Where can one begin to tell a story that has not ended and is still in development? Rebecca Juliet Young was born June 1st, 2000 and was mine and my wive Susan's first child. Struggling to understand the diagnois and how it would impact our lives was a lot to bear as a 1st time parent. But like any new parent it was a lot of reading, exploring and trying. Unexpected suprises and developments hazvcppens some that complicate your life and some which enhance it. Rebecca's sister Rachel Rose would joing our family 4 and 1/2 years ago (she is a typical 6 year old) but not before being struck by lightening by the autism diagnosis when Rebecca was 2 1/2. Rebecca is a beauty and a princess in every way, from her bright and shining smile to her mischievious laugh. The road that autism takes you down has many hills and pitfalls along the way and challenges you in every way possible. Living in Brooklyn, New York we were challenged in many! ways from access to doctors/ pediatricians to educational options to support/caretaking issues. Being a social worker did not prepare me any more for allow of this. I feel my daughters taught me the most. Rebecca taught me the greatest asset of being a parent is just being present with them. Rebecca's sister Rachel says more in her 6 year old thiinking than an adult can at times. We went from getting home based services, exploring the different quality of options from Medicaid Service Cooridation to learning to nativage the Board of Education system as well as understand the various methods from ABA to TEACH to Floortime/DIR. Rebecca's young sister Rachel is her great cheerleader at same time as she slowly begins to understood her older sister's challenges. Currently, My Rebecca attends the appropriately named 'Rebecca School' in Manhattan.