Tuesday, July 5, 2016
Time Flies
It's been almost 5 years since I touched this blog. Do you know how much happens in 5 years? I am a completely different mom and autism advocate than I was back then. And my kiddo? He has changed so much and yet he hasn't. His biggest struggle continues to be emotional regulation. Funny. That was not even in my vocabulary back in 2011. We are so fortunate for the wonderful teachers and therapists who have crossed our paths. We seem to collect these wonderful people. Now that I think of it, they probably collect us since they typically have such big compassionate hearts and a passion for helping kids like CG. I am thankful every day for them. They are the people, besides my husband, who I can talk to and they just get it. They don't pooh pooh things and tell me their kids do the same thing (ps they may have kinda been doing the same thing back when they were 4 or 5 years old. At 12, not so much.) Anyways, they have walked a mile in our shoes with our kid and understand our fears and sadness, but also celebrate so many successes!!! I am going to try to write with more regularity. I have so much to share. I want to take all those new autism mommies and hug them. Give them my cell phone to call me 24/7. I know you though I have not met you.
Monday, May 30, 2011
A Cure
His therapist came down to the kitchen with him. She was quite impressed. "He just used the word antidote in a sentence and he used it correctly. I've never even used that word in a sentence".
Last fall was the first time anyone mentioned that his vocabulary was beyond his years. Anyone who works with him up at school has noticed his use of big words. This is just one of many examples of autism that I never noticed until it was pointed out to me. I just thought it was just CG being CG, it was a stage, it was his age, etc. I see it all the time now.
I asked Curious George what antidote meant. He told me it was a cure. He picked up the word from one of the many TV shows he watches. It's his ability to take the word and use it in everyday life that sets him apart.
The irony of this all is that there is no antidote for autism.
Last fall was the first time anyone mentioned that his vocabulary was beyond his years. Anyone who works with him up at school has noticed his use of big words. This is just one of many examples of autism that I never noticed until it was pointed out to me. I just thought it was just CG being CG, it was a stage, it was his age, etc. I see it all the time now.
I asked Curious George what antidote meant. He told me it was a cure. He picked up the word from one of the many TV shows he watches. It's his ability to take the word and use it in everyday life that sets him apart.
The irony of this all is that there is no antidote for autism.
Sunday, May 29, 2011
The Underwear Scandal
We were at Best But shopping for appliances for a basement remodel (actually a "model" since it's unfinished right now and we aren't re-ing anthing). Of course we all got separated - I was finishing up with the sales guy and all the boys were no where in sight. Turns out that Curious George-my potty trained 7 year old - had an accident in the store and my husband took him to the bathroom to clean him up.
When I finally found them, Curious George was laughing because daddy had cut his underwear off with a knife. As it turned out it was a #2 accident and my husband did not want to get it all over his socks and shoes so he used the army knife on his key ring to cut off his underwear and Curious George was going commando. I laughed and told Curious George that he would probably never forget that shopping trip. He responded with "I know I won't forget because I am going to go to the library and look up and read every book about children's daddies who cuts off children's underwear with a knife". I just hope that he does not do the search at school.
When I finally found them, Curious George was laughing because daddy had cut his underwear off with a knife. As it turned out it was a #2 accident and my husband did not want to get it all over his socks and shoes so he used the army knife on his key ring to cut off his underwear and Curious George was going commando. I laughed and told Curious George that he would probably never forget that shopping trip. He responded with "I know I won't forget because I am going to go to the library and look up and read every book about children's daddies who cuts off children's underwear with a knife". I just hope that he does not do the search at school.
Sunday, May 22, 2011
How Old Are You Again?
Curious George has a great sense of humor. It's frequently included as one of his strengths from school and reports from specialists. But other times his observations show maturity beyond his years. And those can be fascinating, yet sad.
November/December 2010
"It's like the words can't get up the ladder to my mouth. And then the noise jumps on the ladder" - This was what he finally told one of his teachers after a shutdown at school. A shutdown for him can last anywhere from a couple of minutes to 3-4 hours. Obviously this was after a monster shutdown. I was in disbelief that he said this - not that this was what was happening with him, but that he could articulate it. For years I had felt that he would get so upset and overwhelmed that he physically could not speak. This confirmed it. His teacher told me later that when they would try to get him to talk after an shutdown one of the strategies they used was drawing. He had been drawing ladders for a couple of weeks, however it didn't make sense until now.
Spring 2011
"My body wanted to be mad, but my brain wouldn't let it" - I almost fell on the ground when he said this after a baseball practice. He wanted to join in with the boys, but then he was worried with things like we were late (we weren't; the boys were just warming up), that he stinks at baseball (his words; not mine). He completely disengaged. He didn't look mad. So while I watched this external pull back and forth with him it blows my mind what the interal pull was; in him working so hard to control his behavior.
School has shared that he has been using a replacement behavior at school - instead of turtling and hitting/kicking others he has been hitting his head. Either with his own hand or banging his head on his desk, the wall, etc. You know what he told his Aid - "At least I'm not hurting you any more". When I heard this, I started weeping at the meeting at school.
November/December 2010
"It's like the words can't get up the ladder to my mouth. And then the noise jumps on the ladder" - This was what he finally told one of his teachers after a shutdown at school. A shutdown for him can last anywhere from a couple of minutes to 3-4 hours. Obviously this was after a monster shutdown. I was in disbelief that he said this - not that this was what was happening with him, but that he could articulate it. For years I had felt that he would get so upset and overwhelmed that he physically could not speak. This confirmed it. His teacher told me later that when they would try to get him to talk after an shutdown one of the strategies they used was drawing. He had been drawing ladders for a couple of weeks, however it didn't make sense until now.
Spring 2011
"My body wanted to be mad, but my brain wouldn't let it" - I almost fell on the ground when he said this after a baseball practice. He wanted to join in with the boys, but then he was worried with things like we were late (we weren't; the boys were just warming up), that he stinks at baseball (his words; not mine). He completely disengaged. He didn't look mad. So while I watched this external pull back and forth with him it blows my mind what the interal pull was; in him working so hard to control his behavior.
School has shared that he has been using a replacement behavior at school - instead of turtling and hitting/kicking others he has been hitting his head. Either with his own hand or banging his head on his desk, the wall, etc. You know what he told his Aid - "At least I'm not hurting you any more". When I heard this, I started weeping at the meeting at school.
I'll Take His Advice
Curious George to Big Brother "Let's laugh all day!".
I am starting this blog as a way to document the funny and amazing things Curious George (my son with high functioning autism) shares with us regularly; along with all that I continually learn about life on the spectrum.
I am starting this blog as a way to document the funny and amazing things Curious George (my son with high functioning autism) shares with us regularly; along with all that I continually learn about life on the spectrum.
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