hide-n-(sensory)-seeking

Here is how to turn a child's perspective from I can't  to I can! While children and adults on the Autism Spectrum certainly need solid and as wide as possible "I can" networks, it's important to remember that every  child and even adults need to be encouraged, sometimes even nudged a bit toward a spirit of capability. Never underestimate the value that your skills, wisdom, or talents can bring to another person's journey or experience. And yes, you have something  to offer. It's usually the simple things that are the most memorable and often make the biggest difference. And our time and attention are two of the most precious gifts we can ever give another person.  Can you become another thread in someone else's support web? Can you play a few games with a child to help them practice taking turns and see someone modeling good sportsmanship? Do you know how to cook or bake? Sew? Oil a bike chain? Enjoy animals? Hiking? Changing...

A year ago I sat in my living room with a team from Early Intervention trying to explain my concerns for my then 18-month old. One of the things I expressed several times was that I was especially concerned about her regular disinterest in play. They seemed to not quite understand what I meant. Especially since she seemed plenty interested, even borderline obsessive about a couple of the toys they had brought to use in their analysis. It was challenging for me to explain. It still is. As an infant, she had intense interest in only about three particular toys, for months. After that, she had no interest in playing with toys at all. The only things she would hold, examine, and of course chew on were not technically toys. They were usually household items, and her favorites were the metal lids from jars (the start of her love for circles?), her baby hair brush, and toilet paper rolls. This is not surprising to me now that I better understand her sensory seeking tendencies. The metal...

I've been researching a lot of information on depression and depression treatment. I've been struggling with this condition to greater or lesser degrees my entire adult life. The trench that I have been in recently however has depleted me and drained me and wrapped so much tighter around me than ever before though. And I recognized that this time I need more assistance to climb back up out of the void. I have begun a treatment plan that is constructed of several parts. The first is re-strengthening my spiritual routine. Regular study, prayer, Family Worship, and reading God's Word together as a family are our priorities. So is being at as many weekly Congregation Meetings as we can. Another part involves working with a therapist. This is the first time that I am working with one. I am ambivalent, but my family needs me to be able and present and vital, and I want to be those things for them and for myself, so I'm willing. The other major part involves impl...

Obviously, I've been sort of absent here the last few weeks. Sorry about that. I would much have preferred that the reason for my neglect was due to a long, quiet, and peaceful spa vacation...but, no. I wasn't anywhere exotic, peaceful, or quiet. Except for when I was at Symphony. While not exactly exotic or quiet, it was definitely a treasured respite! And our concert was the most fun so far! Otherwise, I've been here, sort of. Dumping what little energy I could manage to muster into finding a way back to where I really want to be. Back to me, and my family. To energy, vitality, and being able to fully function again. It's a dig I've made before, several times in fact, but this time has definitely been deeper, darker, and more disabling than ever. I really don't like the term Depression. In the clinical sense. As in the name of this condition which an ever rising portion of the world's population is suffering from. The word depres...

I love Jacob's story, not just because he is amazing and appreciates his autism, but because his parents didn't try to change him to fit their ideas of who he should be. They took notice of what engaged him and embraced it, using his interests to connect with him, and allow him to feel safe and confident in himself. I admire them for this. And this is the gift we try to give our kids. Acceptance and complete support. My son has not displayed a genius talent for math or astrophysics, nor do I have any expectation that he will. But when I watched Jacob for the first time, I was almost unsettled at how many similarities I observed between him and Zak. Then it made me smile a lot, and cry a little, because I felt reaffirmation that we are on the right track as a family. While their passions are focused on different things, the excitement with which they both talk about what they love is so similar. The knowledge and interests ahead of their years paired with such innoc...

Here's part two of your weekend homework. :) The first video has some amazing facts about the origin of public school and why this model is absolutely ineffective and actually harmful for today's and tomorrow's students. The second is from the perspective of a young person whose parents chose to pull him from public school and how he feels about it. Not all families in our modern age can logistically homeschool.  Some simply must have both parents working. Some are single parent families whose jobs and life circumstances simply do not allow room for it. Some families have illness or other obstacles. That is why I, and so many others, feel like the modern education model in public schools should be based on modern needs. School is not the devil necessarily. But the majority of young people exiting these institutions have not been given an education that equips them to deal with modern life. And college is not doing substantially better in that department eith...

Here's part one of your weekend homework! :) These following Ted Talks are presented by Sir Ken Robinson. For over seven years he has been considered an authority on Education Reform. Unfortunately, not enough people in positions of authority are willing to actually implement real reform. Some of you may have already seen these, but they are certainly worth the hour for all three.