running around the apartment where he lives with his mother, father, and sister. >> he was a beautiful toddler, running up and down the halls, chasing our labrador retriever. he was such a loving child. and so attachd to me. >> reporter: but when he was about 18 months old, mary noticed eric only had a few words. and he'd become repetitive playing an old cassette tape again and again. >> and so that was the first hint. the pediatrician then said, "it's time to get him looked at." i don't think he got a full diagnosis of autism until he was three. but by two and a half, we were on it and had started therapies. >> reporter: you knew. >> we knew. we knew. >> reporter: eric started going to treatment centers to help him develop language skills. >> eric, do you want some bagel? >> you want bagel yeah. >> reporter: mary was building a career as a professional artist, but she put those ambitions on hold to care for her son full