Archive for July, 2009

Research suggests that the least developed sense for a child with autism is their auditory processing. Therefore, it is imperative when talking, interacting, or communicating with a child on the autism spectrum, that you

1) get his/her full attention
2) make him/her look at you
3) and that you speak clearly, without idioms, and without a lot of words.

For example, don’t say “you’d better get in that seat.” Say, “sit”, or “sit down”, or “sit in the chair.” Keep it short, sweet, and clear.

Well goody for me! Went to the cardiologist yesterday, and he decided to put me on this portable heart monitor for 24 hours.
For anybody who’s never worn one – it’s not fun. The adhesive from the leads is driving me nuts, I have to remember to take this darn box around with me, have to write down every single ‘episode’, etc etc etc.

I can’t wait to get this thing off.

My apologies in advance to my southern friends….. No offense intented….. I am from the south…..

– If it can’t be fried in bacon grease, it ain’t worth eating.

– If you run your car into a ditch, don’t panic. Four men in the cab of a four-wheel-drive truck with a 12-pack of beer and a tow chain will be along shortly. Don’t try to help, just stay out of their way — this is what they live for.

– Don’t be surprised to find boiled peanuts, movie rentals and fishing bait in the same store.

– Remember: “Y’all” is singular. “All y’all” is plural. “All y’all’s” is plural possessive.

– Don’t be worried that you don’t understand anyone. They don’t understand you either.

– If you hear a Southerner exclaim, “Hey, y’all, watch this!” — stay out of his way. These are likely the last words he will ever say.

– If you see a turn signal blinking on a car with a southern license plate, you may rest assured that it was on when the car was purchased.

– Satellite dishes are very popular in the South. They are to be positioned directly in front of one’s trailer, since it cost considerably more than the trailer and should, therefore, be displayed.

– As you are cursing the person driving 15 mph in a 55 mph zone, directly in the middle of the road, remember: many Southerners learned to drive on a John Deere, and this is the proper speed and lane position for that vehicle.

– You can ask a Southerner for directions, but unless you already know the positions of key hills, trees, rocks, and barns, you’re better off trying to find it yourself.

We took our tour of the Rich Center for Autism, and found it to be a delightful, well-equipped place, withwell-trained staff, and wonderful services that JJ would no doubt more than benefit from. But he did not like it at all.

I liked it fine, but you know when you just know that something is not right for you, or in this case, for your child. Well, that’s how I feel about this. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with this school, but I don’t feel like it’s the right “fit” for us.

So we talked to JJ’s case manager, and she’s going to see if she can round up all of the services that are provided at the Rich Center. He’ll have to get them after school most of the time, but that’s ok because he’ll be able to stay at his current school, Summit Academy, which he really likes. He gets OT there, as well as Therapautic Martial Arts which he also really likes.

Whew, I’m glad that’s settled.