Alva Review-Courier -

PUEBLO, Colo. (AP) — Even before he was diagnosed with autism while in kindergarten, Luke Gebbink's life's journey wasn't without its hurdles.

Before entering preschool, Gebbink lost the ability to speak and had to relearn how to piece phrases together.

Words, however, never came easy as the young Gebbink — who also was diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and anxiety disorder — struggled to come to grips with the fast-paced and confusing world he found himself navigating.

"All through school, Luke had many challenges, emotionally and socially," said his mother Rae Deane Geb...