About our family

Our Family Biography:
My wife and I are the parents of six children diagnosed with the Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

• Robert (Bobby), boy, 14, - High functioning Autism
• Emma girl, 10 - Aspergers
• Nephi (Nee-fi), boy, 9, - Aspergers
• Sarah girl, 6, - Classic Autism
• Ammon  boy, 4, - Classic Autism
• Mary girl, 3, - PDD-NOS

When we married we wanted a larger than average family.  When each baby came we felt there was still one more little child waiting in Heaven to be a part of our family.  After Mary that feeling was gone and we felt complete as a family.  We didn't know something was going on until after the last baby, Mary, was almost a year old.  Also, we did not have an official diagnosis for all the children until  November of 2006.

In February 2007 we watched an episode of “Extreme Makeover Home Edition”, we enjoy it as a family to see if the family's story is as tough as our own.  The show said that the family, they helped build a new home for, had the most documented Autistic children (5) for one family in the United States.  My wife and I looked at each other, we have SIX documented Autistic children.  It looks like WE have the most in the country, who knows maybe the world isn't THAT special?!

The 3 youngest are still in diapers and the 4 and 6 year old are completely non-verbal, they are also our biters (chomp!).  We have to put them in backward one piece outfits to keep them from stripping and smearing their poop everywhere.  Our 4 year old climbs on, breaks and rips EVERYTHING.  His nickname we've given him is “Ammon the Destroyer” (like Conan the Destroyer).

Each day is a challenge, something happens EVERY day.  It was recommended that my wife be evaluated.  She found out she is borderline clinical depression and has generalized anxiety disorder (we weren't too surprised about that one).  We also believe she has fibromyalgia as she has those symptoms too.  She is taking Zoloft to help her through each day. 

We're trying hard to be the best parents our children need.  Unfortunately our lack of space (1100 sq. ft. 3 bed, 1 bath, no basement) at home and our finances make it a bit difficult.  Our 3, 4 and 6 year olds go to a preschool for Autistic children.  The 9 and 10 year olds have an IEP in place for them at their elementary school.  The 14 year olds situation is similar at his Jr. High school.

We feel we should be doing more but we're just not sure of what and where to get more help and how to do it all.  We recently started to receive SSI for the three youngest.  I as the father wish for a situation where I can stay home to help my wife cope, but I have to work of course.  I've come up with  ideas for this website that will be a place where we hope to help other parents of Autistic children and hopefully earn a small income.  The progress is slow.  But by the grace of God we are hanging in there and hope that our example can help other Autistic parents.

—John and Robin Kirton