Instead, he uses gestures, a device called a Mini Moe and has an assistant called a Para with him all the time at school. After school, the 8-year-old goes to his grandparents' house. Routine is key for people with autism.

"What will the future bring? As you learn you don't put any ceilings or floors for that matter for these kiddos. It was tough. You want to fix it. You want to fix everything as a parent when your child is sick or ill or has a condition and you can't," said Andy Collier, who has a child with autism.

"He has to come in and pick out what he wants to eat," said Michael's grandmother, Charlotte Collier.

If his routine changes, he could have a meltdown. Michael uses a belt to stim, and relax himself from any transition.

"We try to help him out as much as we can with the verbalizations," said Michael's dad, Andy Collier.

Eighty percent of marriages end in divorce when there's a child on the autism spectrum.

"There was a lot of stress in this house before my ex decided to leave and that stress went away," said Andy. "It let me focus and concentrate on my kids. As strange as this may sound.. It is a lot better and a lot easier. It would be nice not to have to do everything or feel like you have to do everything but that is my situation."

Andy also raises Michael's sister, Sarah, 11.

"She is great, she is awesome with him. He takes up a lot of time and she is really cool about it. And we have our own time everyday. She is a big help, she really is," Andy said.

"He smiles a lot. He laughs. He just has the funniest laugh," Sarah said.

A laugh that can't be described in words. Michael reached several milestones within the past year, by communicating in his own way.

"It's been progressive," said Michael's grandfather, Bill Collier. "If we go back a year and a half ago, perhaps two years ago he was not as verbal as he is now. He does say some words now. But he would get agitated because he couldn't communicate and he would have an episode until you could really understand what he was wanting to go do with him or for him."

While Andy has never heard his son say, "I love you," he says he doesn't need to hear it.

"I know he does, I know by way he says Dad. He talks to me more than anyone else," Andy said.

While Michael's mother might not be in his life, he has love all around him.

"I think it is too bad. I think it is sad he doesn't have a mother in his life. That's the way it is and Andy has done a terrific job with him and with Sarah but it has been difficult and it has been pretty much his life. They do great, they do fine really," explained Michael's grandmother, Charlotte Collier.

To see behind the scenes footage from the "Combating Autism From Within" team's trip to Brookfield, you can click the extras to the side.

Michael's Milestones:

February 5, 1999 - Michael is born.

2001 - The Colliers realize Michael's older sister Sarah does a lot of Michaels talking for him, Andy Collier says. At this point, they start to investigate and determine why Michael is not speaking and developing properly.

2001-2002 - Dr. Judith Miles of the Thompson Center in Columbia, MO, diagnoses Michael with autism.

2003 - At four years old, Michael starts Bright Beginnings, a half-day, pre-kindergarten program. The program involves several people helping in the class and a lot of socialization, Collier says.

2004 -Collier creates a picture board for Michael. It is a bulletin board consisting of photos of items and photos depicting events, like riding the bus to school. Michaels communication improved the day he put up the board, Collier says. It allows Michael to communicate his wants and needs to his family. Also, in 2004 Collier purchases a big swimming pool for the backyard. When Michael transitioned from the kiddie pool, his world got better. Collier says he's a fish. Michael swims as often as possible, weather permitting. Collier says Michael will spend between 45 minutes and 5 hours in the pool depending on the day. The pool has been an important tool that fosters teaching while playing in a nice environment, he says.

2006 - Collier attends an autism conference held at the University of Missouri-Columbia and visits a booth with information about the Minnie-moe device. The Minnie-moe is a computer that allows nonverbal people to answer questions and communicate. After looking into the Minnie-moe, Collier gets one in hopes Michael's communication will improve. In 2006, Michael is matched up with his current Para, or aide, Sandy Clap. Clap works with Michael one-on-one during his school day at Brookfield Elementary School.