Bob and the McBean (Tommy) and I live in Michigan. Bob and I work at the University and the McBean is in Kindergarten. The McBean is a child with autism (and ADHD and Sensory Processing Disorder). While he is very high functioning, every day is a new and exciting challenge. We have been living with an official diagnosis for about a year now and we are still navigating our way with the help of psycologists, psyciatrists, speech therapists, OTs, aides, IEPs and now medications. We know that this is a lifelong process and our hope is that by dealing with it head-on now, we can make things easier for the future.

Great things about the McBean: He is very smart with an almost ridiculous memory. For example, he can remeber the names of the past winners and even contestants from Jeopardy shows that aired months ago. I cannot tell this child we are going to do something "later" and then not follow through, as he will remember what I told him. He is very sweet and funny.

Challenges with the McBean: He is very stubborn and set in his ways (for a 6-year-old). He likes to stick to his routines. He can be obsessive about a particular genre or theme (right now it is Star Wars).

We are doing all that we can to help the McBean and I am so thankful for the wonderful professionals that we are working with to give the McBean all the tools and help so that he can grow up and be a strong, successful and independent man.