In the Bardstown Elementary School cafeteria there are no assigned seats for Mrs. Culver's fourth-grade class. But Robby Ballard can always be found at the end of the row with his red lunch bag.

While waiting for activities period, Robby gets excited at a red light that goes off when the class gets too loud. Robby's friends enjoy his playful fascinations with the world.

"Higher, higher," said Robby during daily recess, where he spends most of his time swinging.

"You can't explain him with words," aid Rippy said of Robby, who sometimes fixates on the details of his environment.

Robby uses his nose and fingers to count in the hallway during his math period. Although he struggles with reading, Robby speeds through math, which is often the case in autistic children.

Morning greetings usually are accompanied with a hug, which Kathy Rippy, Robby's aide, gratiously accepts. Rippys often sees Robby in the cafateria before working with him all morning in his class.

The Ballard children have 10 minutes after getting home from school before they have to begin their homework. Afterward, Robby wanders off to play video games, often until dinner.

Just before their 8:45 bed time, Beth works out a few of the kids late night giddies. "We spoil them with love, " Beth said of Robby, right, Anthony, center and Alisha, top center.

Swooping towards his Sponge Bob sheets, Robby gets a ride to his pillow from his mother.

Robby shares a room with his two brothers, Josh and Anthony. After Beth wakes the boys, she goes to releave her husband Robert, who takes care of his father, Tom, 93, from midnight to 7 a.m. Josh helps his siblings prepare for school, before their mother returns to take them all to school. Beth also works with an autistic second grader as a special education aid.

Robby had a sensory deficiency as a child, which required his parents to be overly nurturing with him. As a result Robby is very tender and still longs for that nurturing. He and his mother Beth share a moment before dinner.

3-year-old Willy Brammer ends his afternoon with a cart wheel on his front lawn in New Haven.