An Autism Recovery

Improving Reaction Time

Well, this is a funny one. Over the weekend, I worked through several tasks in my 'autism' project. Tasks come and go on this project as I need to research something, post on this blog, make a game out of something to help Logan, or whatever.

Anyway, an old task was 'research improving reaction time' because that is an area that Logan finds challenging. He doesn't particularly like PE at school and a lot of it is because of the fast-moving activity and his relatively slower reaction time.

So I finally got around to doing this research and the first thing on the list was 'play video games'. Which is hilarious because Logan has only recently really gotten into Mario Kart Wii and even more recently has gotten to where he can get around pretty good on the courses without bumping into stuff.

Accidentally on the right track there...serendipity. :-)

Half-Marathon

So Corinne ran the Country Music Half and Logan and I didn't get to the finish line until after she finished. Long story...let's just say that parking is an issue at that race and Logan and I did a lot of walking that day. :-)

Fortunately, Jason with the Autism Society of Middle Tennessee did get a picture of Corinne running and also of some of the volunteers who were at mile six I think.

Thanks, Jason!

 

A Photo Gift

Sherri, a loyal reader, sent this picture along with a short note, saying

"It makes me feel good to give back to people like you who give so much."

Certainly a nice thought, and we love the picture composition.

Alligator Beach

Logan tells about his trip to the zoo and the alligators!

Encouraging Report from our Miss Jennifer

Good morning!
 
Well, we had an awesome day last thursday!  We had Lunch Bunch with Miles and Abbie the new little girl in the class.  He really likes her!  He made me scoot over during Lunch Bunch so he could sit by her, he wanted her to go first in both games we played and walked out to the playground chatting it up with her!  Oh, and one more thing... I called her Abbie and Logan corrected me by saying "She likes to be called Abigail."  During Lunch Bunch he shared interesting things with the group about his trip to the beach.  I made sure the info was different from the info he shared with the entire class!  I must say my favorite has to be "We got a new car at the airport because ours was at the car hotel!"
 
Outside we worked on joining groups...just getting in the door!  A group of boys where looking for caterpillars and naming them, a group of boys and girls played on the monkey bars, a group of boys and girls raced on the tall slides...  Once he was excepted he did well for one exchange.  For example, one race down the slide, one look around for a caterpillar...and then he would hit the road block.  Typically, he didn't know what to say to stay in the group rather or he didn't read the social clues of the children playing the activity.  I would like to contrive the situations on the playground and decrease the demands on him.  Basically, bring the friends to him!  We would play outdoor games I bring and Logan chooses who will play.  This way we can work on the social ques and language without worrying about doing exactly what the group wants to do.  Logan controls what the group is doing but needs to read the social ques and expressively keep them engaged.  What do you think?  I would like to try it again this week. 
 
Also, I am working with another child out your way and thought he would be a great match for Logan socially.  I see him at school; however, this summer I think he would be a great play date! 
 
Jennifer     

Reflection After A Year

Marathon

We had a great time in Arkansas a few weekends ago. You see, I was running a marathon and as one of my girls from PNP put it, “I bet you were more nervous about Logan’s first trip out of town.” She couldn’t have been more right.

It’s funny, the nerves to run a full marathon never really set in and I have Logan to thank for that.

He made my marathon journey so special. He traveled so well and showed off how much he’s blooming. Six months ago we would never have taken him with us. He wouldn’t have had a good time. But, man oh man, he was social, talking, playing, and eating great! Just like his momma he enjoyed the food and ran his mouth A LOT. He enjoyed the kids even though he still doesn’t “play with” them as much. He sure is getting there, though.

The other reason I was thrilled this weekend is he told me he loved me for the first time WITHOUT A PROMPT! It’s a funny story and I wish I had it on video. I did get some video of me trying to “recreate a moment” but here’s what happened beforehand.

I was eating at the table by myself in Mary’s kitchen while everyone was socializing. Logan sits beside me and says, “Momma, I love you.” I said, “Well, Logan I love you too.” I’m trying to keep my cool here since he has never just said it. I really didn’t want to ruin our moment.

Then he looks at me seriously and says, “And, we’re going to talk about it.” I said, “OK.” He goes on and says, “I just started loving you two or three weeks ago.” I just about fell out laughing but kept my cool and said, “Well, I’ve always loved you.” He started to walk off and that’s where this video picks up. At the end his says, “I love you twenty time two.” Don’t ask me why but I’ll take it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pi_PkaYDnQ

All I can say is that this was a weekend I will never forget for many reasons AND probably one of the best ones of my life.

Almost A Year

April 2 is World Autism Day. That is also the very day we started on our own journey with this incredible disease. Our Logan was diagnosed at age five and our story is like so many others. For a few years I “felt” like something was wrong but didn’t know what to do about it. He just seemed to slowly grow into a child unlike his peers and what Mommy wants to face the cold truth their child might have Autism.

Well, let me tell you. Thank goodness we did the testing. The Logan we know today is talkative, fun, exploring, and a joy to be around. We now “know” Logan and a year ago we had trouble really “reaching him.” The things many parents take for granted we are finally experiencing…I love yous, imaginary friends, playing games TOGETHER, and the list goes on and on. Before, it was like Logan lived in his own world and we learned to read clues into what he did in order to “know” him. It’s just so different now.

The road this year was tough and we are lucky…very lucky. Logan’s autism is mild if you can ever say that. But I tell you, the day he was diagnosed my heart broke. It broke into a million pieces. I had to hold it together for him and for our family around us. As his mommy I knew in my heart something wasn’t right so I was prepared. It seemed no one around me was. I felt so alone and isolated because I couldn’t grieve and hold it all together.

Our story that first week was diagnosis on April 2, 2008, fly to New Jersey for a Defeat Autism NOW conference on April 3 to figure out what the heck we should do, and then come home three days later to start arranging help.

I called the Middle Tennessee Autism Society and said we were just diagnosed a few days ago and I don’t even know what I should be asking. Where do I start?

The most gentle woman answered the phone. She listened, looked up phone numbers, and just gave me anything and everything she knew that could help. It was a lot to take in. The world seems so out of control and frantic because every second counts. Although it was overwhelming her kindness made it seem like I could do this. I can get in there and do what needs to be done.

Fast forward a year later. Logan is doing great. Chris has worked tirelessly on biomedical research and such. He’s been heavily engaged with the experiential learning Logan needs. I’ve hauled him from therapy appointments, school, and worked with his ABA. We have a wonderful team that works so hard for him.

This April 25th I am running the Country Music Half Marathon with my dearest and oldest friend Laurie Lee. We’ve decided to run for Autism and raise money for the Middle Tennessee Autism Society. What I have learned through this journey is EXACTLY HOW LUCKY WE ARE because so many kids with this disease cannot afford…

-    The biomedical interventions.
-    The special therapists.
-    The classes and education parents need to help their kids.
-    The diet intervention.
-   
Most or all of this is not covered by insurance. What a shame. Shame on a country that doesn’t help these kids. Did you know that 1 in 150 kids have Autism??

We ask your help in raising money for the Middle Tennessee Autism Society. They do great work for families affected by this terrible disease. They sponsor workshops, have a library of resources at their office, and they work with Vanderbilt to further research and education. Primarily they help families who do not have the same fortune as Chris and I do. EVERY CHILD deserves a chance to be like Logan!

If you would like to donate, please use our Paypal button and whatever is donated to this account Laurie and I will give to the ASMT in Logan’s honor. She and I will be wearing a special marker through the race to raise awareness for the disease, too.

Thank you for your support!

Logan Reads Me A Bedtime Story

We've been rewarding Logan for going to bed "like a big boy" in his own bed, by himself, no extended snuggling with Momma/Daddy, no late night snacks, no watching bowling before bed, etc.

Well recently I needed to get him to bed earlier than usual because we were going to have an earlier than usual start the next day so that I would have time to get him to school and get to the office to prep for an early meeting.

He was a little bit amped up still when he climbed into his bed and I thought he'd be wandering out of his room on his way back downstairs at any moment. So I sat down on the upstairs couch and did some messaging from my phone while I kept watch.

In a moment, his sweet little boy voice came out of his room as he had begun reading his beginning reader story books to himself in his bedroom. He read several of them...he may have read all of them because the next thing I remember was waking up from the couch.

I checked on him and noticed he had put all the books back on the shelf before falling asleep himself. I turned off his lamp, went downstairs, and slept nearly as peacefully as he did the rest of the night.

How To Interrupt

One thing that we're very inconsistent with is teaching Logan the right way to wait for an opening in conversation an to interrupt appropriately. He's had great moments in doing this right, but I think it will  take both of us really being in tune with this on a very consistent basis for him to totally get it.

It's harder than I thought it would be to do this because when he's trying to interrupt at an inappropriate juncture, we have to studiously remain engaged in *our* conversation while simultaneously giving him a signal that he should wait for a better opportunity.

Second nature often takes over and I will just turn toward him and acknowledge what he's saying automatically, breaking my existing conversation in so doing, but more importantly failing Logan in teaching him at that moment the socially acceptable and appropriate way to inject himself into the mix.

I have to find some way to keep this top of mind in the moment...