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Kim Lamb • LVN photo Nicholas Crow plays with his Pokemon game. Nicholas suffers from a less severe form of autism than his older brother Anthony.
Ten-year-old Anthony Crow wakes up shouting, fighting and sometimes throwing things on a daily basis.
It's not an uncommon occurrence for Ken and Gail Crow as Anthony is one of their two adopted sons who has autism.
Anthony, 10, and Nicholas, 9, are the couple's grandchildren. They officially adopted them in 2004.
The children each have a form of autism; however, each one has a different level of severity.
Gail said it is not uncommon for Anthony to go into a rage several times a day.
"It starts from the time he gets up to the time he goes to bed," she said. "You have to have a lot of patience."
She said she steps back and waits for her oldest grandson to regain his composure, adding it is all she can do.
Her 10-year-old grandson will go into a rage about 10 times a day, and the spells can last anywhere from 10 to 40 minutes.
The key is not to approach him because if you get too close, chances are he will start hitting.
"When he wants to calm down, he will say he wants his mom to calm him down," she said.
It's not an uncommon occurrence for Ken and Gail Crow as Anthony is one of their two adopted sons who has autism.
Anthony, 10, and Nicholas, 9, are the couple's grandchildren. They officially adopted them in 2004.
The children each have a form of autism; however, each one has a different level of severity.
Gail said it is not uncommon for Anthony to go into a rage several times a day.
"It starts from the time he gets up to the time he goes to bed," she said. "You have to have a lot of patience."
She said she steps back and waits for her oldest grandson to regain his composure, adding it is all she can do.
Her 10-year-old grandson will go into a rage about 10 times a day, and the spells can last anywhere from 10 to 40 minutes.
The key is not to approach him because if you get too close, chances are he will start hitting.
"When he wants to calm down, he will say he wants his mom to calm him down," she said.
Anthony and Nicholas are part of a growing number of people with autism. Autism often refers to an entire spectrum of neurological disorders with traits, ranging from mild to severe. According to the American Society of Autism, the affects 1 to 1.5 million Americans and is the country's fastest-growing disorder.
Anthony was diagnosed with autism when he was 4 years old, and Nicholas was diagnosed with a less severe type two years ago.
Anthony, when in school, needs an applied-behavior analyst to assist learning and is at a pre-school level.
Gail said she has to work hard to make sure the foods he feeds him are ones he can safely eat. He is allergic to 40 different foods, including fruits, spices, wheat bread, soy and corn.
"Food is a big deal. I have to look at all those allergies," he said. "No matter what I put on the table, someone does not like it."
Her oldest grandson often has trouble sleeping from midnight to 4 a.m., and she has to be with him during this time because he does not want to be alone.
Some of her must difficult struggles center on trying to convince Anthony to get on the bus to go to Numa Elementary School.
"To get him on a bus is a big deal," she said, adding there are times Anthony will start hitting and scratching the bus driver.
Anthony, who cannot read, loves television, but it often is all he wants to do.
"It is a fight to get him to do anything," she said.
Anthony was diagnosed with autism when he was 4 years old, and Nicholas was diagnosed with a less severe type two years ago.
Anthony, when in school, needs an applied-behavior analyst to assist learning and is at a pre-school level.
Gail said she has to work hard to make sure the foods he feeds him are ones he can safely eat. He is allergic to 40 different foods, including fruits, spices, wheat bread, soy and corn.
"Food is a big deal. I have to look at all those allergies," he said. "No matter what I put on the table, someone does not like it."
Her oldest grandson often has trouble sleeping from midnight to 4 a.m., and she has to be with him during this time because he does not want to be alone.
Some of her must difficult struggles center on trying to convince Anthony to get on the bus to go to Numa Elementary School.
"To get him on a bus is a big deal," she said, adding there are times Anthony will start hitting and scratching the bus driver.
Anthony, who cannot read, loves television, but it often is all he wants to do.
"It is a fight to get him to do anything," she said.
When Gail takes her grandsons to Reno to see their doctors, Anthony starts screaming when he sees the office building.
She added Anthony has speech problems, but has no problem saying "those four-letter words."
Her oldest grandson needs help when brushing his teeth, but he has learned how to use the microwave oven under supervision. One of Anthony's obsession is food, and he often gets sick because he cannot tell when he gets full.
"He is a 24-7 person. If he cannot find something, it is the end of the world," Gail said.
Gail added her grandson can learn, and as an example, pointed to all of the hand tools he knows by name.
Gail also said she cannot go places with the children because they do not like change or social interaction.
For example, if a a teacher is going to be absent on any given day, the instructor will need to let Anthony know there will be a substitute teacher.
"He has to be told or he will go bananas," she said.
Anthony, often when mad, will go get his pet, a rabbit named Morgan.
"He has had the bunny for three years. It has saved him many times," she said.
She added Anthony has speech problems, but has no problem saying "those four-letter words."
Her oldest grandson needs help when brushing his teeth, but he has learned how to use the microwave oven under supervision. One of Anthony's obsession is food, and he often gets sick because he cannot tell when he gets full.
"He is a 24-7 person. If he cannot find something, it is the end of the world," Gail said.
Gail added her grandson can learn, and as an example, pointed to all of the hand tools he knows by name.
Gail also said she cannot go places with the children because they do not like change or social interaction.
For example, if a a teacher is going to be absent on any given day, the instructor will need to let Anthony know there will be a substitute teacher.
"He has to be told or he will go bananas," she said.
Anthony, often when mad, will go get his pet, a rabbit named Morgan.
"He has had the bunny for three years. It has saved him many times," she said.
While Anthony's autistic problems are more severe, Nicholas is twice as picky as his older brother.
He has no food allegories, but his grandmother has difficulty in getting him to eat breakfast.
"Nicholas has social issues. He has no friends in the neighborhood. He cries a lot and complains about his stomach a lot."
Gail said doctors have assured her there is nothing wrong with his stomach.
She often wonders how the two came down with autism, and thinks being immunized at an early age could be the reason.
Anthony, she said, appeared to be healthy until being immunized when he was a year old. He did not talk again until turning 5.
Gail said she will never give up hope, and added there are many people who are rude and have no understanding of autism.
She hands out cards to people explaining her child is autistic and has a disorder.
"Please be patient while I teach my child how to function properly in the community," the card reads.
He has no food allegories, but his grandmother has difficulty in getting him to eat breakfast.
"Nicholas has social issues. He has no friends in the neighborhood. He cries a lot and complains about his stomach a lot."
Gail said doctors have assured her there is nothing wrong with his stomach.
She often wonders how the two came down with autism, and thinks being immunized at an early age could be the reason.
Anthony, she said, appeared to be healthy until being immunized when he was a year old. He did not talk again until turning 5.
Gail said she will never give up hope, and added there are many people who are rude and have no understanding of autism.
She hands out cards to people explaining her child is autistic and has a disorder.
"Please be patient while I teach my child how to function properly in the community," the card reads.
