The first thing you’ll notice about Preston is his bright smile and the love he shows to the people around him. But behind that smile is a story of a mother’s strength, filled with ups and downs, courage, and hope. It’s a journey of turning fear into love—and finding strength in the unexpected.
Like many parents, Preston’s mother began noticing Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) signs in Preston early on—around the time he turned one.
“I found out about my child’s diagnosis when he was 4 years old. However, I did have my suspicions of my child being on the spectrum as early as one year old.”
It wasn’t until he was four years old that they received a formal diagnosis of ASD. That moment brought with it a wave of emotions.
“Initially when my child was diagnosed, I was incredibly saddened and fearful. There was also a deep sense of guilt. However, I have learned that all those emotions are part of the grieving process—and they are completely valid.”
It wasn’t the end of their hopes—it was the start of a new journey, filled with learning, support, and small steps forward.
Living in Guam, Preston’s mom found the resources for ASD support limited. Determined to find the right help, she began searching online and came across Autism Partnership (AP) Manila.
“Autism Partnership was the first provider that caught my eye from what I read on their website. Prior to enrolling, my knowledge of ABA was limited—but I knew it was one of the most clinically proven methods of intervention.”
From the first email to starting his intervention, through clinic meetings, parent training, and ongoing support – everything fell into place.
“They were able to give us an in-depth analysis of Preston in just one session. It gave us confidence that we were making the right decision.”
Since starting intensive ABA therapy at AP, Preston has made remarkable progress.
“No words can express how much growth our son has made. Hearing him say ‘Mommy’ and ‘Daddy’ for the first time—it was a big achievement for us as a family.”
From a mostly non-verbal child who relied on hand-leading, Preston is now able to speak, engage, and express himself.
“After exactly one month of therapy, he began saying words like ‘mommy’ and ‘papa.’ He can now sit still, focus on tasks, and respond to people with greetings and simple answers.”
What used to feel scary has now turned into a daily celebration—every little win, every new word, every smile means the world to Preston’s mom.
Some parents worry about their role in therapy. But for Preston’s mom, being included was something she welcomed.
“I was excited to be involved and eager to learn. I love how the team breaks down each program and ensures we understand every detail.”
Through clinic meetings and ongoing support, she became more than a parent—she became an advocate and a teacher in her son’s learning journey.
“I’ve learned how important it is to be proactive, to read my son’s cues, and use reinforcements that encourage him to communicate.”
For any parent facing a new diagnosis or feeling overwhelmed, Preston’s mom has a message from the heart:
“It’s okay to feel overwhelmed—it doesn’t mean you’ve failed. It means you care deeply.”
“Although ASD is life changing, it’s not insurmountable. Be brave and be proud, because our children deserve nothing less.”
And what does she wish more people knew about being a parent of a child with autism?
“Autism is not a disease. It’s a neurodevelopmental condition. Our children process the world differently—and every child is unique.”
“There’s a reason Preston came into my life. This journey has been empowering, and it continues to teach me compassion, patience, and strength.”
For families navigating similar paths, stories like this remind us: there is hope, there is progress, and above all, there is love.
A sharing from the mother of Preston, a former student of Autism Partnership Manila.
In the DSM-V, the diagnostic criteria for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) describes four behavior symptoms. One of those symptoms is “Stereotyped or repetitive motor movements, use of objects, or speech (e.g., simple motor stereotypies, lining up toys or flipping objects, echolalia, idiosyncratic phrases).” Even though demonstrating these repetitive behaviors is not a requirement for diagnosis, […]
It’s natural for parents to compare their child to others, including among those raising a child with ASD. Many parents ask why their child isn’t making the same progress as other children, despite following the same intervention program. While we fully understand these concerns, we strongly recommend that parents avoid comparisons. Each child with autism […]
Parents seeking treatment for their children’s Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are faced with an overwhelming number of treatment options. Cutting through the noise to identify Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) as the most effective treatment can be a difficult task. Unfortunately, even for the parents who have discovered that ABA has the most supporting research, the […]
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