The Nicholls Worth

Issue date: 4/28/05 Section: Lagniappe

Media Credit: Amy Ford Addie Ryman family and social service concentration senior researches autism.

Addie Ryman, a 24 year-old family and social service concentration senior from Zachary, has taken on the task of informing people of the childhood disease autism. She is a single mother and a full time student with two children: a five-year-old son Anthony who is autistic and a six-year-old daughter Gabrielle.
Along with school and her two part time jobs, Ryman is helping Elizabeth Block, assistant professor of family and consumer sciences, set up a Brown Bag Lunch Special on Autism, which will have one speaker a month who will discuss autism in the fall. She also had an Autism Awareness Booth in the Student Union where she handed out pamphlets she created herself.
"Addie is amazing. She is so passionate about this subject," Elizabeth Block, assistant professor of family and consumer sciences, said. "With other students you have to push them to do extra work, but Addie welcomed it. She brought the ideas to the teachers' attention."
Ryman was 19 years old when she found out her son was autistic. At first she was in denial, asking herself how could this happen to her? Then she decided to find out as much about this disease as she could. Ryman decided to work hard and spread the word about autism. She wants to educate people about this illness.
Autism is a complex developmental disability that usually appears in the first three years of life, according to the Autism Society of America. Autism is the result of a neurological disorder that affects the functioning of the brain; it impacts the normal development of the brain in the areas of social interaction and communication skills.
"It's tough balancing school, work and taking care of my kids. Everything has to be planned. I have a calendar with every day planned out," Ryman said.
A big challenge for Ryman is the facts that she cannot be a normal parent, and she cannot do normal things parents do with their children.
"I can't take them out to eat because Anthony has to be watched constantly."
As for her daughter Gabrielle, Ryman says she has to put aside a day each week especially for her daughter. Ryman says her daughter is a lot of help and is very proud of her brother.
"I feel as if I don't give her enough attention sometimes and say today is Gaby's day."
Ryman has help from her best friend and her boyfriend. She says they have both been emotionally supportive, and they are always there for her.

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