A very nice lady, with the initials S.N. gave Mama a book called '10 Things Every Child With Autism Wishes You Knew' by Ellen Notbohm. By now, some of my extended family have read it too and found it very helpful.
I would like to tell you 10 things about me:
1. I am me. I have my own personality, autism is part of me but does not define me. I have likes and dislikes, strengths and weaknesses, just as you do.
2. I have a great sense of humour. Yes, it is hilarious when I break wind, just like it is for all males.
3. I am a very gentle and affectionate child, I love hugs and kisses.
4. When you meet me please do not force me to interact with you. Say hello and give me space. You are new, I need time to adjust and get used to your voice, your perfume/aftershave and other things you won't even have thought of or notice. Please do not take this personally. I will approach you when I am ready, I am worth waiting for.
5. I cannot talk yet, I only have a few words. I am able to communicate in other ways though, watch me and you will see this.
6. Believe my parents or my big brother if they tell you something about me. They know me better than anyone else in the whole wide world. They are used to my ways and understand me. If they tell you I am tired then I am tired. They are my voice until I find my own voice.
7. The world can be a very confusing place for me. I get scared a lot. When I get scared I might have a tantrum, that is how I communicate my fear. Or I might hide in my Mamas' arms, or run away.
8. When I do have a tantrum it might just be because I am 2.5 years old and frustrated, the same way any toddler can be. Or it might be because I am overloaded with information and can't cope. It is not because I am naughty or spoiled.
9. It is up to you, as an adult, to learn to accommodate my ways until I learn new ways. You also need to make allowances for my fears until I learn to overcome them. You can help me by being patient and understanding.
10. I am not 'slow'. I need to learn differently than you do but I am bright and enthusiastic about my learning. I am not a genius either, like you I find some aspects of learning easier than others. (Oh, and I love my tutor).
Oh, how embarrassing, Mama is trying to interfere with this post and get me to tell you more about how wonderful and gorgeous I am *stop it mama, go and write your own list.............. oh, ok, ok*
Mama says 'Hi'!
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41 comments:
Thank you. THANK YOU for writing this! It is wonderfully accurate for my lil Max as well. :) I'm off to see about ordering that book now...
This is a lovely post. I'll admit I don't really know much about autism but I shall enjoy reading your blog and learning more. HRH sounds like a lovely boy and he obviously has a really supportive family around him.
How perfectly he told us everything! It's true that his parents and bid brother know him best and that they are his voice til he finds his own. It's great fun hearing his, esp when he's going down his new slide :)
A great educational blog too. Well done.
Olivia
That's just a wonderful, beautifully written and honest post. Well done Jen (oops sorry wrong person), HRH! It's brilliant
Laughed at breaking wind, but very very true! I like how this was presented, seems so simple when it is said like this but in a busy world the simple things are often missed.
Aww would love to meet him (and you!) one day! Such a great post! He put alot of thought into it! ;) xx
Thanks big boy! You tell your mom that we can all see what a hearbreaker you are! Jen, you should totally get this out to EVERYONE out in bloggie land!
You could be writing about my son! He too is very affectionate. In fact, when he does get attached to someone he is overly so. I think in a weird way that's why people love him :)
Excellent HRH, I had a little boy just like you once, he is 11 now and has found his voice, Love this cos it all sounds soooo familiar
I just love it! you have put such a smile on my face jen, thank you
xx
having worked for 4 years in a secondary school where the majority of pupils were on the autistic spectrum it really opened my eyes to children like yourself. I hope that the rest of your family can help you make your own way in the world xx
What a lovely post. So nice to hear from you HRH and thanks for sharing.
Great blog HRH, my 2.5 year old sounds just like you!! No 4 is a big one for my little man to..
xx
Oh this is adorable Jen... how well you know him.
This is such a great idea for a post! I love the idea of highlighting children and showing their differences instead of trying to lump them all under the "autism umbrella" which is so often done, and every time is inaccurate and unfair.
Great post. I think many of these are applicable to all kids really, though of course especially to kids with autism. Number 4 is completely applicable to my daughter (who is not to my knowledge autistic), since she does not warm immediately to strangers and cannot be forced to interact if she doesn't want to. thanks for sharing the list.
That's just beautiful! Great post, very well written!
fiona2107
Lovely Jen, really heart-warming :D
brill post...you have an excellent turn of phrase HRH.
This is a list that could be pasted to fridge doors and notice boards all over the country to educate people....really valuable writing!
XXX
p.s why do boys relish their farts so much (sez me who lives with 3 of 'em)????????
Well said xxx
Beautifully put HRH and so important for people to know.
Fab post from HRH and so articulate too. Great things to know.
Great post, Jen, and so true. It's only now that my boy is 13 that he can start to tell us (sometimes) about how he's feeling. And trying to keep his cool, especially post-meltdown, is hard when he wants the world to think he's just like everyone else.
Beautifull post xx
Thank you all, so much, for your comments. I love hearing from you:) Jen.
brilliant post - thank you
well done HRH - you're a credit to your mama and you obviously get your writing skills from her :) Can't wait to meet you one day
Fabulous Jen....well done. I remember photocopying something similar (but not as cleverly written!) when we were newly diagnosed and passing it out to the in-laws. My family didn't need it;-) It worked...... for a while.
Sadly, some people cannot be told and will always see the "bold child", but by doing this you know you've done your bit to explain and you can honestly, and with your head held high say: "Sod 'em"!! xx Jazzy
Thank you Jen for educating me so much about autism, I really knew so little (mainly just stereotypes) before I discovered your blog. HRH is gorgeous and he's very good a writing on your blog! x
Fab post and funny, perceptive too
Simple, astute, brilliant.
Thank you for sharing x
Such a lovely post, it's left me with a big smile on my face. x
well done hrh and jen
i love that book and i refer to it a lot, lovely post guys xx
Visiting from Four Plus an Angel. Enjoyed your post, having a granddaughter with autism, I loved your top ten list, good job!
that's a lovely post. They are personal, but at the same time I think those things apply to all 2.5 year olds too. Nicely done HRH ;) x
That is such a wonderful post. Spot on. Thank you!
A wonderful post indeed. I can see why it's your fave from last year! Can't wait to see what you come up with in 2011. Thanks for rewinding at the Fibro! :-)
Great post, I don't know much (anything really) about autism but this is really helpful and very well written :)
Hope to learn more about autism now.
Thank you for the insight. A great post!
Lovely post Jen! x
That's wonderful post, I will be buying that book
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