Caleb Fain

“WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE DINOSAUR?”

This is the first question you’ll get when you meet our bright and creative son, Caleb Fain. Caleb is autistic and just turned 10 in August. In addition to dinosaurs, Caleb is passionate about space, toy rockets, tigers, aliens, painting and drawing, jumping on the trampoline, swimming, riding bikes and scooters, grocery shopping and playing with friends. Caleb is a wiz at navigating kids programing on YouTube to watch Peppa Pig, Hey Duggee Squirrel Club and loads of dinosaur videos.

Our family – Christopher (dad), Amber (mom) and Caleb – moved to Ballantyne four years ago from Dublin, CA. We also have two wonderful pets, our cat Jersey and dog Zuma. We didn’t know Caleb was autistic until our pediatrician recommended testing when he was about 2 years old. To us, in our home, he was just our sweet, handsome, perfect boy. We could not understand why he was having a more challenging time at daycare than his toddling peers.

Coming home from testing with a diagnosis, we were a little stunned and confused, but reassured that we were going home with same wonderful kid. Now we had a window of insight into challenges he would likely face, and a confusing and ever-changing array of ways we could understand and support Caleb. Learning all we need to know feels like earning an advanced degree and requires continuous education. The therapy and support we’ve employed have changed as Caleb grows and matures.

Large crowds, certain noises and some social interactions can be very stressful for Caleb. It’s not always obvious what makes him uncomfortable, so we’ve learned to be flexible and adapt. He often wears headphones and carries a backpack with his preferred toys to help. Finding schooling and activities where Caleb can be supported and succeed has been extremely challenging and at times heartbreaking. He currently goes to Metro School in Uptown, where we’ve found a wonderful teaching staff who makes him feel safe and helps him learn. He started 5th grade this fall with a familiar teacher and classmates. Social interaction is challenging for Caleb, but also something he very much wants. While it’s often lonely for kids on the autism spectrum, the community we’ve found in Ballantyne is what has really helped Caleb grow and thrive. Through our neighbors, we’ve found great support navigating schools and services, inclusiveness in social gatherings and wonderful mothers’ helpers and sitters who have become some of Caleb’s closest friends.

We are proud of how much Caleb has accomplished and are delighted by his creativity and playfulness. Our autism journey has given us an appreciation for how wonderfully complex humans are in seeing and experiencing the world, and how profoundly impactful even small gestures of accommodation can be.