contents - Gallatin School of Individualized Study - New York ...

cynthia sotoiMiguel,I Want to Thank Youused to be very caught up with labels—Calvin Klein, Coach, Guess, etc. I thoughtlabels made you the person you are. Boy, was I wrong. I was 25 years old and newto motherhood, when I quickly learned that labels are not so pleasant.This time the labels were different and much more important: ASD(autism spectrum disorder) and PDD-NOS (pervasive development disorder—not otherwise specified). These words buzzed around my son. I didn’t understand.I did not use drugs when I was pregnant. Why would this happen to my baby boy?Even after several doctor visits, therapists and re-evaluations, I still didn’tunderstand why they labeled my son autistic.After days of crying and stressing out, I woke up and decided that I wasn’tgoing to be a mother who didn’t do anything. Miguel is now in a program calledEarly Intervention. This program helps my son talk and play. He receives speechtherapy, occupational therapy and special instructions.Miguel has been through a lot in three years. Kids treat him differently anddon’t want to play with him because he is a little different. But Miguel still wakesup with a smile on his face. He loves to play with everyone all the time.Miguel has taught me that labels don’t define you. They explain the giftyou have and that you may need special help. The world will always label my son,but to me he is just Miguel, the little man who taught his mother a new way of living.And for that I thank you, Miguel.Persevering141cynthia sotoCynthia Soto, age 26, was born and raised in New York. A student at thePhipps Community Development Corporation, she says that her teacher, GaleShangold, has inspired her to become a better writer. Cynthia Soto plans on“continuing my education by getting my GED. and one day becoming a specialeducation teaching assistant.”