My 16-Year-Old

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Abstract

ed to surround me. The raved-up lights diminished their sparkle and eventually faded into the darkness. A new radiance was starting to flicker. The youthfulness that had embodied me was departing, and a new phase was about to commence, and that is called parenting.When Matthew became a toddler and eventually into a little boy, there were certain milestones that he was not accomplishing like the rest of his peers. I ignored it and went with my assumptions; it was nothing more than a learning delay. I believed that once Matthew started school and got more socialized, he would eventually be on target with the rest of his peers in his age group.This did not happen, and he was diagnosed as autistic. The game changed. Matthew would require more attention from me than the typical parent. I turned down promotions at jobs and put limits on my social life. This

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increased greatly when I became a single parent and started having sole physical custody of Matthew and his brother Aidan.Matthew is much more than autistic. He is much more than a teenager with challenges. Matthew is creative, full of personality, and he is funny. Matthew enjoys outings, social situations, video games, electronics, telling stories, hiking, and all kind of different activities. Matthew is his own person and much more than a diagnosis.The reality is that while Matthew is his unique person, however, due to how autism the fact is that he will need supports for the rest of his life. It doesn’t end at the age of 18, Adulthood is very close for Matthew, and I will be his biggest advocate.This week, I cannot focus on the past or the future. This week I will have a 16-year-old. Happy early birthday Matthew.</article></body>

My 16-Year-Old

For those of us with more than one kid, I do believe as parents; we hold a special place in our hearts for our oldest child. They are the ones that introduce us to parenting. Our lives changed within the moment they were born into this world. I do admit those are some of my feelings about my oldest son, Matthew.

Matthew is about to turn 16 years old. I must say it has been a journey. I feel that happens to all of us as parents. Being a father and raising a child is our adventure. Initially, I was not ready to be a father when Matthew was born. I still had the lingering desire to shine in the late-night party lights that used to surround me. The raved-up lights diminished their sparkle and eventually faded into the darkness. A new radiance was starting to flicker. The youthfulness that had embodied me was departing, and a new phase was about to commence, and that is called parenting.

When Matthew became a toddler and eventually into a little boy, there were certain milestones that he was not accomplishing like the rest of his peers. I ignored it and went with my assumptions; it was nothing more than a learning delay. I believed that once Matthew started school and got more socialized, he would eventually be on target with the rest of his peers in his age group.

This did not happen, and he was diagnosed as autistic. The game changed. Matthew would require more attention from me than the typical parent. I turned down promotions at jobs and put limits on my social life. This increased greatly when I became a single parent and started having sole physical custody of Matthew and his brother Aidan.

Matthew is much more than autistic. He is much more than a teenager with challenges. Matthew is creative, full of personality, and he is funny. Matthew enjoys outings, social situations, video games, electronics, telling stories, hiking, and all kind of different activities. Matthew is his own person and much more than a diagnosis.

The reality is that while Matthew is his unique person, however, due to how autism the fact is that he will need supports for the rest of his life. It doesn’t end at the age of 18, Adulthood is very close for Matthew, and I will be his biggest advocate.

This week, I cannot focus on the past or the future. This week I will have a 16-year-old. Happy early birthday Matthew.