James, a participant in AIM’s Self-Direction program, shared his story on B95.5 for Autism Acceptance Month. Read the full transcript below, or click the audio link at the bottom of this page to listen.
Audio:
(singing)
Speaker 2:
B 95.5, today’s hits and yesterday’s favorites. No matter what comes at you today, shake it off.
Speaker 3:
Just shake it right off.
Speaker 2:
Taylor Swift with advice, and the most music for your workday and the commercial-free hour.
Speaker 3:
That never gets old, that advice, to shake it off.
Speaker 2:
Just shake it off, with a lot of things.
Speaker 3:
True, true, true.
Speaker 2:
It is 8:14, and we have a temp of 40 degrees. Lots of sunshine, going to be a spectacular, beautiful day.
Speaker 3:
Yes, and a beautiful month.
Speaker 2:
Yeah, it’s a beautiful month and a beautiful day. Because on last Friday, we played Beat the Pump, and Carolyn Houston actually was our Beat the Pump winner. Then it started into a conversation, because Carolyn Houston was talking to us about a lot of things.
Speaker 3:
Yeah, she’s an author, so we just got talking, and then she emailed us about Autism Awareness month, and it was Autism Awareness day.
Speaker 2:
She won Beat the Pump on.
Speaker 3:
I know. It’s great to learn about our listeners, and she is just spectacular. I’m like, “Whoa, look at you.”
Speaker 2:
Yeah.
Speaker 3:
So, Carolyn welcome.
Carolyn Houston:
Hi.
Speaker 3:
Hi. Back at it again. We talked last week, winning and now winning at life. You and your son, this is really incredible. How many books have you written?
Carolyn Houston:
I have 12 picture books written about children with autism.
Speaker 3:
Amazing. Right, because you’re something that you are going through yourself. Yes?
Carolyn Houston:
Yes, yes. James was diagnosed at 26 months and is now 12.
Speaker 3:
Okay. All right.
Speaker 2:
Got it.
Speaker 3:
And, he is an author himself, is he not?
Carolyn Houston:
Yes. He helped co-author the last book, I Am James, which came out in March of 2020.
Speaker 3:
Amazing.
Speaker 2:
Awesome.
Speaker 3:
That is just incredible.
James:
After I got my phone.
Speaker 3:
Yes. Hi James.
New Speaker:
Well, hello, James. It’s good to have you with us. Since it is Autism Awareness month, how about letting us know how your doing.
James:
I always seemed unhappy, but I was not.
Speaker 3:
Mm-hmm (affirmative). Thank you.
Speaker 2:
Yeah, thank you. Carolyn, James would like to read his book to our listeners. Is that correct?
Carolyn Houston:
Yes, he would.
Speaker 2:
Okay, fantastic.
Speaker 3:
Fantastic. Can’t wait to hear it.
Carolyn Houston:
Okay. Ready? Go ahead.
James:
I’m James. I was not always happy when I was younger. I could not tell people what I wanted or needed. I would get very angry and throw things. Then sometimes, my temper tantrums would last for hours. I would pull all the books off the shelves. My mother called my doctor. My mom thought I had autism. My doctor said I was too advanced. My mom knew I needed more help.
James:
I began to work with a speech therapist, a developmental therapist, an occupational therapist, and a physical therapist. After I turned to a special doctor, he said I had autism. We moved forward straight away so I could get more help. In less than two weeks, enrolled at a school for kids with special needs. I still had problems talking. I’ve learned new ways to let people know what I wanted or needed. I started using pictures or some new computer programs. When I was four-and-a-half years old, I started working on unprompted phrases. We always celebrate this accomplishment by thanking those who have helped me.
James:
I like playing in the water. I need an adult nearby when I’m in or near the water. Swim lessons are important for me. Do you like swimming? Yes, Sometimes, when I was little, I needed help with things. My grandpa loved to help me. A few months before I turned five, I started kindergarten, and I was excited to learn and to make new friends. My teachers taught me how to read, write, and do math. My favorite subject is social studies.
James:
I like when my mom comes to school and reads the books about me. It helps my friends get to know me better. At school, I learned that I am a superstar. I also learned that I can be successful at anything I want if I try hard enough.
James:
After school and on the weekends, I like to go hiking and explore outdoors. Sometimes, I go with my family, and other times with friends or Cub Scouts. I like to travel. Sometimes we bring extra adults to help me stay safe. When I travel, I like to track where I go. So far, I have been to 37 states.
James:
I’m interested in learning about the president of the United States. Who is your favorite president?
James:
Abraham Lincoln’s my favorite one. One year, I even dressed up as him for Halloween. Who is your favorite president? What is something you’d like to learn about?
James:
I’m very busy being able to try many activities and learn what I like and what I don’t. I started riding horses when I was two. When I was six years old, I started skating and skiing at Double H Ranch, a ski area that exists for kids with special needs. Each time I go, volunteers teach me to be a better skier. Pretty soon, I hope to be able to ski in a regular ski area.
James:
Now I’m in fifth grade. I go to the courts at school, and participate in dance performances with my classmates. People are amazed at the progress I have made. I’m happy and proud when they say that one problem that many people with Autism is making friends. When I wanted to dress up as Prince Philip for Halloween, a classmate offered to be Aurora. When I am out in communities, I look for my friends everywhere I go. I usually find at least one or two. They make me smile.
Carolyn Houston:
Where is it? Turn the page.
James:
I love spending time with my friends. They make me happy and make me smile. Thank you for reading my book.
Speaker 2:
Aw.
Speaker 3:
James, I am just so amazed by you. Wow, what a wonderful, wonderful thing you have done, and you read that so well. What an inspiration to so many. For someone to read this who has gone through this, it really could help so many kids.
Speaker 2:
Yes.
Speaker 3:
It could help families. I love that it was interactive and that you asked what they like and we’re nodding along thinking, well, I liked that too. I just am so impressed by you, James. You did such a great job.
Speaker 2:
Fantastic.
Speaker 3:
I’m sure your mommy is so proud of you.
James:
Thank you. Thank you.
Speaker 3:
Thank you for reading that to us.
Speaker 2:
Yes, we are so proud to know a lot more about James, but I know that a lot more people in the Capital region know a lot more about Autism, and because of you. You are a platform and you are an inspiration to so many, James. We thank you for your time this morning, buddy.
Speaker 3:
Thank you.
Carolyn Houston:
Say thank you.
James:
Thank you.
Speaker 2:
You got it, James. Carolyn, we thank you so much for how this came about.
Speaker 3:
Yeah. I’m really glad that you reached out. That was pretty incredible. Great job, mom.
Carolyn Houston:
You’re welcome.
Speaker 2:
Well, and I know with James’s challenges, this was a pretty big platform to get on.
Speaker 3:
Yeah, absolutely.
Speaker 2:
To get on the radio in front of 60,000 people, at least sometimes.
Speaker 3:
Big moment.
Speaker 2:
You made a moment for a lot of people this morning, a lot of individuals, and we thank you for that.
Carolyn Houston:
Thanks.
Speaker 3:
Thanks. Don’t be strangers, all right?
Speaker 2:
You got it. Take care, James.
Speaker 3:
Take care, James.
Speaker 2:
We thank you.
Carolyn Houston:
Say bye.
James:
Bye.
Speaker 3:
Bye.
Speaker 2:
Bye, James, and, thank you, Carolyn.
Speaker 3:
Thank you so much.
Speaker 2:
Thanks for being on The Breakfast Club.
Carolyn Houston:
You’re welcome. All right, bye.
Speaker 3:
Bless you guys.