An indoor swing for my Autistic DGS
06-09-2010, 05:23 PM
#21
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Originally Posted by tweetee
My son has high functioning autism as well he is 8, and it sounds like him and your your young Zach are from the same groove.
You descibe him so well, and I see alot of my son there.
My boy is also incrediby sweet, and comes out with the funniest of things sometimes. He is a real cuddlebum with me, for some some reason cant stand it when anyone else tries to kiss him or cuddle him.
My son is a whizz on the computer, teaches me how to do alot of things on it, and then is sooo proud of himself becasue he can teach something, he goes around telling anyone who will listen what he did. He does have the occasional meltdown, but we always use distraction to try and head it off before it gets that bad. He is in a mainstream school but also has an aide to help him to understand. His writting and spelling is not that good, but he loves to read, and is already reading novels on his own. Typing on the computer he is amazing as well.
I love my boy to bits, and I wouldnt have him any other way. He is very special to me in so many ways, with his quirky behavior, which he amplifies when it makes me laugh. All he seems to want to do when I am around is please me and make me laugh which he strives to do. The best gift I can give him is to laugh at his jokes, or pranks (which he plays on my DH all the time)because it makes him soooo visibly happy. Material things mean nothing to him, but give him a smile and you have just given him the world.
You descibe him so well, and I see alot of my son there.
My boy is also incrediby sweet, and comes out with the funniest of things sometimes. He is a real cuddlebum with me, for some some reason cant stand it when anyone else tries to kiss him or cuddle him.
My son is a whizz on the computer, teaches me how to do alot of things on it, and then is sooo proud of himself becasue he can teach something, he goes around telling anyone who will listen what he did. He does have the occasional meltdown, but we always use distraction to try and head it off before it gets that bad. He is in a mainstream school but also has an aide to help him to understand. His writting and spelling is not that good, but he loves to read, and is already reading novels on his own. Typing on the computer he is amazing as well.
I love my boy to bits, and I wouldnt have him any other way. He is very special to me in so many ways, with his quirky behavior, which he amplifies when it makes me laugh. All he seems to want to do when I am around is please me and make me laugh which he strives to do. The best gift I can give him is to laugh at his jokes, or pranks (which he plays on my DH all the time)because it makes him soooo visibly happy. Material things mean nothing to him, but give him a smile and you have just given him the world.
But I insist he calm himself down and listen to me as to what he got in trouble for. He has to repeat it back to me so I know he understands and hopefully remembers!! LOL
06-09-2010, 06:04 PM
#23
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That is a great idea. My sister got a trampoline for her son who is 14 and has Aspergers. He works off frustration on that thing all the time. He also LOVES cats. He snuggles and snuggles with them all the time. He is such a sweetheart too.
He is obsessive about scabs and picks and picks on them constantly. Do you see that with Autism or Aspergers?
He is obsessive about scabs and picks and picks on them constantly. Do you see that with Autism or Aspergers?
06-09-2010, 06:32 PM
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Originally Posted by MistyMarie
That is a great idea. My sister got a trampoline for her son who is 14 and has Aspergers. He works off frustration on that thing all the time. He also LOVES cats. He snuggles and snuggles with them all the time. He is such a sweetheart too.
He is obsessive about scabs and picks and picks on them constantly. Do you see that with Autism or Aspergers?
He is obsessive about scabs and picks and picks on them constantly. Do you see that with Autism or Aspergers?
Zach's obsessions some of them change over time. The swing is one that has never changed.
06-09-2010, 07:03 PM
#26
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Rhonda, wow, what a great thread for me to stumble across!! My GS Matt is 21. He mostly parrots, is sweet most of the time, but loses his temper when not able to communicate his needs. My DD has recently tried time out...ooo, he doesn't like that and stomps his feet. They live on a houseboat, so the confinement is really an issue. He walks the dog and takes out trash, which is 1/3 of a mile walk each way. I love the swing idea...hmm, maybe she could put one on the dock. Last year my DD decided to learn to sew and quilt. Matt stood over that sewing machine and watched every move we made. After several hours, his Mom said, "Matt, would you like to do this?" He said, "Yes!!" with a big ol' grin. I gave him two pieces of fabric and showed him how to sew a straight line. He sewed five lines, all about 1/2" apart. I asked him did he want to sew more and he said, "No thank you, you're welcome!" and got up just a bouncing with enthusiasm. When I left, he said "Bye Bye, I luv you.." I said, "I love you more", he always finishes with, "I luv you the most!" Every night I pray that his brain will unlock and he will be ok!!
Rhonda, Your Zack is so handsome!
Rhonda, Your Zack is so handsome!
Matt with his Pop Pop
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06-09-2010, 07:39 PM
#27
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Originally Posted by quilting.addict
Rhonda, wow, what a great thread for me to stumble across!! My GS Matt is 21. He mostly parrots, is sweet most of the time, but loses his temper when not able to communicate his needs. My DD has recently tried time out...ooo, he doesn't like that and stomps his feet. They live on a houseboat, so the confinement is really an issue. He walks the dog and takes out trash, which is 1/3 of a mile walk each way. I love the swing idea...hmm, maybe she could put one on the dock. Last year my DD decided to learn to sew and quilt. Matt stood over that sewing machine and watched every move we made. After several hours, his Mom said, "Matt, would you like to do this?" He said, "Yes!!" with a big ol' grin. I gave him two pieces of fabric and showed him how to sew a straight line. He sewed five lines, all about 1/2" apart. I asked him did he want to sew more and he said, "No thank you, you're welcome!" and got up just a bouncing with enthusiasm. When I left, he said "Bye Bye, I luv you.." I said, "I love you more", he always finishes with, "I luv you the most!" Every night I pray that his brain will unlock and he will be ok!!
Rhonda, Your Zack is so handsome!
Rhonda, Your Zack is so handsome!
I can see in your DGS's face and eyes he has a sweet spirit.
We have all had to struggle with the what ifs. Sara went through some soul searching thinking maybe there was something she did wrong but she didn't.
Her DH went through some denial at first and his other grandparents also denied anything was wrong. Sara had an uphill battle to get Zach some help but she has never stopped advocating for him.
We have looked forward and wondered about his future. Sara and Ben realize they may have him home as long as they live. But there is a possibility of him living in an assisted living when he gets to that point. Time will tell.
We just take it one day at a time. Love you DGS as I know you do. He is a blessed young man to have a grandma who loves him and understands his needs!
06-09-2010, 07:49 PM
#28
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Rhonda - we've talked about our DGSs before - and I just posted on Bearisgray's Autism thread, so I won't repeat what I said there other than to say that both of my grandsons are autistic, and they live in VA.
We just found out that our younger grandson (now 9) will probably be moved into the regular high school graduation path (with an aide) instead of the special ed path. That means he will probably be able to go George Mason University which has a department for autistic persons. I know you can identify with my joy!
We just found out that our younger grandson (now 9) will probably be moved into the regular high school graduation path (with an aide) instead of the special ed path. That means he will probably be able to go George Mason University which has a department for autistic persons. I know you can identify with my joy!
06-09-2010, 07:57 PM
#29
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Originally Posted by JoanneS
Rhonda - we've talked about our DGSs before - and I just posted on Bearisgray's Autism thread, so I won't repeat what I said there other than to say that both of my grandsons are autistic, and they live in VA.
We just found out that our younger grandson (now 9) will probably be moved into the regular high school graduation path (with an aide) instead of the special ed path. That means he will probably be able to go George Mason University which has a department for autistic persons. I know you can identify with my joy!
We just found out that our younger grandson (now 9) will probably be moved into the regular high school graduation path (with an aide) instead of the special ed path. That means he will probably be able to go George Mason University which has a department for autistic persons. I know you can identify with my joy!
What good news Joanne!!! I am thrilled for you and your family! It is good that the schools are starting to get behind these kids and providing the education that they deserve!
Sara had a lot of opposition to get the local school to set up things to accomodate Zach's needs but it is still an ongoing struggle at times. They sometimes don't tell her when the aide is going to be gone and they have to keep Zach home when that happens. The teacher had a hard time adjusting her thinking but Sara has dug in and made them listen. She had to get a lady from the state to tell the principal that they had to make the changes before things got changed but it is worth the battle.
I hope things all go well for your DGS!!
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