ONE ON ONE: SC parent speaks about experience with autism, helping other parents

COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO) — Earlier this week, we reported on a story about a program called ‘Autism Parent Navigators’.

The program pairs families who have experienced autism with families who have newly received a diagnosis.

“One of the greatest lessons I’ve learned as a parent of a child with autism is that I had to step outside of my world and into his world so I would have a better understanding,” said Anja Wilson, part of the Autism Parent Navigators program.

Anja Wilson’s son Cortland was first diagnosed with autism at age 3.

“When Cortland was first diagnosed he was nonverbal. That was the hardest part,” Wilson said. “A lot of the behaviors that he would exhibit like meltdowns and tantrums were his way of communicating.”

With years of experiencing autism, Wilson is now able to help other parents whose children have recently been diagnosed through a program called ‘Autism Parent Navigators.’

“With our program, we provide different tools, skills and activities to help our families communicate effectively with one another, professionals and their children even,” Wilson said. “They’re learning how to recognize certain things as far as behaviors are concerned.”

Cortland taught himself to play piano by ear, enjoys art and is learning above grade level.

His mother says while helping other parents with their children, she has learned new skills to understand her own son.

“Learning how to communicate with him better. Understanding his behaviors and what’s triggering them as well as what consequences to apply so that we don’t see the repetitive behaviors,” Wilson said. “I’m not saying the behaviors go away because they don’t. I’m able to navigate it a little better.”