A friend was
bringing her son with her and I was more than happy to have him come and hang
out with Josh. However, he is 4 years younger and not very verbal. Not a
problem… Josh and I spoke about how the
little boy has autism too, but he may not answer back when spoken to. Josh replied
“That’s alright mommy I remember learning about the different kinds of autism.
Remember we watched a video about it?” I love when he remembers important
information like that!
Personally I
think it’s extremely important for kids on the spectrum to know their diagnosis
and to understand it the best they can. Since eight years old Josh has know he
has something called aspergers/autism. He didn’t know what that was but by just
introducing these words to him was a start. As the years go by he becomes more
aware and is able to comprehend more on this subject and how it pertains to him.
As he learns more about this disorder he also learns, and understands, that
some things like obsessions are out of his control. He no longer blames himself
or calls himself stupid for seeing the world differently. He understands it’s
the disorder not him… His brain is wired differently. He gets that.
It was great
to watch him in action with this little boy too. He was able to put aside what
he really wanted to do, play Xbox, and instead he kept the little boy occupied.
Not a hard thing to do since the young man has just discovered Lego’s and we have
LOADS of them in the play room. That, with a Toy Story movie marathon running
in the background He was all set! It was a very proud moment for me. Just
watching him put aside his obsessions/preoccupations to help another, younger
child with autism, showed me how much he is growing up and understands! J
I’m
beginning to realize the importance of those on the spectrum, especially a high
functioning autistic like Josh, becoming well educated on all the autism
spectrum disorders. And as Josh’s mom I take educating him on this a very
serious responsibility. Being well informed will not only allow him to continue
on through life as his own best advocate, but he will hopefully be quick to
stand up and advocate for another on the spectrum who may be having a harder
time finding his/her voice to do so themselves.
At the end
of the evening, when all was quiet, I noticed Josh stimming quite a bit.
Running up and down the hall and humming mostly. I tried to get him to go to
bed but he said, “I’ve been thinking about Xbox all night and I can’t go to
sleep until I finish thinking through the next level of my video game.” He also
said, “I really liked playing with the little boy tonight. It was a lot of hard
work though! He didn’t talk that much but somehow I think I knew what he wanted
to do. It sure is hard watching after a kid with autism!” He seriously said that,
and thanks for noticing buddy!!!
About an
hour or so later he was FINALLY asleep! Not much rest though; up at 6:00 a.m.
ready to begin the new level of that Xbox game he had been obsessing about the
night before. And so began another “typical” Saturday in our house…
too cute! What a sweetheart! U should def be a proud momma <3
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