Finland is a McLean resident and freelance journalist who has an adult child with autism. April is Autism Awareness Month and Finland will be speaking at D.C.’s Politics and Prose on Apr. 1 to share her story. Finland spent a summer with her son David, 24, teaching him to ride the Metro alone as part of letting go and helping him live on his own.
What did you and your husband do when David was diagnosed at 5 years old?
You kind of go into this mode of, ‘We can fix this. It’s like colic, he’ll grow out of it,’ or something like that. I think, like many mothers, I grew sort of overprotective and sort of blocked others out, including my husband.
Growing up, how did he find normalcy?
Running [track and field] was great for him. … It’s because the playing field is absolutely level. He’s not just a good runner, he’s a really good runner. And that’s what he’s judged on.
Why was Metro so important?
I would say his riding the Metro was his ticket to independence and freedom. This was his first set of wheels. It was a tremendous victory for him to hop on the Metro, let the doors close behind him, and make the decision where to go. For me, I had to just close my eyes and cross my fingers and hope I’d see him again… [Today] he works on a mobile work crew and he’s just now heading into his fourth season as a [Washington] Nationals fan ambassador.
Any advice for parents who’ve learned their child has autism?
Every morning I check AutismSpeaks.org, which advocates for people with autism and their families, and MyAutismTeam.com has friendly service providers by state… You have to fight the growing isolation that having an autistic loved one brings to families. Widen your circle of support by asking trusted friends and family to babysit. Hire a teenager babysitter/mentor. Go to support groups… And do the unthinkable: Save some time for yourself.
— Liz Farmer
