A Dream Come True

I planned a Mario themed party for Jonathan at our house. I was concerned because we had very few RSVP's, but 9 children came, along with many adults. It was perfect. Jonathan was awesome! He never got too wound up. Played well with his friends. Appreciated his gifts and givers. Listened well to my directives.

Sitting here very sore and tired (gee...this getting old ain't no fun!) I am reflecting on the days I prayed my son could just play with another child. Just interact. Just talk with. Just look at. Just say, "Mom look at me".

He may still occasionally have some behavior issues at school, but he is happy. He honestly loves his friends. He plays and has relationships! He is kind and gentle with those who are fragile (one little boy, the brother of his best friend, recently had surgery to correct some problems with his legs. He was here tonight, and I noticed Jonathan showing compassion with him.) He can love and give hugs.

I AM SO VERY BLESSED.

I write this with tears streaming down my face.

Realizing how much God has given me.

How His hand has touched my precious boy's life.

At one point in his life, Jonathan knew nothing of the joy of having a friend. He honestly had no desire to interact with people. Now he thrives on it. What more could I possibly ask for?

Several years ago I had this very dream for my son. I envisioned him playing like the other children. I asked the Lord to help my son enjoy friendships and learn that people are valuable. And I am amazed...because I SAW my dream come alive yesterday. Amazed how God's grace touches our lives in so many ways.

I will forever be grateful and

Donna

You've Got to be Kidding!

Yesterday was a whirlwind. No, actually more like a Tsunami.

A few years ago, my son could not leave the watchful eye of an adult for even a minute. You never knew what he might do! Would you believe?

• Climb to the to of the refrigerator to get to the cookie jar? (18 months old)
  
• Leave his bedroom to roam the neighborhood at 2:00 AM? (at 2 years old!)
  
• Attempting to cut the cat's tail off so it would look like the manx kitten he petted earlier in the day?
  
• Line up 100 VHS tapes like a roadway through the house in ALPHABETICAL order (at 4 years old!)?
• Escape over the ledge of an indoor play area at a mall to run barefoot to Sears? (When Dad found him, he was waving, going up an escalator.)

These are just a few of the *joys* we've experienced since our son was born.

However, in the past few years, he's matured. I can let him play downstairs while I cook dinner. He will be content playing with Legos, or on the Computer or Wii.

Yesterday, however...he reverted back to the days of needing to be jailed WHOOPS, I mean gated in his room.

In 2 short hours of being home from school he was able to:

• fill the Downy Ball with soap
• try to use the back of the recliner as a balance beam
• eat string from his pocket as a between meal snack
• purchase something on ebay (I left the browser opened, with my sign-in info filled in)
• And scale to new heights, reaching an RC heliocopter on he top shelf of a 7 foot tall bookcase.

The last item on my list was the last straw. HOW DID HE MANAGE TO GET TO THE TOP SHELF OF A 7 FOOT BOOKCASE?

So as I was in the height of my frustration, I asked, "Did you climb it?"

Looking horrified, he replied, "NO! That's dangerous Mom!"

"Well, how DID you get it?"

"Oh, that's easy...see, I climbed up on the chair with the wheels in your office, rolled over to the door between the office and the den. Then I grabbed onto the top of the door of the Den, pushed off the rolly chair so I could swing the door over. I scaled the door to get the the end, then holding on the top of the door with one hand, I balanced on the door knob, and I reached the heliocopter, and jumped down!"

"And you think that is safe?"

"I didn't get hurt. Maybe I'm a super-hero in training or something."

Was it a full moon? Did he drink a Coke? Eat some cheese?
Take too many vitamins?

A few years ago I wanted to send an idea to Little Tikes. You know, the people that make the wonderful children's playhouses and climbing gyms. I was thinking there may be huge market for a Little Tikes Jail, where only Mom holds the key. Perhaps I should have followed through. Might have a pretty good bank account by now, not to mention a break once in a while.

Lest I get angry mail...
I'M JUST TEASING about the jail.
And you all know I love my son mega much. There are just those days, and yesterday was one of them!

Needless to say I am



Donna

A Dozen Thoughts - What Every Parent of an ASD Child Wish the Teacher Knew

1) It is never a shock that my child has behavior issues. I live with him. I know.

2) Tell me 2 good things about my child when you have to tell me something bad. Think of it as a sandwich. Good/Bad/Good.

3) Let me know you like my child.

4) Realize that I often feel guilty that he is in your class, because I know he takes up so much more of your time and effort than typical children do.

5) Even though my child has non-compliance issues, I am not a wimpy parent. I work harder, correct more, brainstorm more, set up reward programs, try to be diligently consistent, read more, worry more than parents of typical children.

6) Include me in on decisions about my child.

7) Ask me what works at home.

8) Try to go easy on the homework. We have enough struggles around here! Understand, if you assign homework we may or may not be able to get it done.

9) If my son says the tag in his shirt bothers him, cut it out, you totally have my permission. If you don't cut it out, plan on a bad day.

10) Remember that my child is a few years behind socially and emotionally. He may need help remembering to bring home jackets and lunch boxes. I have extras, but when they start to pile up at school, send them home.

11) Try to use my child's strengths in the classroom if you can. It will make his self-esteem soar.

12) Applaud me for getting him to school on time. You have no idea...

I am...

Donna