Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Protestants Are Single Celled Organisms...
"Um...buddy? I think you mean protists." One of the many humorous grammatical mixups Super Aspie Boy has come out with recently :-)
Saturday, February 12, 2011
I Give Him Two Jobs To Do...
But if he gets one done, I'm thrilled. Multi step instructions usually fizzle out after step two...especially if told to him over the phone. Well today he not only CLEANED his room, he also remembered to bring down the dirty clothes and bring up the clean ones. I'll ignore the bowl that has been sitting in his room for the past week...
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Why The Title Change?
I really stink at research intensive type posts. Or even regular posts for that matter. A snapshot of my son's world is really more fitting. Think a blog comic book...but without the cool drawings ;-)
Saturday, February 5, 2011
My Son's Report Card Made Me Cry
I was at work the other day. As usual I called home to make sure my oldest daughter and my son, got home safely from Middle School. She answered and I asked "Did you have a good day?" "Yes! I had a great day! I made high honor roll!! (this is the 6th straight quarter, she's made high honor roll...yes, I'm bragging).
Before I could even begin to congratulate her and tell her how proud she makes me (which she does every day), she said "But guess what? Jonah had an even better day...he made honor roll!!!"
I literally couldn't speak. "He made honor roll?" "Yes!! He did!!!" I tried to speak. I'm sure I opened my mouth several times. My co-worker was standing next to me, looked at me with alarm and asked "Is everything ok at home?" I nodded frantically. I could feel the tears forming as I whispered "Jonah made honor roll."
My co-worker smiled and I lost it. I handed her the phone and ran into the back office with my hands over my face. I was shaking and sobbing. Tears were running down my face. Two other co-workers looked at me in alarm. One asked "Are you ok? Did something happen to your kids??!" It took me a few tries, before I managed to whisper "My...my son made honor roll." "Awww, so its a good cry!" one said. I nodded, hands still over my face.
My son.
My son made the honor roll.
He made the honor roll!!!
Just the other week, my husband and I were speculating on how Jonah was doing in school. We know where is strengths are, but worry about what he struggles with, how it impacts his grades... and how that will affect him as he navigates middle school. Also, how it will affect him beyond middle school.
Then he showed us what he can do. What he is capable of. You've heard the expression "a weight was lifted?" I never really experienced that until the other day. Something was literally lifted up and made immeasurably lighter. I was caught off guard. I didn't know, until that moment, how much worry I had been suppressing.
My beautiful boy. My smart, wonderful, quirky, odd, funny, stimy and beautiful boy. He has amazed me yet again.
I am so blessed to have three amazing and wonderfully unique kids. I am so proud of all of them. That my oldest, thought first of her brother's achievement over her own makes my heart nearly burst with love for her. That my youngest tells anyone who will listen, about him...I feel the same.
Somehow, God thought me worthy to be Mom to these three kids...and I am forever thankful.
Before I could even begin to congratulate her and tell her how proud she makes me (which she does every day), she said "But guess what? Jonah had an even better day...he made honor roll!!!"
I literally couldn't speak. "He made honor roll?" "Yes!! He did!!!" I tried to speak. I'm sure I opened my mouth several times. My co-worker was standing next to me, looked at me with alarm and asked "Is everything ok at home?" I nodded frantically. I could feel the tears forming as I whispered "Jonah made honor roll."
My co-worker smiled and I lost it. I handed her the phone and ran into the back office with my hands over my face. I was shaking and sobbing. Tears were running down my face. Two other co-workers looked at me in alarm. One asked "Are you ok? Did something happen to your kids??!" It took me a few tries, before I managed to whisper "My...my son made honor roll." "Awww, so its a good cry!" one said. I nodded, hands still over my face.
My son.
My son made the honor roll.
He made the honor roll!!!
Just the other week, my husband and I were speculating on how Jonah was doing in school. We know where is strengths are, but worry about what he struggles with, how it impacts his grades... and how that will affect him as he navigates middle school. Also, how it will affect him beyond middle school.
Then he showed us what he can do. What he is capable of. You've heard the expression "a weight was lifted?" I never really experienced that until the other day. Something was literally lifted up and made immeasurably lighter. I was caught off guard. I didn't know, until that moment, how much worry I had been suppressing.
My beautiful boy. My smart, wonderful, quirky, odd, funny, stimy and beautiful boy. He has amazed me yet again.
I am so blessed to have three amazing and wonderfully unique kids. I am so proud of all of them. That my oldest, thought first of her brother's achievement over her own makes my heart nearly burst with love for her. That my youngest tells anyone who will listen, about him...I feel the same.
Somehow, God thought me worthy to be Mom to these three kids...and I am forever thankful.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
"I Got A 96!!"
This was the exclamation from my son, as he barreled into the house - in his typical, drop crap in a bread crumb trail style. I didn't even get a chance to ask him in what subject, before he told me it was in science. Am I surprised? No. Am I thrilled? YES! That he does so well in his other subjects, makes it a bit easier to deal with our concerns over his struggles with math.
See, its not that he can't get the math. The frustrating thing, is that he doesn't get the TIME to get the math. No sooner than he starts to grasp a concept, than its off to the next. We are scrambling with a way to give him that additional support at home. He also doesn't have a math book. WTF? Seriously? One of the hardest subjects in school and you don't have a frigging text book for it?
So, as in elementary school - I'm going to have to ask that he have step by step examples of what is being taught, sent home on copies. Once he grasps the concept, its in his head - he's not stupid. Or slow. He just needs to approach math, in a roundabout way.
After all...how many kid's come home and ask your thoughts on "taxation without representation," and can explain why that's a bad thing?
See, its not that he can't get the math. The frustrating thing, is that he doesn't get the TIME to get the math. No sooner than he starts to grasp a concept, than its off to the next. We are scrambling with a way to give him that additional support at home. He also doesn't have a math book. WTF? Seriously? One of the hardest subjects in school and you don't have a frigging text book for it?
So, as in elementary school - I'm going to have to ask that he have step by step examples of what is being taught, sent home on copies. Once he grasps the concept, its in his head - he's not stupid. Or slow. He just needs to approach math, in a roundabout way.
After all...how many kid's come home and ask your thoughts on "taxation without representation," and can explain why that's a bad thing?
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
So Hard To Blog
about my son...I find it easy to blog regularly about my running/triathlon adventures. Why is this such a challenge?
Perhaps because it hits so close to the heart?
Because he's so on the edge of "normal?" He's diagnosed with higher functioning Aspergers (on the Autism spectrum). School is challenging, but he is holding his own academically. I'm not sure about friends...play dates are rare. He's at that point, where he's developing beyond his elementary school friends, but isn't quite up to his peers in middle school.
We watch him, to see how he acts when its time to go to school...and when he comes home. Leaving and coming back with a smile, is taken as a good sign. He has a good appetite (ok...a HUGE appetite). He interacts - hugs, talks, smiles, jokes and does his chores (not always willingly...typical tween).
But he also loves to repeat entire groups of dialogue from his favorite shows or movies
He flaps. He also vocalizes what we call "sound effects" in conjunction with his flapping.
He has "intense interests" (not the same as 'mini obsessions,' which are transitory and/or periodic) - Military History, Lord Of The Rings, Star Wars Clone Wars, Indiana Jones and his dominoes - these have been a favorite toy of his, since he was three. Well before he was diagnosed with Autism, we noticed how he loved to line up those chunky Crayola markers. It only made sense that if he liked to line things up, he might as well do it with something he could be creative in doing so.
Has what we call "mini obsessions." Which can be anything from fixating on a particular video game, to not moving his cat off his lap, "because she's happy" and needing us to move her. Yes, that is an actual issue at times.
His conversations, can be very one sided, if you do not gently remind him or redirect him. "Listen to what the other person is asking you/interested in/wants to do/talk about."
We ask him regularly, what other people he knows, like to do/read/watch. We try, as much as we can, to teach him to put himself in the world around him...and not get lost in the world inside him.
His speech, sounds somewhat, as though English were his second language. In fact, he sounds quite a bit like Data from Star Trek: The Next Generation. Tenses and plurals, however, continue to be tricky for him to master. Misplaced modifiers? All over the place...but those we try to make fun. When he verbalizes one....we point it out to him in a way that is humorous and not critical - that he can appreciate the unintended humor, is amazing.
I realize, that when it comes to Autism - how severely your child is affected, is an unknown. I see that in many ways, my son is lucky. Is that what it is, luck? A genetic game of poker?
Whatever it is, I admit...its hard to write about. I know there are kids out there, far more affected than my own. There are parents who are exhausted, beyond worried and trying to figure out how to care for a child - that will most likely require a lifetime of full time care.
So what right do I have, to worry about...to write about my son? Who can stay home alone. Is learning to babysit. Can go to away camp with his Boy Scout troop. Who can make his lunch with the toaster oven. Walk home alone from school. Make his bed without help. Who does not have toilet issues and can bathe himself? How selfish am I to worry?
But I do worry. Because my son is not neuro-typical. He will never be neuro-typical. He may learn to navigate the NT world, but he will always be a bit quirky. Be a bit "stimy."
My son is high functioning. But I'm his Mom...and I worry all the same.
Perhaps because it hits so close to the heart?
Because he's so on the edge of "normal?" He's diagnosed with higher functioning Aspergers (on the Autism spectrum). School is challenging, but he is holding his own academically. I'm not sure about friends...play dates are rare. He's at that point, where he's developing beyond his elementary school friends, but isn't quite up to his peers in middle school.
We watch him, to see how he acts when its time to go to school...and when he comes home. Leaving and coming back with a smile, is taken as a good sign. He has a good appetite (ok...a HUGE appetite). He interacts - hugs, talks, smiles, jokes and does his chores (not always willingly...typical tween).
But he also loves to repeat entire groups of dialogue from his favorite shows or movies
He flaps. He also vocalizes what we call "sound effects" in conjunction with his flapping.
He has "intense interests" (not the same as 'mini obsessions,' which are transitory and/or periodic) - Military History, Lord Of The Rings, Star Wars Clone Wars, Indiana Jones and his dominoes - these have been a favorite toy of his, since he was three. Well before he was diagnosed with Autism, we noticed how he loved to line up those chunky Crayola markers. It only made sense that if he liked to line things up, he might as well do it with something he could be creative in doing so.
Has what we call "mini obsessions." Which can be anything from fixating on a particular video game, to not moving his cat off his lap, "because she's happy" and needing us to move her. Yes, that is an actual issue at times.
His conversations, can be very one sided, if you do not gently remind him or redirect him. "Listen to what the other person is asking you/interested in/wants to do/talk about."
We ask him regularly, what other people he knows, like to do/read/watch. We try, as much as we can, to teach him to put himself in the world around him...and not get lost in the world inside him.
His speech, sounds somewhat, as though English were his second language. In fact, he sounds quite a bit like Data from Star Trek: The Next Generation. Tenses and plurals, however, continue to be tricky for him to master. Misplaced modifiers? All over the place...but those we try to make fun. When he verbalizes one....we point it out to him in a way that is humorous and not critical - that he can appreciate the unintended humor, is amazing.
I realize, that when it comes to Autism - how severely your child is affected, is an unknown. I see that in many ways, my son is lucky. Is that what it is, luck? A genetic game of poker?
Whatever it is, I admit...its hard to write about. I know there are kids out there, far more affected than my own. There are parents who are exhausted, beyond worried and trying to figure out how to care for a child - that will most likely require a lifetime of full time care.
So what right do I have, to worry about...to write about my son? Who can stay home alone. Is learning to babysit. Can go to away camp with his Boy Scout troop. Who can make his lunch with the toaster oven. Walk home alone from school. Make his bed without help. Who does not have toilet issues and can bathe himself? How selfish am I to worry?
But I do worry. Because my son is not neuro-typical. He will never be neuro-typical. He may learn to navigate the NT world, but he will always be a bit quirky. Be a bit "stimy."
My son is high functioning. But I'm his Mom...and I worry all the same.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
If I sing a song, will you sing along?
This is such a fitting song, for my son. "Sing Along" by The Blue Man Group with Dave Matthews on vocals:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eagbog8_MGI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eagbog8_MGI
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Susan Senator - "The Dignity Of Risk."
http://susansenator.com/blog/2010/11/the-dignity-of-risk/
An amazing post about a Mom, her 21 year old son with Autism and personal dignity. I especially like this quote:
" If Nat is to become as independent a man as possible, he must be allowed to do what he needs to do, even if it is a little scary, not completely predictable. "
How true. I know how this Mom is feeling, because as my son (now 11) grows older, I am beginning to navigate this uncertain road. We began this journey a few years ago, at the age of 7 by allowing him in the men's locker room independently. The same for the restrooms.
We also started letting him play alone outside, with the rules and boundaries clearly explained. I even role played certain situations (What do you do if you're ball rolls in the street? If a car pulls in the driveway? Our neighbor's dog gets loose? Etc etc).
Last year, we began allowing him to stay home alone for short periods - making sure he knew how to reach us on his sister's cell phone, what to do if someone knocked on the door and what he could/could not do in the house.
Now, he is learning to babysit his sister for short periods - when I have to run to the store or if my oldest is on the late bus from school and I'm at work.
What will come next? I'm not sure. As he grows older and becomes a teenager, I expect he will let us know. Watching him and my oldest approach their teenage years, I can't help but compare the two. In all honesty...its my neuro-typical oldest daughter that is giving me the most stress!!! :-)
An amazing post about a Mom, her 21 year old son with Autism and personal dignity. I especially like this quote:
" If Nat is to become as independent a man as possible, he must be allowed to do what he needs to do, even if it is a little scary, not completely predictable. "
How true. I know how this Mom is feeling, because as my son (now 11) grows older, I am beginning to navigate this uncertain road. We began this journey a few years ago, at the age of 7 by allowing him in the men's locker room independently. The same for the restrooms.
We also started letting him play alone outside, with the rules and boundaries clearly explained. I even role played certain situations (What do you do if you're ball rolls in the street? If a car pulls in the driveway? Our neighbor's dog gets loose? Etc etc).
Last year, we began allowing him to stay home alone for short periods - making sure he knew how to reach us on his sister's cell phone, what to do if someone knocked on the door and what he could/could not do in the house.
Now, he is learning to babysit his sister for short periods - when I have to run to the store or if my oldest is on the late bus from school and I'm at work.
What will come next? I'm not sure. As he grows older and becomes a teenager, I expect he will let us know. Watching him and my oldest approach their teenage years, I can't help but compare the two. In all honesty...its my neuro-typical oldest daughter that is giving me the most stress!!! :-)
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Happy Birthday My Beautiful Boy
11 years ago, on October 17th, in the wee hours of the morning you were born. Four hours start to finish, you were in a bit of a hurry. Barely time for the epidural, no time to find a sitter for your big sister (almost two years old then) who was there for the whole thing. Afterwards, she looked at her new baby brother, said "Awww. Can I hab a cookie now Daddy? Pwease?"
She got her cookie and we all got an amazing addition to our family. Barely 6.5 pounds, you were all torso and legs (you still are). Like your sisters, you have your Dad's round upper features and my pointy elf chin.
You were a good baby, within a month you slept through the night.
We had no issues nursing.
You hit all the milestones for an infant/toddler on time.
You had no major illnesses.
You loved your Classic Pooh, Gund Piglet and your fleecy dinosaur blanket from Plymouth, NH (you still sleep with both).
You were a happy baby. You are a happy boy.
You have Aspergers.
You are amazing.
You are funny.
You are smart.
You are loved.
We wouldn't want you any other way.
You define your Autism, it does not define you.
Happy birthday, Jonah...what an honor it is, to be your Mom and Dad.
She got her cookie and we all got an amazing addition to our family. Barely 6.5 pounds, you were all torso and legs (you still are). Like your sisters, you have your Dad's round upper features and my pointy elf chin.
You were a good baby, within a month you slept through the night.
We had no issues nursing.
You hit all the milestones for an infant/toddler on time.
You had no major illnesses.
You loved your Classic Pooh, Gund Piglet and your fleecy dinosaur blanket from Plymouth, NH (you still sleep with both).
You were a happy baby. You are a happy boy.
You have Aspergers.
You are amazing.
You are funny.
You are smart.
You are loved.
We wouldn't want you any other way.
You define your Autism, it does not define you.
Happy birthday, Jonah...what an honor it is, to be your Mom and Dad.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
No Chore Modifications
Our son may receive modifications via is IEP for school related work - but not at home. After school, he is expected to start his homework and finish it - we help if its needed and always look over his work. Instead of giving him the answers, we show him how to find them in the material he has at his disposal.
After homework, he has his "rest" time. This usually means playing with his dominoes in his room. He uses them to role play Revolutionary or Civil War battles of his own imaging. They have been a favorite "spectrum" toy of his since we bought his first set at around age 4. He used to just line them up and knock them down. Then, he started incorporating them into his imaginary play (as he grew older, his imaginary play matured - but it still is very centered around his especially intense interests).
Other times, he will compose a Calvin and Hobbes inspired comic - his original comic "odes" to Bill Waterson's creation, are becoming more witty and unique, as he becomes more confident about putting his own sense humor to paper.
He has chores now - manly ones, we like to call them. Helping Mom, by bringing the filled dirty laundry basket downstairs. Checking the dryer and bringing any clean ones upstairs. Cleaning up after the dog in the yard - he is both disgusted and delighted by this task - listening to his exclamations as he picks up poo, is hysterical (This one is HUGE!!). Then, there are the expected chores - making his bed, cleaning up his floor before bedtime and putting his own clothes away.
As he gets older, our expectations of him both at home and at school continue to increase. The world outside of school, does not have an IEP. There are no modifications for what real life throws at you. A special parking spot, will not prepare him to pay his own bills, hold down a job or live independently as an adult. So we start now, in small ways, here and there to prepare him.
It might mean having him redo a spelling test at home, that he did poorly on at school.
Re-writing that lower case "a" a dozen times, until it looks more like an "a" and less like some wonky doodle (same for lower case "d" and "b").
Practicing "give and take" conversations in the car. Especially in being conscientious of what the other person is speaking about.
Constantly re-directing him to look at person who his speaking to him (he has no issue with eye contact, the other way around).
Giving him places he can freely flap in with no one asking him to tone it down (home, mostly his room. Outdoors. The YMCA.).
Privileges for something well done, without being asked.
Consequences for something he shouldn't have done (and sticking with our decision).
In all honesty, at the end of the day, all I can hope is that we've continued to do our best by him. The biggest dream I have for my son, is for him to be happy - as it is for all my children.
After homework, he has his "rest" time. This usually means playing with his dominoes in his room. He uses them to role play Revolutionary or Civil War battles of his own imaging. They have been a favorite "spectrum" toy of his since we bought his first set at around age 4. He used to just line them up and knock them down. Then, he started incorporating them into his imaginary play (as he grew older, his imaginary play matured - but it still is very centered around his especially intense interests).
Other times, he will compose a Calvin and Hobbes inspired comic - his original comic "odes" to Bill Waterson's creation, are becoming more witty and unique, as he becomes more confident about putting his own sense humor to paper.
He has chores now - manly ones, we like to call them. Helping Mom, by bringing the filled dirty laundry basket downstairs. Checking the dryer and bringing any clean ones upstairs. Cleaning up after the dog in the yard - he is both disgusted and delighted by this task - listening to his exclamations as he picks up poo, is hysterical (This one is HUGE!!). Then, there are the expected chores - making his bed, cleaning up his floor before bedtime and putting his own clothes away.
As he gets older, our expectations of him both at home and at school continue to increase. The world outside of school, does not have an IEP. There are no modifications for what real life throws at you. A special parking spot, will not prepare him to pay his own bills, hold down a job or live independently as an adult. So we start now, in small ways, here and there to prepare him.
It might mean having him redo a spelling test at home, that he did poorly on at school.
Re-writing that lower case "a" a dozen times, until it looks more like an "a" and less like some wonky doodle (same for lower case "d" and "b").
Practicing "give and take" conversations in the car. Especially in being conscientious of what the other person is speaking about.
Constantly re-directing him to look at person who his speaking to him (he has no issue with eye contact, the other way around).
Giving him places he can freely flap in with no one asking him to tone it down (home, mostly his room. Outdoors. The YMCA.).
Privileges for something well done, without being asked.
Consequences for something he shouldn't have done (and sticking with our decision).
In all honesty, at the end of the day, all I can hope is that we've continued to do our best by him. The biggest dream I have for my son, is for him to be happy - as it is for all my children.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Middle School Week 1
The past week, in Jonah's words (more or less):
I had a great day! But I had to eat lunch alone, my friends' (from elementary school) table was already full when I got there.
Me: How is getting your locker open going? Jonah: Good! No problems at all now (had it down after the first couple days).
Me: Are you making it to your next class before the bell rings? Jonah: Yes! Well...most of the time.
Me: Have you met any new friends? Jonah: Not yet, but I will (please God...let this be true). I see my old friends. We eat lunch together.
***
This past Monday - Jonah gets out of bed and is almost immediately in tears. Very odd for him. I ask him what's wrong. The tears start flowing and he wails "I have gym today. I don't want anyone to see me in my underwear!!" Dad and I reassured him, as best we could - really, we've all been there regarding the medieval torture that is having to change in a school locker room. At the end of the day, I call him from work to see how gym went. "It went fine! No one saw my underwear. Its all good. Can I play Spore on the computer till Dad gets home? I finished my homework." "Yes, you certainly can." I replied.
I'm also keeping an eye out for the cross country/running sign up sheet. In regards to athletics - he definitely has the physical ability - but not always the focus. Since he has a natural talent for running, Dad and I both think that is the school athletics area to encourage him in - especially in the sense of involving him in a peer related activity. He's run with Dad a few times before, (the least being 3 miles and the most being 6) this past summer. Other sports (aside from his karate and swim classes), give him too much of an opportunity for him to become distracted or bored. With running - you can get lost in your imagination if you like and no one is the wiser.
I had a great day! But I had to eat lunch alone, my friends' (from elementary school) table was already full when I got there.
Me: How is getting your locker open going? Jonah: Good! No problems at all now (had it down after the first couple days).
Me: Are you making it to your next class before the bell rings? Jonah: Yes! Well...most of the time.
Me: Have you met any new friends? Jonah: Not yet, but I will (please God...let this be true). I see my old friends. We eat lunch together.
***
This past Monday - Jonah gets out of bed and is almost immediately in tears. Very odd for him. I ask him what's wrong. The tears start flowing and he wails "I have gym today. I don't want anyone to see me in my underwear!!" Dad and I reassured him, as best we could - really, we've all been there regarding the medieval torture that is having to change in a school locker room. At the end of the day, I call him from work to see how gym went. "It went fine! No one saw my underwear. Its all good. Can I play Spore on the computer till Dad gets home? I finished my homework." "Yes, you certainly can." I replied.
I'm also keeping an eye out for the cross country/running sign up sheet. In regards to athletics - he definitely has the physical ability - but not always the focus. Since he has a natural talent for running, Dad and I both think that is the school athletics area to encourage him in - especially in the sense of involving him in a peer related activity. He's run with Dad a few times before, (the least being 3 miles and the most being 6) this past summer. Other sports (aside from his karate and swim classes), give him too much of an opportunity for him to become distracted or bored. With running - you can get lost in your imagination if you like and no one is the wiser.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Almost A Middle Schooler...
and so many worries and things to look forward too!
Will he
learn to open his own locker sooner than later?
make it to class before the bell rings?
have meltdowns?
have kids be kind to him, more than they are not?
make new friends?
be able to handle the homework - even though its modified?
have fun?
enjoy cross country?
continue to thrive?
Will he
learn to open his own locker sooner than later?
make it to class before the bell rings?
have meltdowns?
have kids be kind to him, more than they are not?
make new friends?
be able to handle the homework - even though its modified?
have fun?
enjoy cross country?
continue to thrive?
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Sacket's Harbor - War of 1812 Grand Tactical
Our son loves history. I mean he LOVES history, especially Military history. At any given moment these days, you can find his nose in a book about the Revolutionary War or the Civil War. So, we thought he would love a trip up north, to see the War of 1812 Grand Tactical in Sacket's Harbor, NY.
We had a fantastic day - watching demonstrations on cooking, metalworking and ending with the battle re-enactment at
the end. After, we waked down into Sacket's Harbor and had a fantastic dinner at a local restaurant and sampled some of the locally made beer (1812 Amber). I highly recommend making the trip up to attend this two day event. Not only do the re-enactors do a fantastic job, coordinating and running this event - but its a great way to support our NYS Park
s.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Home Safe and Sound
A quick update on my son's camping trip. He had a FANTASTIC time! We were told he did very well - no behavioral or separation issues. The other Scouts seemingly were very accommodating of his quirks. He even earned a "smartest Scout for the day" for his extensive knowledge of the American Revolution. The highlight, for me, was his one phone call home. This from an altitude/hike at 500 feet (the only place they could get cell reception). Upon returning home, he proudly informed Dad that he "had a great time and didn't brush his teeth for a week!"
Lets just say, he had a thorough reuniting with the bathroom and all its hygienic qualities.
Lets just say, he had a thorough reuniting with the bathroom and all its hygienic qualities.
Saturday, July 17, 2010
All Packed Up
Well, after two and a half hours of packing, my son is all set to go on his first parent free camping trip away from home tomorrow. He and Boy Scouts from all over the region will be spending the next week in the Adirondacks.
They're going to be kept pretty busy swimming, hiking and canoeing. They will also have the opportunity to earn various merit badges in a variety of areas from map reading, ecology and archery - to name but a few things. They may even see bears...hopefully very shy bears...very full and very shy bears...at a very great distance.
As laid back as I sometimes appear to be about my kids, I'm pretty nervous inside! He's acting pretty cool about it too, so I wonder how much of the "away" part has sunk in. I know I'm going to jump every time the phone rings. If it rings later in the evening, I think I'll do more than jump - I'll probably fly right out of my skin. I hope so much he has a good time. If I see him at the end of the week, grubby and full of smiles, that will make it all worth while.
Saturday, July 10, 2010
The Best Seats
Fireworks have never been an issue for Jonah, sensory wise. He LOVES them. We live in a great little town, that really loves to put on the occasional fireworks show over the summer. These often follow some great outdoor music. The best part is, we can see the fireworks from the comfort of our own front yard - all but the lowest are visible. My son loves to recite facts about the Founding Fathers and sing snatches of patriotic songs while the fireworks burst overhead. The past couple of years, he's really developed a deep interest in American History - particularly The Revolutionary War. He danced off camera, just as I snapped this shot.
Tonight's weren't as long as the ones on the Fourth, but the kids enjoyed them just as thoroughly. My son, is now happily in his room, reading my now very dog eared copy of "The Complete Idiot's Guide To The Revolutionary War." If I listen, I can hear him huming something that sounds very Yankee-doodlish.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Beating The Heat
We've had a heatwave in our neck of the woods for the past three days. So, once the worst of the afternoon was over, I put out the slipNslide for the kids to play on. Jonah was a bit put out by the fact the inflatable end of it was broken. It suffered a blowout the other day and is beyond repair. Still, the slide is fine and so we set it out. Normally, you connect the hose to the slide itself, but I thought it would be more fun to hang it over a tree branch and have it misting down upon the whole thing (rather than weakly squirting from the slide itself).
My 6 year old was ecstatic with the new set up and eagerly encouraged her brother to join in. However, the popped end and the unorthodox setup of the hose, was enough to set Jonah off on a "fixation." He grew grumpier and grumpier by the minute - repeatedly bringing up the fact the the slide was "broken" and therefore unusable. He also continually asked for us to go get a new one (the answer being no).
Seeing where this was going we gave him the choice of either playing on the slide as is, or going inside and missing out on the fun. He sputtered, attempted to bring up the "broken-ness" slide again and even started to get frustratedly tearful. Finally, the grumpy mutterings turned to laughter and a good time was had by all.
Watchdog: Dubious Medicine
A link to the Chicago Tribune's year long series of articles on questionable Autism treatments.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/health/chi-autism-storygallery,0,6581479.storygallery
http://www.chicagotribune.com/health/chi-autism-storygallery,0,6581479.storygallery
First Solo Trip Away From Home
My son is in the Boy Scouts. This coming Sunday, he will be leaving with his pack for a weeks stay in a state park, just over three hours away. This is his first ever trip away from home (other than an overnight at a friend's house). Neither my husband or I will be joining him. My husband will be away for a two week National Guard drill, so that leaves me the solo parent at home, with our other two children.
The adults in the group are aware that he has Aspergers. The kids, some understand and don't think twice about it. Others politely ignore him. Only one, purposely tries to bother him. We've made them all aware of what Asperger's means when it comes to our son and what to keep an eye out for (mostly his wandering attention span).
I know that he and the other boys will be kept busy from the time they wake up till the time they go to sleep with various activities and events. I know that the older Scouts will be acting as mentors to the younger - so there will be additional eyes watching over my son and the other boys. But still, I'm his Mom and I worry:
About bears, bullying and how vigilant the lifeguards are.
Will the other boys include him?
Will anyone be mean to him?
Will he remember to use his bug spray?
Will he lose his flashlight?
Will he behave?
But most of all, will he have fun?
The adults in the group are aware that he has Aspergers. The kids, some understand and don't think twice about it. Others politely ignore him. Only one, purposely tries to bother him. We've made them all aware of what Asperger's means when it comes to our son and what to keep an eye out for (mostly his wandering attention span).
I know that he and the other boys will be kept busy from the time they wake up till the time they go to sleep with various activities and events. I know that the older Scouts will be acting as mentors to the younger - so there will be additional eyes watching over my son and the other boys. But still, I'm his Mom and I worry:
About bears, bullying and how vigilant the lifeguards are.
Will the other boys include him?
Will anyone be mean to him?
Will he remember to use his bug spray?
Will he lose his flashlight?
Will he behave?
But most of all, will he have fun?
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