Sawyer made the DoD EFMP Newsletter

I got a phone call from the EFMP Director on Post that there was a writer who needed to interview a parent of an autistic child for National Autism Awareness Month. I agreed and did a phone interview. The result is below. I couldn't be more pleased with her descriptions of Sawyer and what a blessing he is to us! It took forever to figure out how to take a jpg file and get it on here so I scanned in the hard copy, but then it was hard to read so I copied the text at the bottom. It won't let me do paragraph breaks, but if your interested, I think you can get through it! Thanks for reading!

April 2012 Department of the Army Exceptional Family Member Program ~ April: National Autism Awareness Month ~ Five‐year‐old Sawyer has ‘big plans’ Sawyer Carlton is a pint‐size happy little tike with big plans: To grow up on pepperoni pizza and chicken strips and to become a professional ball player; he wants to become a professional golfer, too (but that’s in his spare time). Ideally, whichever jersey he wears will feature his favorite color: Green. For now, the 5 year old is content with learning how to play tag and other social playground games. It’s a complex world out there for a mind that is so literal; there are few hard‐and‐fast rules. If only there were rules.… Sawyer is a lot like other boys his age, only he also happens to be diagnosed with autism. April is National Autism Awareness Month. Many Exceptional Family Member Programs(EFMPs) have special activities planned to raise awareness. For instance, EFMP Manager Jennifer Buford held an information booth at the Post Exchange at Fort Leavenworth during World Autism Awareness Day (April 2); this is in addition to her regular parent support group activities and a bowling event for children with special needs. A similar display is planned on April 28 during the CYSS Family Fun Fair at Fort Meade, said EFMP Manager Caraline Someck. Linda Moseley was newly assigned to her EFMP installation this past month(Presidio of Monterey). Her goal was to bring military and civilian parents together on April 12 for a speaker to talk about services and treatment options for children with autism. EFMP Manager Terry Rogalla (Fort McCoy) noted that an article is planned for his installation newspaper, and the Child Development Center staff wore blue as part of Light It Up Blue Day (April 2) to raise awareness, as well. April is just another month like all the others for Sawyer and his Family, which includes four older siblings. Autism is a lifelong journey. Mary Carlton still remembers the day when doctors finally had answers. Her son was 14 months old when she and her husband, LTC Charles Carlton, started asking questions. Sawyer was 3 years old when the answers came. By then, Charles Carlton was on deployment. “That was one of the hardest things for me,” she recalled. “I had to explain to him on Skype what was going on and what we have to do next.” There was a period of denial at first. Then came the second and third opinions, plus more tests. “Eventually, we had lots and lots of data, and then it became: ‘So, now what?’” The parents looked around and found themselves amazed at what all was available for services. They put one foot in front of the other and moved forward. Mary Carlton swears by early intervention. “We’ve learned a lot. With a diagnosis, they helped us understand there was a reason for the things he did and the behaviors he had,” she explained. “Behaviors we used to think were simply spoiling or defiance now make sense. It's like suddenly you open your eyes and think, ‘How did I not see this before?’ It's not under his control. It's not his fault.” One thing the Carltons have learned is to adhere closely to a schedule. Change can be a catalyst for an outburst. “It’s okay to alter plans, if we let him know what’s going on. He may not like it, but he’s okay – as long as he knows in advance.” “We’ve been blessed to have really great services at such an early age – particularly ABA therapy. That’s just been amazing. I can't say enough about it.” Getting involved in the parent support group has helped tremendously, too, Carlton said. You learn so much from other parents, ideas you never would have thought of otherwise. “Just to hear you're not the only one matters in some small way, sometimes.” She also blogs about her experiences and has a support group on Facebook. A parent of an older child with Asperger’s serves as her mentor. “That helps bring perspective when things are more challenging.“ Counting the Blessings One of the benefits of having a child with special needs is that the couple’s other four children are more accepting of children with exceptional needs. “A lot of kids shy away from anyone who's a little different,” Carlton noted. “My children just see them as typical kids, so they go right up and invite them to join in.” The Carltons also have connected with people they never would have known if not for autism: “I see no shame in acknowledging autism,” Carlton stated. “It's all around us.” People come up in the commissary with questions about autism. “It gives me a wonderful opportunity to advocate to others.” Sentimental Moments Mary Carlton paused to reflect a moment. “Some people view autism as a sort of ‘death sentence,’ but it’s not that way at all,” she continued. “Sure, you want to change things, but Sawyer is more than this label. He's a sweet little boy in his own way. He always has been. If anything, this has made us love him even more.” How? She described one instance when she helped him prepare for a school event. He was in a character costume and was required to jump over a figure of a moon: “He kept jumping over that moon, practicing over and over, so I scrambled for a camera and started to record.” The scene was so cute that she couldn’t help but gush: “Oh Sawyer, I love you so much.” Just like that, Sawyer responded that he loved her, too. “He says it so rarely – and I captured it on tape! It’s priceless,” she enthused, with a catch in her voice. “It made me so happy — it still does. I can’t help but cry.” My other children say that all the time, and I adore them, too, she said. “It’s just that it’s so rare with him that it still chokes me up. Moments like that are priceless.” Things are in a good place for the Carltons right now. They’re doing well. “Every time my parents come they're amazed. They say each time that he's like a whole new kid.” Carlton said she’s optimistic about her son’s future: “I truly do see him having a future in sports, I have no doubt.” She also sees him in college someday. “I hope he finds something he's passionate about. And I hope he finds someone and gets married, has kids, the whole nine yards. We'll see. It depends on if he keeps growing and expanding his horizons,” she shared. One thing is certain: Sawyer’s entire Family will cheer him on.