High 5 for IKE!!

This blog has been set up to raise funds for Isaac's Walk Now for Autism Team: "I Like IKE!" 'The Walk' is a division of Autism Speaks a organization that has a goal to change the future for all who struggle with autism spectrum disorders. They are dedicated to funding research for the causes, prevention, treatments, and cure for autism.
Did you know someone in America is diagnosed with Autism every 20 minutes? It's time to find a cure!!
We would Love to ask you to give Isaac a "High 5" by donating $5 (or more if you really want to!) Every dollar helps! All donations will be entered as a general donation for Isaac's walk team, which in turn will go to Autism Speaks. So, even though the $ will be listed under Isaac's team, it is going to help anyone you may know with this awful disease.
Click on the button on the top that says "Donate" and follow the instructions. Donations will go through paypal. If you are not comfortable donating that way, you can always give the $ directly to us and we will get it to the right place!
If anyone is interested in joining Isaac's team, let us know! We'd love to have you. Thank you, thank you for your love and support and your concern for those who struggle with autism every day.

About Autism

Autism is a complex neurobiological disorder that typically lasts throughout a person's lifetime. It is part of a group of disorders known as autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Today, 1 in 150 individuals is diagnosed with autism, making it more common than pediatric cancer, diabetes, and AIDS combined. It occurs in all racial, ethnic, and social groups and is four times more likely to strike boys than girls. Autism impairs a person's ability to communicate and relate to others. It is also associated with rigid routines and repetitive behaviors, such as obsessively arranging objects or following very specific routines. Symptoms can range from very mild to quite severe.

Some interesting facts about Autism:
* It is the fastest growing serious developmental disability in the U.S.
* There is not medical detection or cure for autism
* Autism receives less than 5% of the research funding of many less prevalent childhood diseases.
* 67 children are diagnosed per day

For more info go to: autismspeaks.org

All about Ike

Isaac is 7 years old. He is a sweet boy who loves to swim, watch movies, eat candy, ride horses, play "chase", swing, take baths and laugh! He also struggles with Autism Spectrum Disorder every day of his life. Ike joined our family when he was 8 months old. He was the cutest little baby and very well-mannered. He was easily entertained and always happy. At about 1 year we started noticing that he wasn't babbling or trying to communicate. He wouldn't respond when his name was called. He had some "non-typical" behaviors like flapping his arms and fixating on fans or wheels on toy cars. We contacted early intervention with the school district and thus began our journey!! He was diagnosed with ASD at 23 months old. Although life with our sweet Isaac is difficult at times, we love him to death and wouldn't trade him for the world. He has taught us a lot about life, unconditional love and celebrating the small miracles that happen each day.

p.s. Ike will put on any suit he can find and say "bye bye" (meaning he is ready to go swimming!) Here he is in Gracie's suit a couple of years ago. Funny boy! Only REAL men wear pink Ike!