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, 15, - High functioning Autism
• Emma girl, 11, - Aspergers
• Nephi (Nee-fi), boy, 10, - Aspergers
• Sarah girl, 7, - Classic Autism
• Ammon  boy, 5, - Classic Autism
• Mary girl, 4, - 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. Maybe a bit morbid... but true.   The show said that the family, they helped build a new home for, had the most documented Autistic children, five, 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 5 and 7 year old are mostly non-verbal. We had to put them in backward one piece outfits, when they were younger, to keep them from stripping and smearing their poop everywhere.  Our 5 year old used to climb on, break and rip EVERYTHING. His nickname we've given him is “Ammon the Destroyer” (like Conan the Destroyer). Now it looks like Sarah has assumed that role.

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).  She also has Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.  She is taking Prozac 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 4, 5 and 7 year olds go to a school for Autistic children.  The 10 and 11 year olds have an IEP in place for them at their elementary school.  The 15 year olds situation is similar at his High school.

We have tried many different methods to decrease their Autism and have found specific eating solutions to be the best.   We came up with the ideas for this website that is a place where we hope to help other parents of Autistic children. 

—John and Robin Kirton