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Autism: Anguish Turned Into An App
posted (March 23, 2018)
Autism is a condition we are hearing more and more about but what really is it? Well, autism is a lifelong developmental condition that affects the way a person relates to their environment and people. It does not make its presence known with a runny nose and high fever. It presents itself in tantrums, hitting, and biting to name a few of the varied manifestations.

The condition is not curable but it is manageable. And it's not all bad. Autistic people often have brilliant minds and excel in many skills from a young age.

But, taking both the good and the bad, it is daily challenge for families to manage a loved one who perceives the world and responds to stress triggers in a totally different way. Today we learnt that a family's journey on the autistic trail can be arduous and frustrating but, it can also be magical and surprising. Sahar Vasquez has Jayden's story:

Sahar Vasquez reporting
Looking at Jayden Simpson you would never know the hurdles he had to cross to get to the positive space he is at now.

At three years old Simpson was non-verbal. His mom initially thought her son had a twisted tongue but after noticing that things were not getting better she had to face a harsh reality.

Tiffany Simpson, Mother
"It took 2 maybe 3 weeks for me to decide that I need to find out what is going on with my child and I went to see Dr. Eck and he confirmed my son is autistic."

After receiving the diagnosis she did some research on Autism but the research only heightened her fear that her son would never be able to speak. Since he could not communicate he would throw intense tantrums that became a frightening pattern for the single mother and son.

Tiffany Simpson, Mother
"I went online on the different forums and It did not look good at all and I think one of my biggest fears was that he would be non-verbal and because he was unable to communicate he had these wild tantrums if he needed something to eat, he needed some attention, and of course he could not say anything and if he could not get his way he would start throwing a tantrum. That became a way of life. It was very difficult taking him anywhere."

Both of them felt as if they were in a trap but Tiffany was determined to find a way out and she did.

One day as her son was trying to speak she had a life-changing revelation.

Tiffany Simpson, Mother
"He was trying to tell me something. It just came out as gibberish and I noticed that he was opening and closing his mouth to form the words but his lips were not moving and that is when the idea came to me to use the camera on my cell phone to record my mouth while saying his name and other words he should be saying at his age and create these videos that he could sit and watch. It took four months but he started to say his name."

Simpson was no trained programmer or game creator but her powerful desire to help her son led her to create a computer game that would change his life.

Tiffany Simpson, Mother
"I took to youtube and it took me four weeks but I was able to create my first game and I would have him sit and play the games on the computer. He was very good with the gadgets. Very good with the computer, had excellent hand-eye coordination. He knew how to use the mouse and how to click but he wasn't speaking. He would use the computer and I would have practice. I stopped keeping track after time but he started to catch on very quickly and I think the games allowed me to make the learning sessions more dynamic. I was able to include other learning styles and afterwards, he started to do great."

After that, the little boy that once communicated through tantrums was now speaking clearly and excelling at life. At nine, Jayden is a successful entrepreneur. His love and passion for animation led him to create his own app called game space and a few other things that make him more accomplished than many adults.

Tiffany Simpson, Mother
"He has an app. The Game Space app, he has an animation guide. That is a tutorial."

Sahar Vasquez
"And that is a tutorial on how to animate?"

Tiffany Simpson, Mother
"Yes, how to animate and with the specific programs. He has his website the Games.Space so you could see all the information on that."

And for his mom her son's many achievements have given her a sense of relief

Tiffany Simpson, Mother
"When he came to me and said you know he was ready to start his business I think for me it was that relief that he would be able to take care of himself on his own, without me."

Tiffany says that even though the diagnosis may feel like the end of the world it is not. It is really just the beginning of a life-changing journey.

Tiffany Simpson, Mother
"It is not the end of the world and I think once they start where they can begin to appreciate the struggle. I know that sounds cliche but it is not a life sentence or a trap it is actually the beginning of developing the right talents happening to some of those gifts that they have but are dormant so that they can overcome those challenges and start to lead their family and children into the direction that is going to allow them to make the best of this life and be able to help others on their journey as well."

And for Jayden, his message to kids and adults just like him is to have trust in hope.

Sahar Vasquez
"What do you have to say to those kids that don't really have any hope and are giving up because of their autism?"

Jayden Simpson, Game SPace Creator
"I will show them how to play the games and then I will tell them it is not going to be that hard. It is going to be easy. Easy as ever because that is in my hope. Trust of hope because that is what I do."

Simpson is still adding accomplishments to his list. He is now working on his own animated television show. The duo needs help funding the show so if you would like to donate you can go to http://www.thegames.space/. You will also find more information about Jayden on the site.

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