08-15-2006, 10:27 AM
King Richard, in many ways, is like any active teenager.
The bright-eyed 15-year-old sings in the church choir, watches his favorite TV shows, swims, listens to music and, of course, argues with his mom and dad.
But King is not your average teen, and for his parents, Ann and Dave Richard of Pensacola, his everyday achievements are nothing short of miraculous.
King was diagnosed with autism at age 3 — news that devastated his parents.
"For years, I couldn't deal with my son being autistic. I didn't know how to handle his disruptive behavior. I kept him isolated because I was afraid for him and worried what people would think," said Ann Richard, who wrote a 2001 book about her family's struggle with autism, "And When He Didn't Come Home."
But King would prove that he was more than a dire diagnosis -- surprising everyone, especially his mother, with his growing communication skills and varied interests, such as singing in his church choir and now, modeling.
"We discovered that he loves having his photo taken. It's amazing how professional he can be in front of a camera," said Richard of her son, who has appeared in several national and regional magazines. "When he sees himself in a magazine, he says, 'That's King's book.' In a lot of ways, he's become a poster child for autism."
King, who was the cover model for the July/August 2005 issue of Autism-Asperger's digest, is featured again in this month's issue, in an article written by his mother. He was chosen as one of the six "Faces of Autism" at a 2006 National Autism Society of America Conference in Rhode Island and is also featured in the August issue of Guideposts Magazine.
"He's a neat kid," said Pam Weiseman, an autism consultant at the Pensacola Center for Autism & Related Disabilities, who has worked with King for several years.
"Every child with autism is unique, and King is a good example of how these children can develop their own 'hidden talent.' Autism doesn't have to be a life sentence, and with early intervention and education, children such as King can lead a pretty normal life."
Accepting her son's autism -- and respecting him as an individual with his own desires -- has allowed Richard, now an autism advocate and speaker, to finally "let King be King."
"He is an inspiration and a blessing to everyone," said the proud mom. "King was supposed to be the least likely to achieve anything, but he's taught us that we were the ones walking around with limitations."
To see King Richard's photo -
http://www.pensacolanewsjournal.com/apps...50304/1004
The bright-eyed 15-year-old sings in the church choir, watches his favorite TV shows, swims, listens to music and, of course, argues with his mom and dad.
But King is not your average teen, and for his parents, Ann and Dave Richard of Pensacola, his everyday achievements are nothing short of miraculous.
King was diagnosed with autism at age 3 — news that devastated his parents.
"For years, I couldn't deal with my son being autistic. I didn't know how to handle his disruptive behavior. I kept him isolated because I was afraid for him and worried what people would think," said Ann Richard, who wrote a 2001 book about her family's struggle with autism, "And When He Didn't Come Home."
But King would prove that he was more than a dire diagnosis -- surprising everyone, especially his mother, with his growing communication skills and varied interests, such as singing in his church choir and now, modeling.
"We discovered that he loves having his photo taken. It's amazing how professional he can be in front of a camera," said Richard of her son, who has appeared in several national and regional magazines. "When he sees himself in a magazine, he says, 'That's King's book.' In a lot of ways, he's become a poster child for autism."
King, who was the cover model for the July/August 2005 issue of Autism-Asperger's digest, is featured again in this month's issue, in an article written by his mother. He was chosen as one of the six "Faces of Autism" at a 2006 National Autism Society of America Conference in Rhode Island and is also featured in the August issue of Guideposts Magazine.
"He's a neat kid," said Pam Weiseman, an autism consultant at the Pensacola Center for Autism & Related Disabilities, who has worked with King for several years.
"Every child with autism is unique, and King is a good example of how these children can develop their own 'hidden talent.' Autism doesn't have to be a life sentence, and with early intervention and education, children such as King can lead a pretty normal life."
Accepting her son's autism -- and respecting him as an individual with his own desires -- has allowed Richard, now an autism advocate and speaker, to finally "let King be King."
"He is an inspiration and a blessing to everyone," said the proud mom. "King was supposed to be the least likely to achieve anything, but he's taught us that we were the ones walking around with limitations."
To see King Richard's photo -
http://www.pensacolanewsjournal.com/apps...50304/1004