DALLAS — It's fascinating to see just how far Roman Scott has progressed at age eight after he was diagnosed with autism as a toddler.
As a baby, Roman would get fixated on ceiling fans and stare for hours.
"He couldn't talk [at age 2]," said his mother, Elizabeth Scott. "He couldn't sit still. He ran 60 laps a day around our family room and we would have to stop him. He would cry because he wanted to keep running."
Roman appeared to be running off fear.
He was also afraid to touch things with different textures such as Play-Doh, bubbles, and finger foods.
"Every day I was so afraid," Scott added, "and I prayed and I asked God, 'What do I have to do to help this child?' I took suggestions from speech therapists and occupational therapists and then I created my own program for him."
Scott eventually quit her job as teacher and scheduled therapy sessions designed to retrain Roman's brain, starting with meaningful play.
She said they did 78 drills and skills slowly and methodically to build his confidence.
"He was afraid of the rain," Scott said, "so he was afraid to take a shower. So we had to desensitize his head. I would take handfuls of water and sprinkle it over his head, allowing him to get used to the water coming down on his face."
Last summer's family video showing him swimming is a huge accomplishment.
Scott worked with Roman 10 hours a day for three years, and it turned out to be a success — 45 autistic symptoms have vanished, she said.
"I know a lot of parents say '10 hours a day? Oh, that is so much time.' But I say I would do it all again. I would say it is worth it. And now I have my child back," Scott said.
Roman's ability to complete tough puzzles even amazes his former teacher, Paige Garza.
The child was once enrolled in special education classes.
"I would have to say I've never seen a person recover from autism," Garza said. "This is the first one."
Garza is especially surprised to see him playing with others. Roman used to cry and scream if another child so much as touched him.
"When I think back of how he was when he was in my class. And now? It could be two different children you are talking about," Garza said.
Roman is now a normal second grader in a traditional classroom.
He has a best friend, excels academically, and plays two sports.
Scott wrote a book titled Raindrops on Roman, detailing exactly what she did to help her son recover.
"I do believe its a miracle," Scott said, "but, I want the miracle for everyone."
The 160-page book is for sale on-line by Robert D. Reed Publishers for $14.95.
E-mail ddenmon@wfaa.com
