A look into a family facing autism: Part 2

Eric Rozansky, 15, was diagnosed with autism when he was four years old, but his parents, Steve and Felecia Rozansky, recognized he was not meeting critical developmental goals before he reached one year old. It was through their fierce determination that Eric received the care he needed and today, he is a confident teenager with a bright future ahead.

A father’s point-of-view

Steve is a Bellmore native and owner of Family Auto Service in Baldwin. He is also a dedicated father to three children, one of whom has autism.

Steve credits his wife, Felecia, with caring for Eric when their son was younger. Felecia stayed home to raise their children while Steve worked and Eric clung to her like glue. “[Eric] wouldn’t let me hug him or go near him until he was six or seven,” he explained.

Eric also did not verbally communicate until he was four years old. “He would just scream,” said Steve. “His screams were so loud neighbors were asking what was wrong.”

While the Rozansky’s faced numerous challenges over the years, Steve said the worst part for him was watching his son grow up without friends. He remembered parents saying comments like, “I don’t want that kind of kid in my house.”

The family ended many relationships because friends would not accept Eric in their lives. Steve recalled longtime companions who would not allow their children to play with Eric, but would still ask him to donate to autism fundraisers. “It was the most hypocritical thing. They do it to feel good about themselves. Do something proactive instead . . . If you really want to help the cause of autism, invite your neighbor, whose kid has autism, over for coffee.”

Steve, like Felecia, will actively tell anyone willing to listen that his son has autism. “I’m proud of him,” he said. “We were never one to closet him. We made his disorder, if you will, public.”