ALMA, GA (CBS ATLANTA/ AP) -
Jorge Ashe led his mom on a walk through the state capitol.
"A few short years ago, that would have been disastrous," said Leah Ashe, Jorge's mother.
Jorge is a 9-year-old who lives with autism.
Ashe said when her son was first diagnosed she had little hope he would lead a normal life.
"I was told he would never walk or talk. My first worry was for his future," Ashe said.
Just going to school is a struggle.
"Recess and lunch are the worst parts of the day for a child who can't stand loud noises, can't stand chaos, has difficulty finding his place in the world," Ashe said.
After years of therapy, Jorge now reads at his third-grade level and plays football. But his gains came at a huge cost.
"Tens of thousands of dollars," Ashe said.
Link:
Parents of kids with autism push lawmakers for more coverage