Graduating autistic student supported by CICS classmates

A young man who has been battling autism for most of his life will be graduating on Wednesday, June 23, with the rest of the Class of 2012 at the Campobello Island Consolidated School.
Aaron Sawtelle, 17, will even be singing "O Canada" during the ceremony, says his proud mother, Sandra. "This is the same group of kids that he's been with since before kindergarten. He had a teacher's aide each year and was never kept back."
Aaron was developing normally until age two, but Sandra and his father Kevin started noticing problems after he received his vaccinations. The little boy became ill, had a seizure and then started regressing. "He stopped making eye contact, and he stopped talking," recalls his mother. "We thought it might be lead poisoning because we live in an older house, but when he was tested, that wasn't the problem. So we took him to a hearing specialist, who then referred him to a speech pathologist. When we finally got in to see that doctor, he said, 'You need to see a neurologist'."
Aaron was examined by Dr. David Meek at the Saint John Regional Hospital, who shocked the unsuspecting Sawtelles with the diagnosis of autism. "They call it 'a pervasive development disorder' but that means autism," says Sandra. "We didn't have a clue. Dr. Meek said, 'Don't expect too much.' He didn't think Aaron would ever read or write."
"They did a big work-up at Saint John Regional. There was lots of testing, and it confirmed the diagnosis," she recalls. "Aaron had just turned three."
The Sawtelles decided they were not giving up on their son, and he was taken for one hour of speech therapy, "without fail," every week in St. Stephen. Aaron was also a frequent visitor to the Stan Cassidy Centre in Fredericton, which does a great amount of rehabilitation.
Staff from the centre drove to Campobello, where they educated the school faculty about Aaron. His classmates were taught about autism and told how they could help him. "They've been wonderful," sums up Sandra. "And all the children in his class have been great with him. They've been patient and helpful with Aaron."
Aaron's closest friend is Chelsea Stanley, who has known him her entire life. "Our moms are best friends, and I went through pre-school and school with him. We've done school projects together," says Chelsea. "He's really into computers, and he likes to watch YouTube videos and movies. He can remember every word of a movie."
"But it's not easy for him to connect with people," she points out. "I think it's a great achievement that's he's going to be graduating."
Aaron's "pervasive development disorder" has been a struggle for him and his family. There have been some hiccups along the way as well as frustration, but his mother is happy to report that "he has no trouble talking and communicating."
"We're very proud of him."