He lost most of his language. Paron-Wildes remembers her reaction when told the wait for help through Fraser Services was 11 months. Devin and many other children with autism throw tantrums when events don't fit a pattern. Troy Auth says his son, Mitchell, was typical until 18 months of age. Then, Auth says, he went into a shell, and quit expressing emotion, except anger when anything didn't fit his expectations, like a ride in a car that didn't fit a pattern.
Medical experts say the cause of autism is still a mystery.
If diagnosed early, many children get better with intensive therapy. Paron-Wildes says they went to several doctors who didn't find a reason for Devin's loss of language and his tantrums until one told them to test for autism. With a diagnosis and a label in hand, families can apply for help, but the wait is long - up to a year. Paron-Wildes says neither she nor her husband could afford to quit their job to be at home with Devin. They get physical, speech, occupational and music therapy.