Starr
02-07-2008, 01:58 AM
MURRAY, Utah (ABC 4 News) - Autism is a difficult diagnosis for any parent, but for a Murray family, the difficulty is multiplied by six. All six children have autism - the rarest documented case in the U.S.
The Kirton family was featured in this month's issue of People Magazine and Wednesday on Good Morning America.
Their Kirton morning routine is much like any other family, although with six autistic children, some days are easier than others.
“We want to take care of them and just hope for a better day to make their lives easier,” explains father John Kirton.
The oldest, 14-year-old Bobby has a high functioning form of Asperger Syndrome.
9-year-old Emma and 8-year-old Nephi also have Asperger’s, but are prone to anxiety, temper tantrums and extreme fixations with specific objects.
At the other end of the spectrum, 6-year-old Sarah and 4 year-old Ammon have been diagnosed with Classic Autism. Both are completely non-verbal and have wreaked havoc on the Kirton's home.
“She's six-years-old and she's not potty trained. She does a lot of screaming, that's how she communicates,” says John.
3-year-old Mary has the least severe form of Autism.
But how is it that six siblings all have some form of the disorder?
“The current feeling is, it's a combination of genetic risk and some environmental influence that either determines whether the child has autism or how severe autism is,” says Dr. Gary Goldstein of the Kennedy Krieger Institute.
The average cost of caring for one autistic child is $500 a month.
Two years ago, the financial and emotional strain took its toll on the children’s mother, Robin. “I just lost it. I started crying. And I started yelling at God and saying I have been asking you and I have been praying for a long time for your help, but you so far haven't done a darn thing. And I can't take one more day,” she expresses.
Somehow though, these loving parents found the strength for one more day - after day.
“They're just so wonderful in their own unique ways and they just bring so much joy into our lives,” says Robin.
Because the family's circumstance is so rare, the Kirton's are involved in a genetic study at the University of Utah.
http://www.abc4.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=a3241325-4c97-44ca-af24-5761ca42c746
The Kirton family was featured in this month's issue of People Magazine and Wednesday on Good Morning America.
Their Kirton morning routine is much like any other family, although with six autistic children, some days are easier than others.
“We want to take care of them and just hope for a better day to make their lives easier,” explains father John Kirton.
The oldest, 14-year-old Bobby has a high functioning form of Asperger Syndrome.
9-year-old Emma and 8-year-old Nephi also have Asperger’s, but are prone to anxiety, temper tantrums and extreme fixations with specific objects.
At the other end of the spectrum, 6-year-old Sarah and 4 year-old Ammon have been diagnosed with Classic Autism. Both are completely non-verbal and have wreaked havoc on the Kirton's home.
“She's six-years-old and she's not potty trained. She does a lot of screaming, that's how she communicates,” says John.
3-year-old Mary has the least severe form of Autism.
But how is it that six siblings all have some form of the disorder?
“The current feeling is, it's a combination of genetic risk and some environmental influence that either determines whether the child has autism or how severe autism is,” says Dr. Gary Goldstein of the Kennedy Krieger Institute.
The average cost of caring for one autistic child is $500 a month.
Two years ago, the financial and emotional strain took its toll on the children’s mother, Robin. “I just lost it. I started crying. And I started yelling at God and saying I have been asking you and I have been praying for a long time for your help, but you so far haven't done a darn thing. And I can't take one more day,” she expresses.
Somehow though, these loving parents found the strength for one more day - after day.
“They're just so wonderful in their own unique ways and they just bring so much joy into our lives,” says Robin.
Because the family's circumstance is so rare, the Kirton's are involved in a genetic study at the University of Utah.
http://www.abc4.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=a3241325-4c97-44ca-af24-5761ca42c746