Norwich senior will graduate despite autism disorder

NORWICH - Imagine trying to make friends without understanding another’s facial expressions, gestures or body language. Nor, for that matter, being able to call upon your own.

Imagine not being able to talk until you are seven, or not learning to at all.

These are just a few of the struggles the rapidly growing number of children with autism in this county and worldwide experience on a daily basis. New data released this month in recognition of Autism Awareness Month show 1 in every 150 American 8-year-old children have the disorder. At this rate, the prevalence of autism could reach 4 million Americans in the next decade.

Cameron Comings of Norwich is one of the lucky ones. His language, social skills and independence have developed day-by-day, week-by-week and month-by-month since receiving support services at BOCES at the age of three. Coupled with the 24/7 support from his parents, today, at 18, Cameron is prepared to graduate from Norwich High School in June.

“I'm lucky to have a strong support system to help me express my thoughts and deal with my feelings. My biggest supporters are my parents. Without them I would never be the person who I am today,” he said.

Cameron’s mother, Cindy, tells people she has a Ph.D. in her son. She and her husband, Bill, have dedicated their lives to helping Cameron become a high functioning adult.

“It’s been a long road with a lot of battles along the way to get the schools actively involved and the proper support in place. We had to fight to keep a one-on-one aid for him all the way through school, to facilitate socializing and communication and deal with his anxiety issues. But, we were able to do that,” Cindy said. “Hopefully the road will be easier for others.”

Cameron learned he had the disorder when he was 16. He will share his experiences and the therapies that have helped him cope at an upcoming conference May 4 at Howard Johnson’s Hotel in Norwich. The day-long event is sponsored in part by DCMO BOCES, The Chenango County Family Resource Network, the Developmental Disabilities Planning Council and the New York state Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities.

Organizers hope the region’s educators, counselors, physicians, parents and others will register for the conference in order to learn how better to support children with autism spectrum disorders. According to Family Resource Network Director Pam Larsen, a large number of teachers from Oneonta, DCMO BOCES, Walton, Sherburne, Unadilla Valley, Binghamton and Horseheads have already registered so far.

Larsen says autism has indisputably reached epidemic status in this county.

“Parents need physicians and educators to assist them in identifying the disorder, referring them to appropriate programs and providing intensive treatment and interventions,” she said. “With this type of assistance there is hope that children can show improvement and in some cases even recover. To accomplish this, physicians and educators need to know the signs of autism, the resources that exist in their community, have an understanding of the disorder and knowledge of appropriate interventions that work specifically with children with autism spectrum disorders.”