ALLISON RUPP Star-Tribune staff writer | Posted: Tuesday, April 24, 2007 12:00 am
Hundreds of toy cars of all colors and sizes line the floor of 5-year-old Cameron's play room.
"I crash them, I drive them, they boom up in the air," the boy with bright red hair said as he rammed two Matchbox cars into each other.
"I fix them," he added.
His mother, Judi, and father, Jim, said he didn't always used to play with cars this way. He used to turn the cars over, spin the wheels and just watch.
He would line up the cars in a row, Jim said, and when one got moved out of order he would throw a fit.
"Parents of children with autism have to learn how to play with their child, communicate with them, feed them," said Dr. Diane Edwards, a Casper developmental pediatrician.
Teaching an autistic child how to play with toys appropriately and how to interact with others are some of the most challenging tasks for a parent.
Jim and Judi Moore have been working with Cameron on these intensely since he was diagnosed with the developmental disorder about two years ago.
With the number of autism diagnoses rising, more parents are, like the Moores, trying to help their children progress forward so they can have as normal life as possible.
"The hardest part is worrying about him, whether or not he will go through life OK, go through school without any problems," Judi said.
Children with autism have trouble socializing with others and most of the time prefer to play by themselves.
Through two years of intense therapy and the constant support of his parents, Cameron has learned how to play more appropriately with his toy cars and begun to engage with other children.
"Usually, he would be off in his own corner and we would try to get him involved," Jim Moore said.
"We still have a long way to go, though," his mother said. "The desire is there."
One way they are getting him to interact more is through animals.
Cameron is learning how to care for his new Betta fish he named George and is preparing to get a pet snail, too.
Also, Cameron has been attending therapeutic horseback riding all month at Reach 4 a Star Riding Academy in Casper. His mother said she signed him up for the class to help with his balance, improve his ability to follow directions and give him an opportunity to do something he would not normally get to do.
"Mom, Mom, Mom, can we come and do it again?" Cameron said after his first riding lesson.
When Judi said they would come ride his horse, Ethan, next Tuesday, Cameron said, "Lots of Tuesdays, Mom."
Just like typical 5-year-old boys, Cameron usually has a wrestling session with Dad before he has to start getting ready for bed. On one particular Wednesday evening, Jim swung Cameron around in a blanket and caught Cameron as he jumped from the couch.
Judi glared at them because she knew Cameron should be winding down, but Jim said he just could not help it since he had been at work all day and he missed his son.
Even though Judi and Jim do not like to have strict routines for Cameron so he can learn to adjust to new environments and changes in plans, the Moores have a bedtime routine for Cameron to help him fall asleep.
People with autism sometimes have sleeping problems and Cameron did not start sleeping through the night until a couple of months ago.
First comes the snack, usually a gluten-free cookie, and then Judi, Jim, Cameron and sometimes Cameron's older sister, Kala, 16, all jump into Judi and Jim's bed for story time.
Cameron started reading about two months ago, another example of his progress.
"He just took off," Judi said as she listened to Cameron read. Cameron is allowed only three stories before bedtime; he reads two and Mom or Dad read one. One of his favorites is "Green Eggs and Ham" by Dr. Seuss.
Cameron brushes his teeth with his electric Sponge Bob Square Pants toothbrush without much complaining. He then climbs into bed and under the covers with his two parents kneeling in front of his bed.
Together they recite the "Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep" prayer. Cameron knows every word.
Judi and Jim pray for Cameron's success in life and are thankful for the blessing that is Cameron.
"He has taught me so much about flexibility and differences," Jim said.
His mother added, "He is the most wonderful little boy one could ask for."