your son.
There are many forms of Autism..every child is different. But, the possibilites are endless, as Zack said. I was told that my daughter wouldn't graduate high school with a diploma, only a certificate of completion..really? She does the same work as everyone else in her class..she is in the 10th grade. Although it has to be presented to her in a different way, she still does it, and never misses an assignment. She has proven to everyone, that she IS going to get her diploma. She doesn't talk the same as everyone...she has meltdowns...she used to bang her head...she gets angry and frustrated. She didn't talk in full sentences, talking is still frustrating for her. She hates change, she hates certain smells, hates some kinds of clothing that cling to her...loud noises are hideous to her. She won't interact with people, other than family...even then, someone has to say something to her to acknowledge family...the list goes on. I want to say, that there is hope. I want more awareness. It's a stuggle, it's heartwrenching..it's our children, our families that need support and understanding. My daughter is 16 and autistic...she will always be autistic and she even has seizures. I hope and pray that one day, there will be a cure..a prevention. I don't know. The only thing I DO know is..I wouldn't change her for the world. She's beautiful, she's wonderful..no matter the struggles that she has and will encounter. I tell her this every single day. God Bless..if anyone wants to talk..leave me a message on here. All of us needs support.
I love this photo of you and your beautiful son, it is awesome!
God bless you both...
Jean,
The picture of you and your son is great. He is one nice looking young man! I don't know if this will be of any help but, Riley Children's Hosp. in Indy has a Dept. dedicated soley to children with Autism Sprectrum Disorders. They have very cutting edge treatment approaches and may be able to offer something you could find helpful.
Second - a friend of mine had an autistic child who also had trouble communicating and would become very frustated when he could not say what he wanted to say. One day his parents bought him a keyboard. He became a different person. He opened up and "talked" non-stop. The words are there, they just need a vehicle from which to speak. I don't know if the exact thing would work for your son, but it's something to think about. He graduated from college a few years ago. The only things that are impossible are the things we let ourselves believe are impossible.
Third - Actress Jenny McCarty had an autistic son. Her son is much younger than yours, but she has become quite an advocate for autistic children. She has a wedsite, just wrote a book and some other stuff that you might find helpful. Lots of people have talked about the gluten-free diet.
Fourth - And this may be completely unrealistice for you. To join a support group and get some respite care. Caring for an autistic child is both a joy and a very hard job. You sometimes need a break to spend time with your family, friends or even by yourself. You need to be able to go to the grocery store, take a shower, take a nap, see a movie, drive around the block. It doesn't matter what it is, but you need to know that if you leave the house, both your son and the house are safe. You will be the best caregiver you can be for your son if you are given the opportunity to relax and refresh yourself, if possible. If you can't work it out to get respite care, try to find someone your son trusts that would be willing to come over a couple times a weeks for a couple of hours a time to help both of you out.
Best wishes to both of you. I hope your son has the opportunity to do everything he wants to do.
There is a Autism Support Group at Regional Hospital. It is called P.I.E.C.E.S(Parents Informed Educated Connected Empowered Supported). We meet every second Friday of every month in classroom 1 at 6pm. If you would like to have any further information on the meetings P.I.E.C.E.S does have a facebook page http://www.facebook.com/pages/Terre-Haut...
About a month ago there was lady featured on "The Doctors", the afternoon show on CBS who had an autistic son. He was younger than your son but she has found something that has worked for him. Being desperate she began giving him medical marijuana and has seen marked improvement in his communication abilities and diminished acting out behaviors. She is working with Dr.s to research this option. You may be able to go online to The Dr.'s website and watch the clip from that story.
I worked many years in a state facility and at Damar in indy and have seen first hand all of the ups and downs of this condition. I have been a crisis intervention spec. a medical tech and a daily living coach. It will give me great pleasure to offer my services as a sitter so you can get out occasionally. We all need a little break even when we deal with what we call normal teens.
dennisb1953- my email is sunshinemonique@gmail.com. I am Jean's daughter, Sunshine. Can you email me your info and prices for sitting? My mom needs a break every now and then and you seem to have great references. Thank you!