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OUR STORY
THREE TIMES THE LOVE
Paperback Edition
by Lynn and Randy Gaston
Avery Publishing / Penguin
Release Date: March 2nd, 2010ISBN: 978-1583333792
Price: $15.00
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Randy Gaston posted on March 05, 2010 03:50
3 BEAUTIFUL BOYS
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Signs Of Autism Early To Develop
In Honorees At Springbrook Gala
By LAURA COX - The Freeman Journal & Hometown Oneonta
MILFORD CENTER
“All I’ve ever wanted is for someday, when I’m gone, for them to be able to function Independently” - RANDY GASTON, FATHER OF AUTISTIC TRIPLETS
The Gastons’ story starts out like that of many American families.
Lynn and Randy wanted to have kids. After years spent trying to conceive, they opted to use IVF – In vitro fertilization. Learning Lynn was pregnant with triplets, they were overjoyed. The pregnancy was closely monitored. Hunter, Zachary and Nicholas were born prematurely, but not enough to concern anyone. They were healthy. "We thought we had made it through the tough part,” Randy said in a phone interview the other day from his home in Howard County, Md. But the tough part, chronicled in “Three Times the Love: Finding Answers and Hope for Our Triplets With Autism,” was just beginning.
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Randy Gaston posted on June 10, 2009 22:04
On June 6, 2009, we posted our first article on Examiner.com titled "How will an Autism Commission help Maryland families?" This article covered the recently enacted House Bill 503 to create an Autism Commission in Maryland featuring Delegate Nic Kipke (R) from Anne Arundel County, the main sponsor of the bill.
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Randy Gaston posted on June 10, 2009 15:29
Study Wants To Discover Risk Factors For Autism
Reporting Kellye Lynn
BALTIMORE (WJZ) ―
Over the past decade, the number of children diagnosed with autism has increased tenfold and doctors are not sure why. Healthwatch reporter Kellye Lynn says researchers at the Kennedy Krieger Institute and Johns Hopkins have embarked upon a new study to understand why this disorder has become so pervasive.
Researchers at Hopkins are working to uncover the early risk factors for autism.
Lynn and Randy Gaston suspected something was wrong with their triplets long before anyone else did.
"They weren't speaking, making developmental milestones like speaking and drinking out of a cup," Lynn said.
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Randy Gaston posted on June 02, 2009 13:37
Special Books for Special Needs
Parents look to books for help and hope in dealing with disabilities and childhood disease.
by Kathryn E. Livingston -- Publishers Weekly, 6/1/2009
The Power of Memoir
In Isaacson's powerful The Horse Boy: A Father's Quest to Heal His Son (Little, Brown), the author notes that the Web is the resource most parents of autistic kids turn to for information. But that may be changing, and if so, Isaacson's own riveting memoir may lead the way. Not only is the book imbued with drama and atmosphere (it's not every day that a shaman comes to visit), it's also filled with the challenging everyday details of living with an autistic child.
In April, Isaacson and Little, Brown partnered with the Autism Society of America to spread the word about the disorder. Says Marguerite Colston, vice president of constituent relations for ASA, “We realized that Rupert Isaacson had a really wonderful message of how parents can dream for their kids with autism, of how kids with autism can have a quality of life.” Representatives from ASA joined the author on a 10-city tour, and informational materials were distributed at every event. “The folks who attended the book signings came away with a little more hope, and we got some great media exposure to the fact that you can help your child with autism. You don't have to think of it as the end, it's actually a beginning,” Colston says.
A Child's Journey Out of Autism by Leeann Whiffen (Sourcebooks) is also a gripping tale of triumph. Says senior editor Shana Drehs, “Autism is a problem that only seems to be growing, with more and more kids diagnosed every year. This is such a positive story of how a mom, without any special resources or special connections, did everything she could for her son and managed to find a way to pull him out of it. It's a story of triumph and hope and a mother's love prevailing, and I think this is a message that people are looking for right now.”
Lynn and Randy Gaston's Three Times the Love: Finding Answers and Hope for Our Triplets with Autism (Avery) chronicles the experiences of “an ordinary American family overcoming extraordinary odds.” As the couple struggle to care for three sons—each at a different place on the autism spectrum—they offer an overview of the therapies and resources available to parents of autistic kids. “It's part memoir, part guidebook,” says Anne Kosmoski, senior publicist, adding, “It's a heartfelt story, but they also wanted to give advice, since there are no real guideposts to follow.”
Boy Alone: A Brother's Memoir by Karl Taro Greenfeld (HarperCollins) shines a harsher light on the subject, revealing that not enough is being done for the aging autistic community. Greenfeld, brother of Noah (the subject of A Child Called Noah, the first in a trilogy by the boys' father, Josh Greenfeld, published in the 1970s), writes from his perspective as the “normal” child. As his parents age, it becomes clear that Noah, now 42 and institutionalized, will eventually become the author's responsibility. “It's a complicated family drama and clearly the sibling point of view is important,” notes Gail Winston, executive editor, “but in the same way that people read Joan Didion's memoir even if they have not lost a husband, people will read this book as memoir. I see this as a memoir for a general reader as much as for the autism community or for people with children with special needs.” It is also, she observes, a book of activism that dramatically underlines the legacy of care.
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Randy Gaston posted on June 01, 2009 02:02
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
CONTACT
RANDY GASTON
410-564-4278
Autism Expo 2009:
Parents of triplets lead the way in facing autism head on
Lynn and Randy Gaston of Ellicott City, Maryland never expected triplets, let alone triplets with Autism. Autism forced its way into their lives when their seemingly typical two-year-old sons began to exhibit some of the classic characteristics: loss of speech, toe-walking, hand-flapping, auditory sensitivity. The Gaston’s suspected autism and their fears were confirmed by the diagnosis of two doctors prominent in the field. All at once, their lives turned upside down; dreams of a “typical” childhood for their children pushed aside to make room for a daily mosaic of therapies. Today, seven-year-old Zachary, Hunter and Nicholas maintain a full-time schedule of therapy and speech therapy as well as placement in a typical Elementary School, all with the goal of increasing their ability to engage with others and more become more independent in handling daily living skills.
Autism has affected the Gaston boys profoundly and at different cognitive levels, yet the family is unbowed by the daunting hand life has dealt. “We have chosen to face autism head-on,” says Randy, with Lynn adding, “We are seeing continued progress each week and we are hopeful that our efforts, as well as the effort of those who work with our sons, will continue to pay off”. Their sons now attend a typical Elementary school with neurotypical peers. The Gastons want to help other families so they too can get important information that might help them find programs or therapists to assist their families with their journey.
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Randy Gaston posted on May 21, 2009 06:35
'Very little resources' spurs book on autism
By Shannon Baylis Sarino
sbsarino@gmail.com
Posted 5/21/09
When Randy and Lynn Gaston became parents of triplet boys June 2, 2001, they faced a steep learning curve.
Not only did they have to adjust to being a family of five, but 18 months after Nicholas, Hunter and Zachary were born, their parents faced a new challenge: The boys began exhibiting symptoms of autism.
The Ellicott City couple has recently written a book, "Three Times the Love: Finding Answers and Hope for Our Triplets with Autism," which chronicles their journey through their sons' autism diagnosis, and includes information and research they have done along the way.
The book, which was published by Avery Publishing and became available March 19, has been well-received, according to Randy Gaston.
"We've gotten a lot of great reviews from families," Randy Gaston said. "There's so much out there about autism. ... It's hard to gauge where you stand with other people. We've gotten a lot of great e-mails, phone calls; we haven't heard anything negative."
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Randy Gaston posted on April 30, 2009 21:51
Three Times the Love
By Lynn and Randy Gaston
Lynn and Randy Gaston’s story echoes many familiar themes: difficult and confusing behaviors, delayed diagnoses, and lack of support. Yet it is unique because this mom and dad have experienced the process with triplets who are all on the autism spectrum. They have faced every challenge … times three … and still speak about it with a grace that lifts this book into the extraordinary.
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Randy Gaston posted on April 19, 2009 11:42
AUTISM TIMES THREE
Brandon Oland - Staff Writer
Carroll County Times
April 19, 2009
Randy and Lynn Gaston, of Ellicott City, were the proud parents of triplets who seemed to be developing normally.
Then chatty Nicholas stopped talking at 18 months.
Hunter started walking on his tiptoes.
Zachary started lining up his Thomas the Tank Engine train set in a certain order. He fussed if anyone messed with it.
Doctors warned the Gastons that the triplets, born premature seven years ago, could have health issues.
Autism never came up.
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Randy Gaston posted on April 17, 2009 10:19
Book Review: Three Times the Love Finding Answers and Hope for Our Triplets with AUTISM by Lynn and Randy Gaston
April 16, 2009 · Sandy Holly
It is books like this that make you feel like angels have been sent down to help others in the same situation. This book was so heartfelt and written with such emotion you could feel it through the each turn of a page. I cried all through this book and then cheered as the heartbreak of Autism went through this family. The determination both parents have to make sure their boys have what they need to overcome this diagnosis is overwhelming. As I have mentioned before in previous Autism book reviews, my grandson Jordon has Autism, and it was a struggle, but we got the right school, teacher, and specialists.
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Randy Gaston posted on April 15, 2009 07:18
Parents Tell Story of Triplets with Autism
Thursday, April 9, 2009
By: Carin Yavorcik
"Three Times the Love"
After years of trying to conceive, Lynn and Randy Gaston were blessed with triplets. Their three sons, Zachary, Hunter, and Nicholas, turned the Gastons’ home into a flurry of diaper changings, feedings and baths. At eighteen months, the boys began to exhibit odd behaviors - Zachary lined up everything from toys to cereal boxes, Hunter would walk around on his tip toes and Nicholas went completely silent and would stare at lights for hours.
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Randy Gaston posted on April 12, 2009 02:22
LITERARY CALENDAR APRIL 13-19, 2009
18 SATURDAY 2 P.M. Lynn Gaston, and her husband Randy Gaston, discuss and sign Three Times the Love: Finding Answers and Hope for Our Triplets with Autism. Barnes & Noble Booksellers - Ellicott City, 4300 Montgomery Rd., Ellicott City, Md., 410-203-9001. April is Autism Awareness Month.
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Randy Gaston posted on April 07, 2009 00:19
AUTISM
Family Matters
"Three Times the Love" (Avery)
Lynn and Randy Gaston, who live in Ellicott City, begin their memoir of having triplets with autism by describing a typical morning. By 2:15 a.m., their sons are "on their own complex, private paths": Nicholas sorts through dinosaur-shaped crackers to find the stegosauri (the only ones he'll eat), Zachary reads a Dr. Seuss book aloud and Hunter suddenly emits a high-pitched scream for no clear reason. The boys are now 7 years old. In the first half of this compelling memoir, the Gastons tell their story; in the second half, they give advice to other parents of children with autism.
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Randy Gaston posted on April 06, 2009 16:54
Multiple Challenges, Plenty of Love
Despite the difficulties of raising three autistic sons, Lynn and Randy Gaston feel blessed.
By Sarah Beldo
April, 2009
The Gastons' three sons are all autistic
After years of trying to conceive, Lynn and Randy Gaston were delighted to discover they were having triplets.
But 18 months after their sons were born, the couple began to notice unusual behaviors in the boys. After researching the symptoms, the Gastons came to a difficult realization: Their sons were autistic.
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Randy Gaston posted on April 05, 2009 02:30
Randy Gaston will be on KFXN 1100 in Phoenix AZ on 4/5/09 on Autism Talks with L'roy Hale at 5PM PST / 8PM EST. You can listen to the segment online at http://www.1100kfnx.com/.
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Randy Gaston posted on March 27, 2009 10:54
Lynn Gaston was featured on Friday Morning March 27,2009 on Good Morning Maryland with Host Jamie Costello on WMAR-TV(ABC).
CLICK HERE TO WATCH
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Randy Gaston posted on March 22, 2009 13:20
Randy Gaston posted on March 20, 2009 13:17
Lynn and Randy Gaston were interviewed Live today on NewsChannel 8 with Doug McKelway in DC/VA. Here is a link to the footage.
http://www.letstalklive.tv/n_videoplayer.cfm?video=ltlautism0320.wmv&id=178
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Randy Gaston posted on February 28, 2009 22:08
Thanks to Betsy Stein at Maryland Family for the following review posted in the March 2009 edition of Maryland Family on Page 12.
Parents of Autistic Triplets Tell Their Story
A local family with triplets, each on the autism spectrum, has written a book about their experience.
"Three Times the Love: Finding Answers and Hope for our Triplets with Autism," by Lynn and Randy Gaston, will be available this month. It is the story of a family dealing with extraordinary circumstances as well as a guide book for other parents with autistic children, according to a press release.
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Randy Gaston posted on February 26, 2009 09:02
In response to our testimony, Delegate Kipke asked if we could forward copies of "Three Times the Love" so he could distribute to Committee members and Senate. Our publisher kindly obliged and sent 33 copies overnight so that perhaps they can appreciate what some families endure to get the appropriate information and services for their loved one(s).
Attached is Delegate Kipke's response.
Randy Gaston posted on February 26, 2009 08:40
The follow is testimony we provided Delegate Kipke in favor of House Bill 503 in creating an autism commission in the state of Maryland:
Good Afternoon Mr. Chairman Hammen, Vice Chair Delegate Pendergrass and committee members,
My name is Randy Gaston and I am here today to speak in favor of and support Delegate Nicholas Kipke’s House Bill 503, titled “Maryland Commission on Autism”. As the father of seven year-old triplet boys diagnosed with varying degrees of autism, I can attest to the importance in Maryland for such a commission to exist.
Autism is a complex neurobiological disorder that affects both children and adults.
· Statistics show that 1 in every 150 children today are diagnosed with autism.
· Every twenty minutes another child is diagnosed; that’s 72 children a day.
At this alarming rate, you either already know somebody with autism or you will soon. Eventually, autism will affect everyone in this state in some way, shape or form. This could happen to you. It happened to our family and there were no relatives in our family with autism. We had no idea of how profoundly this would impact our lives.
Every day is a struggle for families of children and adults with autism. The impact autism has on families is enormous because there aren’t enough resources in education, medicine, respite care, or funded programs. This is where we need your help. Many families are left on their own to find out how to obtain both services and fund them. Right now, families fund the services they desperately need by borrowing money, over extending their credit and even selling their homes (as it was in my case).
By creating a commission that can understand and addresses the core deficits of autism, you will ultimately assist all families impacted throughout Maryland with a unified voice of diversity. There is an immediate need for resources and programs right now that will help families find the information they seek, and hopefully one day the resources they need as their child becomes an adult.
Autism and the families impacted are on the rise, it is here now and continues to become a larger issue as the population continues to grow. The citizens of Maryland deserve a commission that can understand firsthand the impact an autism diagnosis has on both the family and the community at large and have the power to act when appropriate.
I thank you for your time and consideration in support in favor of this bill. A decision in favor now will ultimately help thousands of families in the State of Maryland; both now and in the future. We only wish that there was such foresight years ago when our sons were first diagnosed.
Respectfully,
Randy Gaston
February 17, 2009
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