a carrier of autism, Nathan struggles to have a life like any other

Nathan has been diagnosed with autism since he was 6 years old. Despite his handicap, he is a passionate boy who never ceases to surpass himself.

It all started when little Nathan was just a baby. By nature "very calm", the little boy is almost "a cream", as described by his mother Anne V. But quickly, this mother of a blended family of five children, realizes that her son is falling behind. “At the age of 2, he didn't speak, nor did he walk. Overnight, he started running instead of walking. We went from an extremely calm child to an extremely rowdy boy ”, says Anne.

Growing up, Nathan lags behind in toilet training, which prevents him from coming back to school with children his age. “He entered kindergarten when he was 4, instead of 3.” The little boy also has behavioral problems. “Nathan's worry is that everything is exacerbated. He quickly experiences frustration and has difficulty controlling his emotions. ”

“We were told about Nathan in a negative way”

After a month, Nathan's parents are summoned by the director of the public school where their son is educated. “We were told he couldn't keep still, that he had a hard time making himself understood,” recalls the mother. “We were told about Nathan in a negative way, they didn't see him with the intelligence he has now.”

Following this meeting, Nathan's parents were referred to a PMI, the maternal and child protection service, which referred them to a CRTLA (Reference Center for Language and Learning Disorders). “Based on the file we were asked to complete beforehand, the doctor who saw us told us that Nathan may have an ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder).” They contacted the ARC (Autism Resource Center) in their region in order to make all the necessary assessments.

After many exams, the diagnosis fell after 18 months: Nathan has Asperger's autism (better known as Asperger's Syndrome).

"We are very lucky that he is in school"

Today, Nathan, aged 9, is educated in a private establishment, in CM1 class, accompanied by an AESH (accompanying pupils with disabilities). “He works well, he has a lot of abilities. Nathan has made so much progress that he even manages to have adult discussions, like explaining the birth of the solar system. "

Thanks to the help the family benefits from, such as SESSAD, the education and specialized home care service, attached to an IME, this allows Nathan to evolve with the help of many professionals (psychologist, educators, occupational therapist, psychomotor therapist …) who intervene in all places of the child's life such as at school, at the leisure center or at home. The little guy is supported on a daily basis from the CP. This service is supported by the MDPH because its handicap is recognized.

Even if everyday life remains very ritualized "To make him feel safe", Nathan does not present any delay at the school level, he even goes to the canteen and the leisure center. "We are very lucky that he is in school", says Anne. At home, the little boy regularly plays with his sister and brother."They get along very well, they play very well together."

Despite his handicap, Nathan is a curious boy with many passions such as computers, video games, astronomy, volcanoes and even … cathedrals. He even wants to become a scientist and that's what we wish him!