Archive | November, 2013

I’m thankful for…

27 Nov

A few days ago I posed the question on my Facebook page, “What (autism related) are you thankful for this year?”

I purposely left it at that, to see where people would go with the question. And before reading any of the answers, I typed up what I’m thankful for this year, as related to autism…

I’m thankful for Dylan. I’m thankful for his sweet voice, his smile, his kisses, and his laugh. I’m thankful for his little face, his curly hair, and his millions of freckles. I’m thankful for all of his words. I’m thankful for how smart he is; for his ability to understand, and his ability to communicate. I’m thankful for his doctors, teachers, and therapists (past, present and future). I’m thankful for how much he motivates me. I’m thankful for the the love he gives me, and for the love he inspires me to give to others. I’m so thankful for my littlest brother, Dylan.

I’m also thankful for my job, and for all my clients. I’m thankful for the sweet memories I’ve made with the kids I’ve worked with, and for the ability to make a difference in their lives. I’m thankful for getting to do something I genuinely love for a living.

Here’s what some of my Facebook followers are thankful for this year….

 
My son’s new school placement. He’s not only thriving, he’s exceeding my expectations.- Patricia
 
Young Living Essential Oils!!- Katie
 
Our ABA therapist. She not only cares about my son’s development, but our entire family’s well-being. I am so thankful for everything she does. – Deanna
 
That I was able to obtain a private placement for my son. He achieved more in his first 6 weeks than he did in 2 years in his “award winning special education program” in our district! I am so proud of him!- Jamie
 
Our boys’ new school has been a breath of fresh air, our boys are able to be themselves and are more confident, as parents we could not be happier and thankful when we see our boys smiling and happy to attend school instead of being fearful.- Jodie

My son’s hugs and kisses. -Sonya

Where do I begin? Progress is always great, fantastic siblings, innocence and lack of superficial nonsense ( I can look perfectly dreadful at any time and he’s the one person who would not feel a need to comment!), a super duper smile that lights up a room, and big hugs from a very big boy…. To name a few!- Bloom and Grow LLC

My son’s teacher who raised money to buy him an ipad without our knowledge and then surprised us with it. It was a huge blessing for my son with Autism who’s non-verbal.- Single Mothers who have Children with Autism

My son is the most honest person I have ever known. I don’t think he could ever tell a lie, in fact he gets very upset when other people do.- Hollie

I’m thankful for progress.  When I look at my kids 4 years ago and then look at them today, I can’t believe they are the same people.  Thankful to everyone who helped them to date, those that are yet to come and for the two of them for being the special people who they are.- Ilene

Thankful that my brother’s have improved so much. – Erika

My son’s voice/giggles  being able to stop. Room full of people- Spinning cars and flying horses autism bipolar adventure

I’m thankful for progress.  I look at my pictures (literal and figurative) of my children now and 4.5 years ago when they were diagnosed.  I see so much progress in them both.  These changes are due to the teams of people who have worked with both of them as well as research that has given everyone new ideas.  ABA has given me my daughter who was trapped in her body for such a long time.  And my son was able to find his style through patience and music.- We Care About Someone With Autism

I’m most thankful for Autism itself. While yes, the heartbreaks and roller coaster rides that go along with this diagnosis can be enough to break even the strongest of people, it’s caused me to stop and be thankful for all the little things. The autism hugs, the autism kisses – I love every part of it, as it’s what makes my son, exactly who he is. – Jennifer

Have a Happy Thanksgiving everybody!

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Perspective

23 Nov

Something happened yesterday that so beautifully exemplifies this Thanksgiving season…

To give you a little background, I work with a family who has 3 children with Autism; a 15 year old, a 13 year old, and an 8 year old. One of them is so self-injurious his head has permanent bruises and welts from where he punches himself in the temples. His knuckles are constantly scabbed. He hurts himself probably at least 400 times per day (and that’s a conservative estimate). He also frequently undresses to poop and pee all around the house. His sisters roam the house, humming and slapping things. Not any of them speak. They communicate through crying, pointing, grabbing, and one of the kids uses some sign language. Their refrigerator has a chain and lock on it, to prevent the kids from over-eating. Their bathroom remains locked to prevent the kids from showering non-stop. Their front door to the mobile home they live in remains locked with a key to prevent elopement. Some of their furniture is broken because of one of the kids slamming his body into it during a tantrum.

This is their life….everyday. 3 Autistic kids, each with very severe disabilities in communication; each with very severe  behaviors.

So, while I was there yesterday, the mother said something to me that really made an impression…

She said, “I see the kids at their school. They are in wheelchairs, and with walkers. I feel so sad for them. They can’t run and play. Some people feel bad for my kids, but they can play with toys and they can run around. But those kids, I feel bad for them.”

What an incredible perspective. This mom of 3 displays no pity for herself or her circumstances. She finds joy in her children’s abilities, rather than despair in their disabilities. She may or may not know how many people feel sad for her, because of her lot in life, but she chooses to find joy in her circumstances, and instead offer her sympathy for those with physically disabled children. This mom inspires me. She has an incredible perspective on life.

lincoln

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Ring-Bearer

19 Nov

BREAKING NEWS!

Worlds Cutest Ring Bearer Strikes Again!

MeDylWedding

My sister got married earlier this month, and Dylan was her ring-bearer. Just like during my wedding, I wrote a social story to prepare him for the big day. He loved reading through it and knew exactly what was expected of him, in order to earn his reward (some Bendaroos). On the rehearsal day, I reminded him to walk slow, hold the flower girl’s hand, and most importantly: to have a quiet voice and calm hands. He did great!!

When the sound techs turned on the processional music, Dylan boldly ordered them “Turn it up!” Then when practicing the exit, he grabbed the flower girl’s hand and ran down the aisle, smiling and laughing. It wasn’t what he was supposed to do, but it was adorable. It was perfectly Dylan.

Then came the big day…. Unexpectedly, he got upset about his boutonniere. (Who woulda thunk?) So we did a little “First-Then” strategy with him. “First take a few pictures, then you can take it off.” He wiped his tears and smiled for the pictures, then we promptly removed the flower from his tux. As we were about to enter the church, he decided he was okay with the flower, so we popped it back on. I whispered to him to remember to walk slow, stand in his spot, and have a very quiet voice, with no talking.

He made his way down the aisle, escorting the flower girl like a gentleman.

DylAisle4

He stood in his spot, between 2 groomsmen, and held their hands. (SO FLIPPIN’ CUTE!)

Wedding

A few minutes into the ceremony, he left the stage to go sit with his dad. Then he was chattering about who-knows-what. He eventually quieted down and even came back up to walk the flower girl back down the aisle at the end.

He did a fantastic job, all in all. And I know my sister feels just as blessed as I did to have him be a part of her wedding. Afterall, Dyl is the best ring bearer in the world 🙂

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Trick or Treat

3 Nov

Another one of my traditions with Dyl is taking him trick-or-treating. Since he was very young I’ve been able to celebrate Halloween with him, more years than not. When he first started trick-or-treating we would prompt the entire process, and we were his voice. “Trick or treat… Thank you, Happy Halloween”. We would help him hold his bag out, and prompt him to repeat a simple “thank you” at each house, although he was inconsistent in responding. Then one year I was impressed when he independently said “Trick or Treat” at a few houses! And, one time he even greeted a neighbor with “Chuck E Cheese! Where a kid can be a kid!” We laughed and reminded him, “did you mean trick or treat?”

This year he recited an online social story over and over in between houses. He told himself, and us, “People give out candy, and small snacks!” …. “Wait here!” …. “Don’t go in people’s houses unless you know them.”

Then after I prompted him a few times, he kept repeating  “Look in their eyes and say ‘thank you’.”

I have thought about his perseveration and I’m still not exactly sure what to make of it. Does he repeat it as a way of reminding himself of what to do? Does he repeat things because he doesn’t know what else to talk about? Does he repeat it because he’s excited for the routine at each house? Does he repeat it because he thinks he’s supposed to say it over and over? Does he repeat it because it’s a favorite story he’s recently learned? I don’t quite know why he perseverates so much on social rules and exectations. But, regardless, he did a great job trick-or-treating, and I had fun going with him.

I also loved something else he said this year…. We went up to a dark house, knocked, waited, and then realized no one was home. He turned and said “That’s weird”.  !!!   He was spot on! Absolutely right! And it was hilarious! He knew that Halloween night was all about going house to house to get candy. So to come to a house where no one opened the door or gave out candy… that was weird! It was so appropriate, and totally spontaneous. It was a highlight of my night 🙂

Our Halloween’s through the years…

Halloween

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