A Story About Andrew Kovacs.......A Very Special "Kid"

Hello My Name is Karen Kovacs. I want to tell you a little bit about my son Andrew Kovacs. Andrew was born on October 3, 1991, at Crouse Irving Memorial Hospital. Andrew weighed in at 9 lbs. 11 oz. and 22" long. I had a great pregnancy and I had a full term pregnancy. Andrew started walking at the age of 1. When Andrew was 17 months old he was doing some "not so normal" things. He would sit in front of the TV with his nose on the TV screen and make high pitched humming noises and would do a lot of hand flapping. Andrew would also at times throw himself onto the ground and kick and scream and he would also bang his head against my walls. I still have the indentation marks on my walls for proof. Andrew couldn't even say the words "Momma" or Dadda". Andrew's way of communicating with me was he would pull on my chin and pull me over to what he wanted and he would point. I was a little concerned. I then took Andrew to my pediatrician who at the time was Dr's Patrick & Donna LaFrate. I mentioned to Dr. Donna LaFrate that I was concerned about Andrew with him not saying simple words like "Momma" and "Dadda" at the age of 17 months old. She told me to go home and relax and that he would talk when he was ready. I came home and mentioned to my husband what she had said and he was very frustrated with her answer. I took Andrew back to see Dr. LaFrate several times after that and I was always told the same thing. Just Go Home and Relax!!!!!! Both my husband and I didn't and wouldn't except the answer so that's when we went on our own. On September 8, 1994, I took Andrew to see Dr. Susan Finkenstadt who was a Speech & Language Pathologist. She evaluated Andrew and determined that Andrew should be scheduled for an Audiologic Hearing Test with Dr. Douglas Brown and Andrew should be enrolled in a preschool program through the North Syracuse School District so that he was able to receive appropriate programming and stimulation. At the time of this evaluation, Andrew demonstrated a severe delay in language production and comprehension. On September 20, 1994, Andrew went to see Dr. Douglas Brown for a hearing test. The results indicated normal sensitivity for the frequencies tested and his current hearing status should not interfere with his communication abilities. I was very relieved to know that Andrew didn't have any hearing problems. In November of 1994 Andrew was diagnosed with Autism. He started to attend the North Syracuse Early Education Program which was a blessing for us. Andrew attended full days at Main Street School. Hats off go to Mr. Michael Bragman for keeping this school open for "special needs children". I thank him everyday. It was very hard at first to see Andrew get on the bus with his backpack on his back. He was so brave but there Mom was standing by the bus with her Kleenex's crying as she saw her little boy off to school. As time went on it became easier for me to watch Andrew leave for school. Andrew has made such wonderful progress over the years. After Main Street School Andrew went on to Cicero Elementary School and now he attends Gillette Road Middle School. Andrew is in 6th Grade. I have to say that Andrew's success is attributed to all the Teachers and Teacher's Aides in the North Syracuse Central School District who worked with Andrew every day. I think you have to be a very special person to work with "special need" kids. I have had the best Teachers and TA's over the years and I want to personally thank every one of them for everything that they have done for making Andrew who he is today. I think they know who they are. Andrew is now 12 years old and is on the Honor Roll @ Gillette Road Middle School. I tutor Andrew every night with his homework. Sometimes he needs my help but otherwise he's a pretty smart kid. His handwriting is to perfect for me and I wish he would learn to write a little faster. Andrew's favorite classes are Science, Math & ELA and least favorite is Social Studies. Andrew lives with me and his father in the Clay area. We have a Golden Retriever Dog but Andrew doesn't like dogs. Andrew loves to talk and he never shuts up. He is worse than me!!! Andrew loves Yugi-Oh Cards. Andrew also loves to bowl and he is also a great swimmer. Andrew loves to go shopping with me and he always reminds me that I can use my checks or ATM Card if I should need to buy anything. Nice Huh!! Andrew's favorite TV shows are Family Feud, The Price Is Right, The Amanda Show, Pokemon, Hollywood Squares, Jimmy Neutron, George Lopez, Ed, Edd & Eddy and of course Yugi-Oh!!!! Andrew has turned into a "fine" young adult. He has come a long way and both my husband and I are very proud of him. He works very hard at school. You know at the end of the day when you come walking through that door after you've had a bad day all's you have to do is just look at Andrew and he makes things so much better. He is a lovable child. He is my little "lovebug".