A new blog on the block ...
As for autism, I see a lot of stories on the news and online about milestones of people with autism, but none seem to reflect what we go through. It always seems to be the happy-ending stories, the ones who don't seem so severe, that make it on the front page. I hear about the high-functioning kids who are star athletes, beauty pageant winners, artists, and musicians. And there are the adults on the spectrum who become authors, doctors, scientists, and motivational speakers. I'm so happy to hear about the folks who are able to accomplish such amazing things. It gives me hope and inspiration.
Then I think, what about my boy? His story is just as inspiring, isn't it? He might not be one of the above-mentioned, but he is a bright young mind in his own right, like so many other individuals on his level in the spectrum. Let's see:
He speaks in second person ● He's very verbal, but most of his sentences are nonsense until you realize he's speaking in code, which takes some detective work to figure out (pretty cool). When he starts mentioning "baseball," duck and cover ● He's a super speller and reader ● Has a very colorful and broad taste in music, anything from 80's rock to reggae to Bollywood hits to R&B to disco ● He likes to play practical jokes and laugh hysterically ● He says "Hi, mommy, how are you?" seemingly every 10 seconds and expects an answer ● He has phenomenal meltdowns that leave holes in the walls, fallen TVs, broken knick-knacks, and throbbing eardrums from the intensity of his shrieks ● But lately, he's been coming up with his own unique ways of calming himself, an admirable feat, one of which is making up songs about random things and singing in soprano.
The teen years are something I could never have imagined, even with my twisted writer brain. But we survive.
He speaks in second person ● He's very verbal, but most of his sentences are nonsense until you realize he's speaking in code, which takes some detective work to figure out (pretty cool). When he starts mentioning "baseball," duck and cover ● He's a super speller and reader ● Has a very colorful and broad taste in music, anything from 80's rock to reggae to Bollywood hits to R&B to disco ● He likes to play practical jokes and laugh hysterically ● He says "Hi, mommy, how are you?" seemingly every 10 seconds and expects an answer ● He has phenomenal meltdowns that leave holes in the walls, fallen TVs, broken knick-knacks, and throbbing eardrums from the intensity of his shrieks ● But lately, he's been coming up with his own unique ways of calming himself, an admirable feat, one of which is making up songs about random things and singing in soprano.
The teen years are something I could never have imagined, even with my twisted writer brain. But we survive.
The spectrum is a vast expanse of talents and challenges alike, hence why I decided to start a new blog. A writer by trade, words always seem to soothe the savage beast in me (as the old saying goes), whether in the form of musical lyrics, novels, articles, or a blog. This is a place to share what I've learned and what I experience, as well as seek knowledge from others who are living on the same cloud.
I welcome you here because it's nice to connect with people who GET IT.
Today ...
Today's adventure was interesting, as they all are. Just when I think I don't have anything left to learn, he schools me.
I only do fast food once a week, usually on the weekends, because I'm trying to incorporate a more healthy diet for him. Today, I sent my eldest son to pick up the NFL special meal deal at McDonald's, a whole box of food for 15 bucks. Nabeel has always liked their nuggets, so I figured this was a winner. He ate the nuggets and fries, but he didn't seem thrilled at ALL. Post-eating, he started making noises and shaking his head from side-to-side very fast—never a good sign. An hour later, with much hesitation, I took him for his scheduled haircut. On the way, he said, "You want Popeye's?" about three times. Remember, he speaks in second person. That sentence translated means "I want Popeye's." Then it hit me. I neglected to ask him what he wanted for lunch. I just up and decided it would be McDonald's, so he was holding a grudge and being snippy. Ha! Luckily, the haircut went smoothly, but I had to promise he could choose what he wanted for dinner.
Lesson learned. Sometimes I forget he's a 16-year-old young man with opinions, even though he can't express them as freely as the rest of us. I had made this mistake before many times, and believe me, it didn't end well. I should have known, but I'll count my blessings that today was good and remember to let him have a say in the future.
With something as simple as deciding what to eat, it's great to give a choice. There are so many things in his life in which he has no choice like taking his meds, going to school, brushing his teeth, etc. A choice now and then serves to empower in the right way.
Cheers to choices!
Lesson learned. Sometimes I forget he's a 16-year-old young man with opinions, even though he can't express them as freely as the rest of us. I had made this mistake before many times, and believe me, it didn't end well. I should have known, but I'll count my blessings that today was good and remember to let him have a say in the future.
With something as simple as deciding what to eat, it's great to give a choice. There are so many things in his life in which he has no choice like taking his meds, going to school, brushing his teeth, etc. A choice now and then serves to empower in the right way.
Cheers to choices!
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