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LAWRENCEVILLE - Adrienne Britt Rousseau, and her husband Cy Rousseau, recently returned to this area with their family and are actively involved in the Britt family business, Summit Chase Country Club. Adrienne grew up in Gwinnett County. They made their home elsewhere for the last ten years while Cy served in the Air Force. Their children are: Alicia, twelve years of age, C.J., seven years of age, and Xander, six years of age.

By the time Xander had his second birthday, he had been diagnosed with Autism. To most people, Autism is a mystery malady. Factually, it is a bio-neurological developmental disability that generally appears before the age of three. It is a chronic non-progressive disorder, with a unique set of symptoms in three areas: socialization (interaction with others), communication, and behavior. This includes verbal, non-verbal and sensory processing.

Autism is diagnosed four times more frequently in boys than in girls and since it first appeared in the United States, the occurrence has climbed to one in 150 individuals across the country.

Coping with this life situation has, understandably, been a struggle for the family. Adrienne has emerged committed to helping every parent who needs her, by being involved in autism parent training awareness activities. As Vice President of the National Autism Association, she has traveled into locales such as Charleston, and Flat Rock, NC, and Chicago, as well as locally in Atlanta. She speaks at conferences in the autism community on how it affects the family and sensory integration therapy. She has autism parent training scheduled for New York, Chicago and Washington State, in the near future. She also is involved with autism awareness fundraising activities, such as a golf tournament next April 2004.

Adrienne struggled with understanding Xander's diagnosis and had to implement types of treatments, such as special education, and dietary supplements; and Xander has made great strides in coping with autism. In the past four years he has learned to interact and communicate quite effectively. He still finds that social interaction, initiating and maintaining conversation, processing sensory input, tolerating changes in schedule and routine, and other everyday activities are a challenge for him.

Now! At age six years, ENTER a new companion for Xander. One who can offer constant and unconditional companionship. Entering the picture is a black lab, named "Woody", who was bred and trained for the purpose of assisting a disabled individual. Xander will be able to bond not only with Woody, but to build bonds with others as well. Woody, will offer Xander a comfort zone, where he may interact with a variety of people. "After all, what better communication than between a little boy and his dog"? This little boy, like all other little boys will develop a sense of responsibility in caring for his dog and he will feel needed as provider for his companion. He will feel a sense of independence that comes from being able to accomplish things for himself. This physical interaction will help prevent Xander from becoming frightened or unsure in a public situation.

It seems entirely possible that a bond formed between a boy and his dog could be a huge step in the process of unraveling the mysteries of this puzzling condition.

According to "The Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences; 1193 5:94-101, studies have linked Serotonin, a chemical communicator in the brain as being of particular interest in providing one biological clue toward an answer. Serotonin is present when one is experiencing pleasure or having a pleasant experience. Certainly having a wonderful friend like "Woody,' is a pleasant experience!

Xander and his parents recently graduated Team Training with his skilled companion dog.

"Woody" was attained through a non-profit organization called, Canine Companions for Independence.

CCI Southeast Regional Center is: 8150 Clarcona Ocoee Rd., P.O. Box 680388, Orlando, FLA. 32868-0388, on the web it is www.cci.org. Phone 407-522-3300