My Family: God Blessed Our Family with Robbie Essay -- Personal Narrat

Robbie is my eight-year-old brother. He is autistic. Autism is a developmental disability that interferes with the normal development of the brain in the areas of reasoning, social interaction, and communication skills. Because of autism, Robbie has severe delays in verbal and non-verbal communication, social interactions, and even in play activities. Robbie does not do what is normal for a child of eight and he acts much younger. Things that most children do automatically have to be taught to Robbie. Robbie goes to school every day. He is in a special education program that has helped him greatly. The TEACCH (Treatment and Education of Autistic and related Communication Handicapped Children) technique is used. It is a highly structured program with a great emphasis on functional and communication skills. Despite Robbie' inability to speak, he has learned how to communicate his needs and wants to others by using a Ma... ... Tank and "Friends" series and several of the Disney videos. He loves playing with "Tickle Me Elmo" and doing puzzles. But most of all Robbie enjoys eating. Pasta and noodle soup are his favorites. He is able to get the ingredients together by himself so all Mom has to do is turn on the stove and watch it cook. Robbie is autistic but he is also a very smart, funny, and loving person. He is so special and I am so happy to have such a special brother like Robbie.