Featured Family: Meet the Sandison Family

BY RON SANDISON

It’s not what we accomplish in life that matters most but the challenges we overcome that strengthen our faith.

My development began normally, but at eighteen months of age, I began to rapidly regress. I lost my ability to communicate with words and stopped making eye contact. About 20% of children with autism experience a period of regression of previously acquired skills. Many others have delayed development of communication and fine motor skills.

As I entered kindergarten, the specialists in the Rochester, Michigan school system labeled me as emotionally impaired. My mom refused this label and informed the professionals, “My son’s disability is not emotional but neurological.” She diligently searched out the top professionals for learning disabilities in the area and paid to have me tested. A neuropsychologist from Henry Ford Hospital confirmed that my disability was indeed neurological—it was autism. When I was diagnosed in 1982 only one in every 10,000 children in the US were diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder; currently it’s one in every 44 children.

The educational specialists informed my parents that I would probably never read beyond a seventh-grade level, attend college, have meaningful relationships, or excel in sports. But my mom was determined that I would succeed in life and did everything she could to help me gain self-confidence. My mom believed that by having me interact with typical children my own age I would learn essential social skills, and by developing my talents—whether in painting, drawing, reading, or writing, I could gain independence and accomplish my dreams.

I not only finished high school but have bachelor’s degrees in theology and psychology and a Master of Divinity with a minor in biblical Greek from Oral Roberts University, with a perfect GPA. I received an athletic scholarship for track and cross-country in my freshmen year of college. I am happily married going on ten years and we have a seven-yearold daughter, Makayla. Along the way, I’ve published three books through a Christian publisher.

None of this would have been possible without my parents’ unconditional love and support and God’s grace. My mom was inspired by Proverbs 22:29, “Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve before kings. He won’t serve before obscure men.”

Before inclusion in the classroom became the norm, many children with autism and other disabilities were poorly educated, leaving them qualified only for low-level jobs like janitor, grocery bagger, stocker, or dishwasher—serving before obscure men. My mom was determined that would not be me. Daniel 6:3 states, “Now Daniel so distinguished himself among the administrators and the satraps by his exceptional qualities that the king planned to set him over his whole kingdom.”

She decided to help me refine my disability into beautiful gifts and talents. Autism is not something you can cure like a disease—I can’t cough on you so you can get a day off work with the autism flu. However, autism can be refined.

Autism unrefined feels like walking barefoot on hot pavement and then stepping on a sharp, jagged piece of glass.

It is a life of failed social interactions because the inability to read non-verbal cues results in attempts at conversation that are unfiltered at best and inappropriate at worst. It is rigid patterns to be followed, out-of-control stimming, relentless head banging, and meltdowns from overwhelming sensory stimulation. In short, it is painful.

Autism refined, on the other hand, is like walking alongside bright blue waves on a warm, sandy beach and discovering a smooth piece of glass refined by the power of the ocean. It is talents in art, science, math, or writing, and special abilities like attention to detail, extraordinary memory capacity, or creativity necessary to develop technology.

In 2 Timothy 2:20 it is stated that, “In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for special purposes and some for common use.” My dad has a piece of refined glass from the ocean, a foot high and six inches in width. He displays it in our house as a proud reminder of what our family has accomplished. With God, we can all find a way to refine our jagged edges.

When I was seven my mom gave me a toy prairie dog for Christmas. It quickly became my unusually special interest. In the 80s most boys played with their GI Joe, He-Man, Star Wars toys, and Atari video games. I carried around a stuffed prairie dog named Prairie Pup. I quickly became an expert on my new unique interest and could tell you every detail about a prairie dog’s life. My special education teacher, Ms. Milne, told my parents, “Ron always carries an animal book in his right hand and Prairie Pup in his left.”

Special interests for children with autism usually are very unique. They might fixate on a vacuum cleaner, for example, or certain types of trains, or parts of a toy rather than the whole toy. My mom harnessed my special interest in prairie dogs and animals to teach me reading and writing skills. As a professional artist she taught me with art—drawing pictures of prairie dogs. In fifth grade, I won the Detroit Edison Poster Drawing contest for Oakland County by creating a poster with Prairie Pup and his furry friends. For the prize, Prairie Pup and I met the captain of the Detroit Pistons, and now Basketball Hall of Famer, Isaiah Thomas.

Beginning in sixth grade, Prairie Pup was officially expelled from the Rochester public school system because the special education department felt I was too old to be carrying a love worn stuffed animal in desperate need of Rogaine. Thank God my special interest was not a honey badger. Imagine trying to expel an angry agitated wild beast!

As a young child, I had difficulty managing my emotions. When I became frustrated or angry, I would scream and bang my head full force repeatedly against my bedroom wall. I also struggled with regulating my sense of fear and anxiety. At age five, I went with my family for the first time to the movie theater. During one of the movie previews, a hand began to expand. After the hand covered the whole screen, it suddenly exploded. The unexpected sound of the explosion caused me to have a meltdown. I screamed and ran from the theater. My mom had to take me home immediately. Even forty-two years later, I can still picture that exploding terrorist glove.

Sensory issues caused me to be viewed as different by parents and children. My most embarrassing honey badger meltdown occurred when I was in third grade at a Cub Scout Halloween event. Over 200 people were in attendance. My mom decided to have me sit front and center with the other Cub Scouts for the main event: a clown complete with red nose, white makeup, red fluffy side-hair, and a lamb sock puppet.

The poor clown knew nothing about autism and thought it would be comical to take my baseball cap, place it on another kid’s head, and then place it back on my head. When the clown attempted to place the cap back on my head, I grabbed the lamb sock puppet and proceeded to repeatedly beat the clown with it. Needless to say, I never earned my Bobcat Badge. Instead, the next day, the Cub Scout leaders informed my parents, “Your son is banned from any future events. If he did that to a clown, imagine what he could do to one of our children.”

From elementary school to middle school I had difficulty developing friendships with peers due to my social awkwardness. I experienced severe bullying. Like many children with autism I lacked the ability to decode body language and interpret social cues.

Everything changed in eighth grade when I attended Heart Middle School and discovered my new special interest—track. Bullying ceased as I became a star athlete setting three school records. Autism empowered me to be an exceptional track and cross country runner because it involved repetitive behavior—at exactly 4 pm every day, I had to run five miles, and at 4:45, I worked out with weights. I could never take a break from my routine.

In the spring of 1994, my parents and I reached a roadblock beyond our control. It was my junior year of high school and my life was on the right track. I made the honor roll two straight semesters and was a star track and field athlete. Our 3,200 meter relay team finished 12th in the State of Michigan. As we drove back from the state final, the anchor on our relay team commented “Next year we could be the fastest 3,200 meter relay but Ron will be past the age requirement!”

I heard God speak to my heart, “I will make a way for you.” I said, “God will provide a way for me to compete.”

I was past the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) age requirement because I had repeated kindergarten. My mom contacted the MHSAA and was told I would not be allowed to compete in my senior year. My parents contacted attorneys and learned that a lawsuit would cost over $40,000.

As the cross-country season drew near the circumstances seemed hopeless. My parents told me, “There’s nothing we can do now but pray and trust God.” Psalm 25:3 says, “No one who hopes in you will ever be put to shame.”

In June 1994, I returned from a five-mile run and grabbed the Detroit Free Press. I saw on the front page an article about Craig Stanley, a fellow athlete past the age requirement. Our situations were remarkably similar. We both were born in May 1975, each of us had repeated a grade, and we were both cross-country and track runners. My mom immediately contacted his family and we joined forces in advocacy and prayer.

After I rededicated my life to following Christ, I felt a desire to be baptized to demonstrate my commitment. On Sunday June 10, 1994, I was baptized by Pastor Rob. As Pastor Rob lifted me from the water, he said, “I feel this verse is for you. Joel 2:25, ‘I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten - the great locust and young locust, the other locusts and the locust swarm—my great army that I sent among you.’ Your blessings will begin today.”

When I got home and checked the red-flashing answering machine, I had an unexpected message from an attorney, Rick Landau, who said, “I believe your case will set precedent for the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and I want to represent you pro bono.” Rick Landau won our federal case six days before my first cross-country meet and Craig and I were able to compete in our senior year of high school. Our 3,200-meter relay team set the school record twice and ran the second fastest time in the state of Michigan. I received an athletic scholarship to Michigan Christian College (now Rochester University).

Autism has given some amazing gifts, like a great memory. I can quote over 15,000 scriptures including 22 complete books of the New Testament. In college, I interned under Dr. Jack Van Impe. I have amazing attention for detail and have translated over 2/3 of the New Testament from Greek to English. I have an incredible ability to focus on my special interests, which enabled me to write a 220-page book, “A Parent’s Guide to Autism: Practical Advice. Biblical Wisdom” in less than a year while working full-time in the medical field and part-time as a professor of theology. After I founded Spectrum Inclusion, which creates autism awareness in churches and schools, I have spoken at over 70 events a year, everywhere from Israel to Madagascar. I am living my dream.

Temple Grandin, the renowned animal behaviorist and activist who was born with autism, speaks for all of us when she says, “I am different, but not less.”

Ron Sandison works full time in the medical field and is a professor of theology at Destiny School of Ministry. He is an advisory board member of the Art of Autism and the Els Center of Excellence.

Sandison has a Master of Divinity from Oral Roberts University and is the author of A Parent’s Guide to Autism: Practical Advice. Biblical Wisdom published by Charisma House and Views from the Spectrum. He has memorized over 15,000 Scriptures including 22 complete books of the New Testament. Sandison speaks at over 70 events a year including 20 plus education conferences. Ron and his wife, Kristen, reside in Rochester Hills, MI, with daughter, Makayla. His website is http/www.spectruminclusion.com. You can contact him at sandison456@hotmail.com

Link to Ron’s website: https/www.spectruminclusion.com

Link to Ron’s Facebook fan Page: https/www.facebook.com/ SpectrumRonSandison