12-year-old autistic boy finds freedom in running

Caulden Gary of San Diego was diagnosed with severe autism when he was 18 months old. Now, 12 years old and running on the cross country team at Carmel Valley Middle School, Caulden is not only improving his communication skills, but he is inspiring his teammates.

On running, Caulden says,

"It makes me feel more like me."

From the San Diego U-T (read the full story here):

Because he had a difficult time looking anyone in the eyes, which is typical of the disorder, she [his mother]  trained him to be able to by holding French fries in front of her eyes and not giving it to him until he would make eye contact. Now, he has no problem with it, she said.

He has also learned to read and communicate with an iPod even though he still can’t speak.

And now, after only about two months on the cross country team, Caulden is already more coordinated, calmer in class and better at interacting with his peers, Darocki [his mother] said.