The rates at autism diagnoses in the United States have rizen dramatically in the last 10 years. With the help of JournalNews reporter Linda Ebbing, I followed three children from Filmore Elementary over the course of a week. Through visiting with them at school and at home, I hoped to show what educators and parents do to help childrem with autism grow and develop, and show what early intervention and inclusion programs and do to improve the welfare of these three children. Please remember to view the multimedia slideshows below to hear straight from the parents and see more pictures.

The front page and center spread layout of the Hamilton JournalNews story printed in conjuction with a three-chapter online audio slideshow component.
Chapter One - Noelle Bates
Chapter Two - Gabriel Cochran
Chapter Three - Timmy Fannin

Filmore Elementary School 2nd-grader Gabriel Cochran hugs a classmate before school. Gabriel, son of Janie Cochran, has autism, but with extensive intervention has overcome many of the telltale signs of the disorder like discomfort with physical contact.

Timmy Fannin, son of Sandy Fannin, loves NASCAR, enjoys reading, works well on a computer, and has autism. Children with autism have intense focus on the things they enjoy, but it most strongly affects social skills. Intervention from an early age has allowed Timmy to make eye contact, many children on the autism spectrum have trouble with this.

Noelle Bates, daughter of Danielle Bates, sits in a reading group with her second grade class. The class has one other child with autism in it. Both students spend most of their day in the mainstream classroom as part of the school's inclusion program.

Timmy Fannin plays with a classmate during recess. Early detection of autism can allow some children to regain many of their social skills.

Noelle Bates attends speech therapy several times a week, like many classroom activities, the lessons include games and interaction with other people. One-on-one reading comprehension helps teach concentration and logical thinking.

Gabriel Cochran sits with his aid, Scott Christian, during a reading lesson. Aids are assigned to each student with autism, but rotate between the students so the children learn to interact with different people.

Gabriel Cochran works on his math homework with his mother, Janie Cochran. Gabriel can remember and repeat the exact wording of television shows and movies, but still has some trouble calculating math in his head.

Noelle Bates watches her hand and plays while out to dinner with her family. Rapid hand movements, arm flapping, and rocking are called "stemming." People with autism can learn to control stemming, but Noelle said, "it makes me less nervous."

Noelle Bates laughs with her family at dinner. Noelle's mother Daniel, Timmy's mother Sandy, and Gabriel's mother Janie all said their children have taught them to be more understanding to other children and parents while in public. Tey all said if a child is acting up in a store that they no longer immediately think that the child is just being bad. They said their children's behavior has taught them that a child's behavior isn't always their fault or the fault of their parents.