Later, the fall of that same year, I lost the sense patterns. Part of Preston’s routine
of protection that I used to expect Preston to pro- includes his “relaxation period,”
vide. During the soccer season I was placed on the which I mentioned before. His
same team as my brother, as the league did with routine includes watching TV as
many of its siblings. I took pleasure in playing soon as he returns home, and it is
soccer and gladly chasing the ball as most young- during this time that he should not
sters do, but my brother didn’t seem to enjoy that be “bothered,” as he so often
ANSEN
H
activity. Preston never wanted to go into the game explains. There is no way to get a
and would often cry for no apparent reason. A response from Preston while he NDREA
A
great deal of frustration was apparent when some- watches TV, because this is “his B
Y
O
one stole the ball or when the stampede of children time,” and during “his time” he has
PHOT
chasing the ball ran past him. Preston would often an uncanny ability to block out
be seen on the sidelines sucking his thumb, a habit everything but the current television show he is
Mariana Tellez ’08
and Angus at the
that even I, his younger brother, had given up years watching. Preston’s autism also affects his motor
Christmas Festival.
ago. I also found it weird that my brother had skills to a point where they are not effective enough
repeated kindergarten and that he was now in the for him to be able to play sports, during which
same grade level as I. As I began to flourish, my many of my close friendships have developed.
older brother, my supposed role model, continued An addition was made to Preston’s routine over
only to tread water. a year ago, when to my sheer amazement, Preston
It wasn’t until later that I learned that Preston was able to obtain his driver’s license. I do not know
was autistic, which is why he still maintained the exactly what Preston does on his daily car rides, but
habit of sucking his thumb, rarely talked, didn’t enjoy I do know that he goes to Dunkin’ Donuts and gets
social games such as soccer, and had repeated kinder- the same thing each time, as he does at every restau-
garten. I don’t remember having a specific conversa- rant that I have ever been to with him.
tion with my parents, but I always sort of knew that Over Spring Break, though, Preston got in a car
Preston was different, that he was a little slower. accident. Preston no longer had a car, so he had to
You cannot tell that Preston is autistic from resort back to his bike as his means for transporta-
looking at him, or even after your first encounter tion. It was watching what my parents had to go
with him. But the first clue is that he refuses to through after the accident that reminded me of
make eye contact with whomever he is speaking to; Preston’s constant struggle.
his eyes are constantly darting around the room as I have learned many lessons from Preston, but
if he is paranoid or they are glued directly to the the most profound of them is to not take things for
floor as you speak to him, similar to how a child granted. I see my brother struggling with everyday
behaves as he is scolded. Preston is the nicest per- tasks that no one in this chapel would even think
son I have ever met, always willing to help with twice about while completing. Although there are
what he can, ready to drop anything at any moments when I worry about Preston, there are
moment, as long as it doesn’t interfere with his moments that equally inspire and build my confi-
routine, or what he calls his “relaxation period.” dence in him, such as the time he got his driver’s
The branch of autism that Preston suffers from license. In conclusion, my message is to be thankful
is known as PDD, or Pervasive Development Disor- for what you have and to slow things down so you
der. The PDD affects Preston’s socialization and can appreciate the little things in life.
communication skills. Preston has difficulty with
changes in routine or from familiar surroundings, Angus Anderson of Middletown, R.I., will attend
one of the most recognizable symptoms of PDD, Trinity College in Hartford, Conn. this fall. He can
and he also repeats body movements and behavior be reached at
angus.anderson@trincoll.edu.
ST. GEORGE’S 2008 SUMMER BULLETIN 21
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