Police officer Grasso writes about child on autistic spectrum
Wednesday, July 18, 2018 • The Hammonton Gazette • Page 3
GRASSO, from Page 1
key activities of everyday living
(aDLs), such as tying his shoes,
dressing himself and feeding him-
self.
the discovery was shocking and
worrisome for Grasso and his wife,
Gina, who was pregnant at the time
with their second-born son, Phillip
and was concerned that he would
be prone to developing aSD also
due to studies that have shown a
heightened developmental risk in
siblings.
Grasso admitted that his initial
reaction to his son’s diagnosis was
one of denial, followed by over-
whelming fear, for Seany would
require constant monitoring and
professional care for the rest of his
life.
However, running and writing
were two of the coping mecha-
nisms Grasso used while coming to
grips with his son’s diagnosis.
amazed by Seany’s ability to
bravely endure the challenges of
his condition, as well as the count-
less intensive doctors’ appoint-
ments and medical procedures that
come with it, Grasso decided to
begin writing about his son during
the many late nights where Grasso
had to stay up to watch Seany after
his hyperactivity prevented him
from sleeping.
“Seany was the ultimate hero.
Here, i have this kid, he doesn’t un-
derstand it and he’s going through
it every day, and when it’s done, he
smiles ... He gets excited; you can
tell he’s in good spirits. He took it
in stride and he always tries to,”
Grasso said.
after watching the 2008 Marvel
superhero movie, Iron Man, which
mitigated fearful motifs like