Category: Autism

Autism, Third Wheels, and a Hammerhead Tadpole Trike

As we researched autism and all of the senses the condition affects, we discovered that to Scott — to his brain’s situational awareness in the world where all of his senses come in unfiltered and out of sync — his perception is that his life did depend on him clinging to me. Much like vertigo can attack someone with a fear of heights, as soon as those wheels wobbled even fractionally on his bike, his brain immediately told him that his life was in peril. No amount of encouragement could redirect him long enough to focus on his other senses and control the bike.

To our little third wheel, he felt like he was drowning while fleeing from a shark.

Autism: Boys of Summer

Yesterday, we packed up the boys up to go sign up for baseball. On the way there, Gregg told me that he felt like we should let Scott sign up for a regular team. His reasoning was that he doesn’t want to apply limits that may not be necessary to apply. He said he would rather give him an opportunity to play a regular team and if he fails, move him to the special needs team.

Autism: The Accountant

Gregg and I watched The Accountant the other night. Going into it, I didn’t know what it was about. I mean, I’m all about campy action movies, Ben Affleck is on the movie poster holding a sniper rifle. Gregg had already cleared it through PluggedIn to make sure that nothing in it went against our viewing standards. I’m in. I don’t necessarily need to know anything more.

Autism: Things Are Not Always As They Appear

I surveyed the room, people watching as I tend to do. I took this picture, understanding the emotional reaction people would have to it. When I showed it to my mom, she did the same thing I imagine most of you are doing – gasping and saying, “That’s so sad.”

Autism: There’s Something To Be Said About Community

For the first time ever, I sat at a party surrounded by complete strangers and completely relaxed. I didn’t worry that Scott would say something completely off-base, possibly even insulting, to one of the adults. I knew if he did, they’d get that it is just a black-and-white boy with no filter. I didn’t worry that he didn’t want to take part in any of the party activities and how the other kids or parents would think he was “weird”. He was absolutely and totally accepted when he walked into that house and nothing he said, did, or didn’t do would be taken in a negative light.

Autism: Parenting “Failures” and Celebrating Milestones

I’ll be honest and tell you that this is an area I actually felt like I’d failed in. The older he got and the longer he went without being able to tie, the more I wonder if not forcing the issue would hurt him in the long run.