GOOD TRIP

This morning I took Ryder's hand to lead him to the front door because it was time to go to school. He must have tripped over his shoes (they are a little big), but I managed to swing him up and save him from biffing it on the floor.

I knelt in front of him afterwards and looked at him.

I said, "Did you have a good trip?"

And you know what? He laughed at that. See. Someone is home after all.

SPEECH THERAPY FAMILY

We received some good news from the Occupational Therapist for Hunter and Mason. They no longer need services!! They have finally caught up with their peers in this area. It came as quite a surprise. I am sure that 1 year of gymnastics/tumbling with an OT also helped, as well as the in-school therapy and out-of-school OT. YEAH!!

Now, we focus on Speech. All three boys were evaluated again and they still need services. Hunter is age 6 years and 3 months in his pragmatic language (his real age is 10 1/2). Mason's needs are different; articulation and social skills. Of course, Ryder needs everything.

It's so strange that each kid has different needs/challenges when they are from the same gene pool. You'd think they would be a little more similar. I guess that's why they call it a SPECTRUM.

Bill is getting ready to start Speech himself. He has difficulty with pragmatics and social skills. He has learned throughout his life to "copy" how other people survive socially, just to get by--but finally he is able to get the therapy that he needed so long ago.

I'll have to post a conversation we have had as an example. It really is humorous at first, then absolutely frustrating to no end later as these conversations continue every day. Hunter is the most annoyed with it. Well, I guess he's right up there with me. Hmmm...Let me think of one...

Bill: "Hey Steph, when was my last physical with the doctor?"
Steph: "I think it was last May"
Bill: "You mean a year ago last May, or this past May?"
Steph: "No, just this last May."
Bill: (clarifying...) "You mean a YEAR ago in May, or this PAST May?"
Steph: (trying to contain my eye roll) "Just this last May...How hard is that to understand?!"
Bill: "That's what I'm trying to find out. All I want to know is if it was a year ago, or this past May?"
Steph: "Just a few months ago".
Bill: "A few as in three or twelve? It depends on the context, you know"
Steph: (by this time I have pulled out all of my hair) "Now I don't want to tell you!"


Whew!! Ok, ok, so I exaggerated a little bit, only at the end, but it is TRULY frustrating. You can only imagine when Bill and Hunter go at it. It always ends up with Hunter stomping off and coming up to me with daggers in his eyes and he says, "See?!"

I think Speech Therapy will be FANTASTIC!!

COMING OUT

Now that the Travolta's came out that their son did in fact, have autism--I thought I'd repost this older post.

I was livid when I found out. Think of all the good they could do for the autism community and the awareness for the rest of the world.

I know it's none of my business. But those of us little people sometimes need a hero.

Here is a link to the foundation they have set up in their son's name. Heroes are better late than never.



Jan 7, 2009

MORE THAN A TRAGEDY


This will be a controversial post, and I mean no disrespect to the Travolta family. I've been thinking--well--wondering if Jett Travolta did in fact, have a form of autism. The family denies it, but that is understandable too. (Maybe they called it PDD-NOS.) The reason for my speculation is this:

-Seizures
-Disconnected behavior in public
-Macrocephaly
-His uncle, Joey Travolta, did a documentary called "Normal People Scare Me" about autism and believes Jett had a form of autism
-Holding his father's hand in public at age 16
-Being buckled into a car by his nanny
-Having a nanny.
-Toe walking
These are just some of my observations. I won't bring up their religion, because that will open up a big can of worms

COWBOY AND WILLS

This is a must read: Cowboy and Wills by Monica Holloway

"Monica Holloway has written one of the most extraordinary memoirs I've ever read. Tender, loving, and heartbreakingly intimate, it chronicles her struggle to coax her son, Wills, out of the shell of autism. I highly recommend this gorgeous and frank book about family, connections, and the ephemeral state of belonging."

-- Barrie Gillies, senior editor, Parents Magazine

"Monica Holloway had me laughing AND crying within the first five pages of Cowboy & Wills. She crafts artful and, so often, hysterical observations of everyday life, while also revealing the many dimensions of heartache that come with being a mother who wants only the best for her family. Monica is the genuine article when it comes to pitch-perfect memoir writing."
-- Jennifer Lauck, New York Times bestselling author of Blackbird and Still Waters