Autism is not what the public perceives
Jan 29 '00 (Updated Apr 07 '00)
I am the mother of two preschoolers both with autism. My oldest is what is called high functioning and his difficulties are mainly in social situations and his attachments to animals.
I describe him as the next Jack Hanna. He receives speech therapy once a week and the therapist is teaching him about on and in and under. He is learning to count to 15. We are trying to be kindergarten ready and he will be continuing with special education. It is my hope that by second grade he could be mainstreamed with regular kids.
My youngest son is three and a half and he is non verbal, very vocal and described as the next Carl Lewis (olympic runner). He wears a weighted vest in school for 25 minutes per day and receives occupational therapy which is for sensory integration at school one time a week for forty five minutes and in the hospital two times a week.
They both receive through the hospital pool therapy with the therapists, and like the water. They both have established relationships with the therapists and different friendships at the school.
Nicholas is the class favorite of all the teachers and Matthew is learning the routines.
Routines are very important in the autism world for the children. My children have various mannerisms to help calm them down. They also are unique and one of a kind and have taught me a great deal about special needs. I grew up with a sister who is handicapped and this just seems like a normal family to me.
I am trying to help promote Autism Awareness and the month for this is April and there is the first ever Autism Rally in Washington DC this April 8, 2000. Every day I make another autism connection and it is starting to make the public more aware of what it entails.
Without autism I would not know the word IEP, or sensory integration and many more things. I now know the difference between a jackal and hyena. The decorating theme of our house is all animals, bear pillows and blanket and lamp in the living room. The bedding is elephants. The pictures on the walls are of horses. We watch rodeos and horse racings on sports channels and are starting with music therapy.
Life is not very different in our house than many others, it is just how you look at it and accept it. There is a wonderful story about Welcome to Holland (the link is on my profile page) and that is where I am. I always wanted to go to Monte Carlo but I am no longer a gambler. I got my prize with my two boys.
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