This is one mother's recount describing the journey of a First Nation's boy with special needs.

5. What is PDD-NOS? Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS) is one of the autism spectrum disorders and is used to describe individuals who do not fully meet the criteria for autistic disorder or Asperger syndrome. Matthew has autistic characteristics that are mild in a few areas such as social, repetitive behaviours , stimulation such as sound can be bothersome for him as well as difficulty with small motor skills. In addition to PDD-NOS, Matthew has epilepsy that requires him to take medicine to keep the seizures controlled.

6. Here are some topics that will be covered in Matthew’s Journey

9. Matthew’s Role in our family.... Matthew is the middle child in the Zoccole family. He loves his 2 sisters: Jaimee (19 years) and Aaryn ( 9 years). To his sisters, Matthew is funny, loving, sweet, considerate, bothersome and pesty all rolled into a unique personality. Matthew is well-loved and appreciated in our family. As well, his limitations are understood and supported. His dad, Owen, takes a special interest in Matthew’s interest in various activities like Halloween (for dressing up) and other such as Harry Potter, Batman, and the Bears football team.

10. Some of Matthew’s favourite things... Bubbles Harry Potter Computers Swimming Helicopters Roller Coasters Navigating while travelling