Former Buffalo Bill team member Doug Flutie is best known for his breathlessly long list of accomplishments on the football field, from winning the coveted Heisman Trophy while at Boston College to receiving four consecutive Most Outstanding Player of the Year awards while playing in the Canadian Football League. But at home, he's simply "Dada" -- one of about three words his son, Dougie, is able to speak.

Dougie developed like any healthy child until he was 2 1/2 years old. At that point, his speech ability began to regress. Within six months, Dougie was unable to communicate vocally.

"First we had his hearing checked, and when that turned out to be all right, we brought him to a neurologist for a series of tests," Flutie says. One full year after Flutie and his wife, Laurie, noticed a change in their son, Dougie was diagnosed with autism.

The Autism Society of America describes the disorder as a neurological disability that usually appears during the first three years of life. It affects communication skills, the ability to interact socially and trouble with normal play activities. It's a "spectrum" disorder, which means that different people with autism can display different levels of disability. Its cause is still unknown.

Dougie has a form of autism known as Childhood Disintegrative Disorder, which is characterized by the loss of skills acquired through age 2. Dougie doesn't display any of the stereotypical traits of autism such as aggressive behavior or the super-intelligence depicted in 1988 Academy Award winner for Best Picture, Rainman.

"I have learned to not take anything for granted," Flutie says. "Having a child with special needs has put things into perspective for me. It made me realize that little things such as Dougie's smile are more important than sports."

After the shock of their son's diagnosis wore off, Flutie and his wife went to work and created the Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation For Autism.

"[We] realized that we were fortunate to have the resources to provide Doug Jr. with the educational opportunities and special equipment he needed, but thousand of families struggle to pay for similar services for their autistic children," Flutie says. "We wanted to provide families with a place to turn when they are in need of financial assistance so that they can give their children whatever it is that they need."

The foundation also funds research and education efforts, and donates money to non-profit organizations that serve autistic children and their families.

Though Flutie, a celebrated professional athlete, is very different from most fathers, and his son is quite different from most sons, Flutie says the bond they share transcends fame and overcomes disability.

"Dougie and I do things together just like any father and son," he says. "We definitely have a special bond. I help him ride his bike and he is starting to learn how to throw a football. Dougie gets excited when he sees me. I think he gives me more hugs and kisses than he gives anyone."