Mom Celebrates Successes Despite Autism

One Green Country mother says it's true, autism can sometimes be treated and her son is proof.  News On 6 anchor Jennifer Loren followed up with Julius Allensworth and his family.  The News On 6 first introduced you to them in 2006.  Today Julius is five years old and showing improvements every day.

Five-year-old Julius Allensworth likes to play video games.  Watching him play, you'd never know he's autistic.

"A lot of people tell me they can't tell now that he has autism and I'm like thank you, thank you. That's what we've been working for. That's the goal," said Darlene Allensworth.

Julius' mother, Darlene, says a lot of caring people have had an influence on who Julius is now:  a boy who understands things his parents were never sure he would.  And, a boy who can communicate clearly.

Since 2006, Julius has been going to therapy five times a week, has a new gluten-free diet and is enrolled in school.

"His treatment is working. The diet has made great improvements. All his therapy, it's a whole team of people who work with Julius," said his mother, Darlene Allensworth.

He still shows signs of the disorder according to mom, like his absolute obsession with Spiderman and occasional outbursts.

But, to people who don't know Julius, or about autism, those signs may seem pretty normal for a five year old.  And, that's perfectly fine with Darlene.

She's spending this World Autism Day raising awareness that autism is on the rise.

"Just in our school there are so many more children with autism.  The meetings that I go to are getting bigger and bigger," said Darlene Allensworth.

But most of all, she says the day is about being aware that, through trial and error, many autistic children can surpass expectations.

"I truly believe kids with autism are treatable and can go a long way," said Darlene Allensworth.

Darlene says different treatments work well for some kids and not for others.

She says a lot of resources have helped her along the way, including the Autism support group.  Their phone number is 582-8272.

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