teens with autism – Page 5

Follow Up On Nicholas: A Good Week

I went to the school psychologist to follow up on the Best Buddy program. Nothing has been done. The psychologist said he did ask about it, but I have to fill out the application online. I asked if I could print out the application and give it to the program coordinator since I was there on campus. The answer was NO.

I have a problem with filling out information about my boys online. I don’t know where this information is going. This is private information, and I don’t want their identity compromised.

In the past couple of months I’ve already received solicitation calls for my two teens with autism. These are calls regarding college and taking the PSAT or SAT. I’ve asked these callers where they are getting my sons’ information from, and they refuse to tell me.

I conveyed this to the psychologist who said that is illegal. These callers must identify where they are getting the information. That doesn’t do me any good, and it only makes me more cautious as to filling out forms online.

We are at a stalemate.

The good side is that Nick seems to be holding his own for now. He’s talking a bit better. He seems more stable emotionally. So we continue to take one day at a time.

Fun and Frivolous Results

Last Saturday morning, as the boys were getting breakfast fare out, I told them that they needed to serve cake first. Their reactions were quite different from what I expected. Ryan’s eyes opened wide in disbelief. Cam paused for the brief moment and then wrapped his arms around me and said, “I love you, Mom.” Nick observed his brothers in silence and moved the cake to the table.

I expected the boys to be surprised; I also expected some confusion or hesitation. Usually, my kids follow a black and white mode. The schedule. They don’t vary much. I really thought I’d cause a commotion. Nope. They rode the strange tide as if they were used to unpredictable situations.

Breakfast started off with cake followed by fruit, muffins, and turkey. Lunch was left overs. They had already guessed that eggs would be a part of dinner. Of course, they wanted another round of dessert.

So my teens with autism are showing flexibility and adaptability!

Amazed and Thankful

Both Ryan and Nick went to the Homecoming Dance, and they both had fun. I am amazed that they wanted to go. I am thankful that they could go together with friends. They are still quite shy and quiet in most circumstances, yet they are courageous enough to keep trying. I wonder how many times they felt like quitting. I have often thought of the kids who walk away because they don’t understand my boys. Then I think of my boys and how they felt when left alone.

I can’t get into their brains. I have asked how they think or what they think. Quite often, they can’t express their thoughts.

I remember when Ryan was four years old, and he couldn’t talk. He couldn’t say, “I love you.” He didn’t want to be hugged or touched. The walls in my house had dents from him leaning back to avoid hugs. At that time I had no idea he had sensory issues.

When Nick was two, he could say, “I love you,” but it was one word at a time with long pauses between the words. “I”… “love”… “you”. He had not progressed at all when he turned three.

Now I see them interacting with peers. Many classmates are patient with Nick and Ryan; many are not. I still can’t help but be amazed and encouraged by my own kids–teens with autism–not giving up.

I am very thankful for my heroes.