Like many of his high school graduating peers, Nick Patton is about to embark on a journey of post-secondary education and celebrate entrance into adulthood.
Unlike many of his fellow Bow Valley High School (BVHS) 2017 classmates, how Nick arrived to put on that cap and gown and walk onto that stage to accept his high school diploma is a story of the quintessential underdog, achieving victory through perseverance and tireless hard work.
He is one of 64 students accepted into New Media Production at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) this fall – a program that had some 200 applications.
“I was really excited I got into the program against all odds … because of my autism,” explained the 20-year-old from the comfort of an elegant room adorned with his very own artwork – oil paintings, charcoal renderings and more – in the Patton family home, nestled in the wilderness of Bragg Creek.
“I’m a little nervous – but this is the next step for me. The world is opening up for me,” he said, looking up at the framed grizzly bear painting he co-created with his art teacher, Kelly Covert.
Diagnosed with the neurodevelopmental disorder at age three, Nick has overcome his greatest obstacles through rigorous programming, behavioural, occupational and speech therapies.
His village is comprised of his parents, Tina and John, his 18-year-old brother and best friend, Matthew, and a few teachers who saw something special in Nick.
“Put your seatbelt on world, because holy cow: Nick Patton is coming,” laughs Tina. “We followed his lead – if there is one message I can give to parents, it’s that.”
To some, autism spectrum disorder or simply autism is known as a disorder associated with sensory issues – difficulty integrating socially and often a minefield of sensitivities, aversions, behavioural challenges and verbal roadblocks.
To Nick, it just means he experiences the world differently.
Tina reflects on a memory of being in the backyard with Nick 10 years ago, when a bird rustled nearby. Her son quietly explained to her that while his mother only hears the one sound of the moving bird, he hears all the other sounds that nobody else even notices.
“He has self-advocated for himself a lot – it’s wonderful to see him come out the other end of this … we’re so proud of him,” said John, with a fatherly ruffle of his son’s hair.
Although the family celebrates now, the road to victory was a long one.
Rewind 17 years when Tina first noticed her son was not “hitting the milestones” and exhibiting signs that have become commonly associated with autism: non-verbal, avoiding eye contact, not fitting in socially or playing like the other kids in the room and acting out in frustration.
Following the diagnosis – at a time when awareness of the sensory disorder and it’s increasing diagnosis was just beginning – Tina decided it was all or nothing.
“It was very frightening because you didn’t know what the future would be like for him … as a family, we all rolled up our sleeves to give him everything we could.”
The family immediately enrolled Nick in the Intensive Behavioural Intervention (IBI) program. At that time, the program was an intensive 40 hours each week, stemming from the Geneva Centre for Autism.
The Patton family added PUF (Program Unit Funding) into the mix – additional provincial funding for “young children who have been diagnosed with a severe disability and who require additional supports and services prior to Grade 1.”
Through this intensive programming, Nick learned to speak and develop eye contact by age four and had complete language by 10. Tina said she thinks Nick would now be rated at the level of Asperger’s – or the highest level of functionality on the autism spectrum.
Earlier years saw some bullying, but Nick said he learned to take it in stride and Tina feels it instilled a tremendous compassion and empathy in her son – one of his shining characteristics.
“People used to pick on me,” said Nick, who has grown to be 6’4” tall. “I didn’t pay any mind to it. I just ignored them. It was tough sometimes.”
Homeschooling during the middle school years brought Calgary-based educator Vera Goodman into the Patton home. A retired teacher, the spry 83-year-old continues her work as a lecturer, author, private tutor and creator of the Reading Wings language arts program.
“I had a very special way of working with him … I had him for one session and turned him around,” explained Goodman while sitting on the couch at the Patton residence, adding that her technique teaches students to redirect their minds in order to access information.
Goodman predicts that Nick will “blow their socks off” at SAIT.
Tina adds that the post secondary school will also provide the supports Nick needs.
“I’m not the best reader, but I try – and Vera helps,” said Nick. “The school I go to now is really nice. Mr. Kimura is a really nice man and I know he’s always going to be there for me.”
Robert Kimura is the principal of BVHS, where Nick has attended school for the last four years.
“Nick is a fine young man that came to BVHS with a great attitude, wanting to be successful,” said Kimura. “Working alongside his supportive family and dedicated teachers Nick achieved success in his tenure at Bow Valley.”
Nick and his younger brother will be getting their own digs in Calgary this fall – their bond offers a measure of relief to Tina as she prepares for both her sons to chart their course of adulthood in the coming months.
His plans include becoming a video game designer and if all goes well at SAIT, he might look to further post-secondary options.
“Nick is a success story,” said Tina, wishing she could have connected with her earlier self to let her know everything was going to turn out just fine.
