Asperger's diagnosis changes a boy's life -Waterbury (CT) Republican American

BY BRIGITTE RUTHMAN
December 24, 2007

TORRINGTON — At 17, Taylor Rosado can repair a computer. He is a high honors student and a voracious reader with a much higher than average intelligence.

He is hypersensitive to touch, smell and sound. The feel of a manufacturer's tag in the back of his shirt, or the seam in the bottom of his sock leave him unable to focus on a task. Fire alarms sound piercing. He has to work at understanding whether someone else's tears are prompted by joy or sorrow.

Taylor's behavioral symptoms are caused by a neurological disorder known as Asperger's syndrome, a form of autism.

Once so prone to causing himself harm that his mother locked herself inside his Torrington bedroom to watch over him, he suffered through life as a socially awkward autistic child without an adequate diagnosis. As a student in public schools, he was subjected to teasing and suffered from depression. Withdrawn from the world, he feared social contact.

His life didn't change until he hit rock bottom — a failed attempt three years ago to slit his throat that landed him in Charlotte Hungerford's Hospital's emergency room for two weeks.

"He had been misdiagnosed as being bipolar and schizophrenic," his mother said. "I don't know how he survived sixth grade. It becomes an isolated world when your son is banging his head against the wall and doesn't know to stop for a truck when he is crossing the road."

A more careful review of his symptoms resulted in the diagnosis of Asperger's, which is characterized by unusual social interaction and communication skills. As with many sufferers, he has above normal intelligence, but has trouble making friends, and lacks the intuitive ability to gauge social situations. He can seem bizarre and brilliant.

His diagnosis marked the beginning of intensive rehabilitation and dramatic changes.

In May of 2004, Rosado enrolled in the Brookside Campus of the Hillcrest Educational Centers in Great Barrington, Mass., a residential facility for youths who can't function in their homes. His tuition was paid by Torrington Public Schools.

As part of his therapy, he took part in the National Youth Project using minibikes, a program sponsored by the Honda Corp. which offers children the opportunity to ride minibikes if they maintain academic and counseling standards.

He graduated from the school in June and is taking specialized high school classes at the Institute of Living's Grace Webb School in Bloomfield. His tuition is also being paid by the Torrington school system.He also attends an after-school program at the Focus Alternative Learning Center in Canton under a program paid through health insurance. He serves as a mentor for younger participants at both locations.

As it is for many youths, the minibike was the ticket, his mother Stacey Ahlman said. It wasn't until he had completed lengthy safety lessons that Taylor was able to ride, and then became a leader for others.

Founded in 1969 as an innovative means of motivating autistic children between the ages of 10 and 17, NYPUM is a behavior modification program which aims to instill self esteem, values, and a sense of responsibility.

Founded in 1969 as an innovative means of motivating autistic children between the ages of 10 and 17, NYPUM is a behavior modification program which aims to instill self esteem, values, and a sense of responsibility.

Operated on a local level by 47 programs in urban, suburban and rural communities across the country, the programs are run by nonprofit or municipal youth agencies and have supported 250,000 children in its 38-year history. Honda has contributed $40 million to NYPUM.

In Great Barrington, Rosado participated in supervised rides three times a week on private property after successfully completing 21 classes in three months. He also completed extensive safety training on how to ride the bike.

"We were given diagnoses that didn't fit," Taylor's mother, Stacey Ahlman said of her son's early struggles. "His behavior was characterized by excessive head banging, dangerous and fearless attempts at all things unsafe, and a delay in speech and social development and an ongoing struggle with self-esteem. He never asked for toys. But he isolated himself with books on topics that piqued his interest."

In October, the boy who once avoided making eye contact with anyone addressed a crowd of more than 100 who gathered at the annual NYPUM convention in Los Angeles.

"He was the kid who wouldn't participate in a basketball game in school and now he is proud enough of himself to help others learn to ride," he mother said.

Taylor has learned to communicate. He spends some of his free time working at an animal shelter, and expects to get his high school diploma from Torrington High School in June. Some day, he will live independently of his mother.

"I'm going to get a job," he said. "I don't want my mom to have to do all the work."

"Maybe I will be a chef," he said. "Or join the Navy."