Lots Of Changes

Lots of changes going on in the Jones household.  We had a meeting last week with the school officials and decided that the best thing for Sammy would be to change schools.  He wasn't thriving at his old school and he had become a totally different child.  He had become fearful, full of anxiety and his stomach was a mess.  After finding out some not so pleasant things that his teacher was doing it really shed some light on why Sammy had drastically regressed.  We loved the school he was in and we fought so hard to get him in there,  but once we found out what was going on behind closed doors we were livid to say the least.
We were nervous about transitioning him to another school because he doesn't like change but we took him in one day last week to meet his teachers and to tour the school and he LOVED it.  He was so excited and he and his resource teacher clicked as did he and his regular teacher.  He wasn't scared and he talked to all the adults and it was a great experience.  His first day at his new school was approached with caution but he did amazing.  He freely spoke to the other children and was so excited and happy to be there.  We knew we had made the right choice and emotionally he is doing much much better.  He's coming home happy and full of smiles,  his stomach is feeling better and he isn't full of anxiety and dread.  His teachers are wonderful and so hands on.  He even asked me yesterday if I could drop him off in the carpool line instead of walking him in.  That is HUGE for him and I was a little sad that he did it without me but I knew what a big step that was and I was okay with it.  Kids need their independence and need to know that they can do things without mom and dad sometimes. 

The other big change in our lives is that we are moving in November.  We have talked to Sammy a lot about us moving and how we won't be living in this house anymore.  So far he seems excited and can't wait to see our new place.  He and his sister were so excited to find out we would have a pool because they both LOVE to swim.  It's a lot changes at once and there are other changes going on but nothing I can discuss right now because things have to be hush hush for the time being but everything is really starting to look up.  It's definitely going to be a new adventure for us.  I think Sammy will adjust well and  he's already shown so much resilience the past few months.  It's amazing how a change in atmosphere can affect a person and Sammy has shown that in the right environment with the right teachers he can thrive and do amazing things.  I hate that one bad apple teacher set him back but I think he'll bounce back quickly. 

Taking Things Literally

My husband and I have found ourselves drawn to a show called Alphas.  One of the main characters has High Functioning Autism and reminds me quite a bit of Sammy in the sense that he takes everything literally.  
Sammy takes everything you say literally so it's hard to joke with him or just use common phrases.  If I'm busy with his sister and he needs something I use to say, "in a minute".  Well when you say, "in a minute"  Sammy literally thinks it's one minute and the count down begins.  If you say, "give me a few minutes" he understands it's going to be a short time but he still wants to attach minutes to it and needs a time frame.  It can be frustrating sometimes and I have to remind myself that it isn't his fault.

I also love the show, "Big Bang Theory" and often find similarities between Sammy and one of the main characters named Sheldon.  Sheldon often doesn't get jokes or sarcasm and that reminds me so much of Sammy.  Sometimes we can be joking about something and he'll get a serious look on his face and say, "you're just joking aren't you".  He does say silly things and joke but it's not quite in the same manner that most kids do it.  Sometimes in the mornings when we are getting for school he'll act silly and put his underwear on his head and run around acting all crazy.  I'll say, "okay Sammy quit playing around it's time to get ready".  In his mind he thinks I'm saying that he can't play anymore and he gets upset.  Sometimes we really have to think about how we word things because quick things said in passing  linger in his mind and he's very one track minded.  He gets focused on something and it consumes him until he's figured it out or has become fixated on something else. 
There is no in between with Sammy,  either it's black or it's white and if he thinks he's right he will debate with you until you prove him wrong or vice versa.

I'm very bad about using the phrase, " It's the same difference" and that really trips him up.  He can't grasp how it can be the same but different so he wants you to explain the logic of that to him.   I was thinking the other day about a joke I told the kids and Sammy just looked at me so bewildered, like what I just said was so absurd but his 2 year old sister found it hysterical.  Jokes are something that he doesn't always get.  What's funny to most kids isn't always funny to him but what IS funny to him is writing a letter or number upside down and pretending like it's right, or laughing and saying that the Earth doesn't have a core lol.  Those are the types of things he finds humor in.  In his mind everything has a purpose and everything has a reason and you don't do something just to do it.  It can frustrating sometimes having to explain every little thing to him.  The other day I was heading into the kitchen and told Sammy that I was thirsty.  He asked me WHY I was thirsty and  I told him I didn't know but I just was.  He got flustered and said, "YES YOU DO KNOW". If you don't give a reason for things he thinks you're holding out information and he gets agitated.  I know the time is here for outside therapy so we are looking into that.  Joe's insurance covers anything that deals with Autism 100% but none of the therapists around our area takes insurance so that majorly sucks for us because now we have to pay it out of pocket which can get expensive.  We are planning to move in a few months so that we can focus more on paying for therapy and not have to keep dropping cash into this money pit house we live in.  I think it'll be better all the way around for our entire family.  We just have to keep doing what we think is best for our kids.

Looking Beyond The Autism

Last weekend was the S.E.A Beyond Tomorrow Fundraiser and they had a great turn out.  I was able to sell some of my handmade boutique style hair bows to help raise money for the cause and it was a very enjoyable evening.  Angela Collier did a phenomenal job of putting this event together and she truly is an amazing person for all she does in the Autism community.
The band was awesome but what was most impressive was the talent that these young adults have.  Everything from playing the violin to painting.  I wish I had half the talent that some of these kids have.  Seeing some of the paintings were just mind blowing.  So many people think that children and adults on the spectrum are weird, and couldn't possibly have anything useful to contribute to society but nothing could be further from the truth.


Yeah, those on the spectrum may not get social ques, seem quirky or even odd to those who don't understand but ya know,  their intellect and talent more than make up for that.  Autism isn't a handicap,  it's just individuals who think, learn and see things differently than the rest of us and we can learn so much from them.  Sammy can look at things and almost immediately find something in what he's looking at that will resemble a number to him.  Sometimes it's harder for me to find the number in what he sees but he can point it out instantly and he thinks I'm the odd one for not seeing it quicker lol.  
It's so funny how people think that those on the spectrum are, "odd" but to the people on the spectrum it's those other people who are odd.  The people who can't see things the way they do.  They can see beauty in something that you and I might not be able to see beauty in.  It's always amazing how those on the spectrum can find inspiration in the things that most people would find uninspiring.   

I've seen so many people look at someone on the spectrum and make comments about how, "weird" or "off" they seem.   When you have a child or someone close to you on the spectrum you don't look at people like that.  When I was at the fundraiser I didn't see anyone odd, different, or weird.  I saw brilliant, talented, kind, helpful young adults who have TONS of great things to offer to this world.  There is nothing wrong with individuals who learn, think, feel, and see things differently than the majority of people out there.   Seeing those young adults at the fundraiser gave me hope for Sammy as he gets older.  It was helpful to me to see teenagers on the spectrum because I've only been exposed to young children on the spectrum so it gave me a little insight into the future with Sammy.  I know it's going to be a hard road with Sammy and I know we will have harder obstacles and challenges to face as he gets older.  This new school year has already proven to be challenging but I know we will be okay.

High Functioning Autism Video

Found this great video on Youtube and wanted to share