Love & Autism

     I am writing to express my feelings and desires concerning the belief I have about Autism and people diagnosed with any disability. I have been Blessed in my life with a boy who is now 17 with what doctor's call severe Autism possible Mental Retardation. He is nothing short of a joy in our lives. I would like to explain why I truely believe this and Live a life acting on this blessing. I know , I want my son to say words like, Mom , let's go to the ball park,. He does not always do this,. Often I have to coach his dialog. He, just this month said my name for the first time. He needed help and called out,, Terry ,3 times. What music to my ears. I have spend years working on speach therapy, Occupational therapy, actually if I named all the treatments we have appied, It would take this intire page. What I can say, in shorter words, is this. The one and only treatment that has prevailed above all. is the Acceptance of him for who he is. In other words, when we have let go of the Outcome with what we think he has to achieve.(self'profilled prophecy), Michael makes leaps and bounds . I mean, yes,  we want him to read, but if I make Him read he really doesn't understand why he's reading, other than he's being forcd to do something , he may actually enjoy it, but he still hasn't make the connection why he's doing it. I say, why not celebrate .when the child picks up a book, so big that they see a reason why they want to read . Get down to the childs level and really see what they want, rejoice with what they are doing, even if it's rocking back and forth, spinning toys for hours. Just do it with them in a way that they see how good they are at what they are trying to achieve. With this you will have a child with confidence and self esteem. You will have a child that want's to look you in the eye. Look back at them with a smile. before long , they will want to join you and what you are doing. Then they know why they are doing what is asked for. So many programs I have researched, teach over stimulus and repetitive programs where the children actually do what is taught. They so much want to achieve the goal, The problem is that is all they achieve and often, very fustrated not knowing why they want it. That's because they are being controlled by someone else's idea. It is not their own. The only way anyone (all people) gain success is by the realization that they want it . You can not ask a doctor to fix a tooth, A teacher to fix the roof of a school. So why do we keep asking these children to do something they are not aware of Or even know why.
   I was told my son, with the most sorry look , would be un'helpable. He would never speak , Their was a sense of grieveness in the voices of these doctors as they explained our Life Sentence with this helpless child. I didn't buy it for a minute. Michael is talking, showing growth every day with his own choices. If anyone wants to know more on how to achieve this pl ease e'mail me anytime. P.S. The Autism Treatment Center of America , The Son-Rise Program. in Sheffield Mass. is the answer ; Please feel free to write any time,                  Love Terry ann