Month: April 2020

Sending this to the universe so that I can focus on my next meeting.

Our autism journey has been super adventurous,complex,simple,lonely, crowded….it has been a mixture of positive and negative emotions.  However, I was always at peace because I know that I do have PhD in Samuel’s  autism (if that makes sense).  I know how to work with Samuel.  I know how to get his best out of him.  I know how to fight for Samuel.  I know Samuel more than I know myself.

Today, we got two new diagnosis…..one was a surprise while the other was really known to me. 

I just need to drop this here with the associated emotions so that I can focus on my work meeting.  I can’t wait for the time to cry (this is required for my mental health…I cry it out to release the stress which will enable me to come up with plans for him) not for now, I must pretend like I am active and listening as people chat on this call.

Detail about the diagnosis to come.  The diagnosis comes with alot of positivity in the midst of what seems like a sad news.

I had very low expectations when the thought of homeschool hit. It has been one of the most challenging task I ever took on. I am now clear on why I CANNOT be a teacher regardless of how much I ache for the summer off that comes with the package. Teaching Samuel’s brother has been piece of cake but with Samuel….let’s just say it has been a journey .

I had high anxiety and difficulty with processing how the lockdown was going to work for us especially when it comes to teaching Samuel. It has been a lot of adjustment, alot of explaining, alot of constant steeming, alot of running, talking to self and pacing.

In all this, I saw something peek it head through, alot of determination. Let me be Frank and say getting Samuel to do school work is challenging. Not in the type of challenge that some parent of neurotypical kids feel, this is autism specific. Samuel is determined to follow school schedule so I work with that schedule has well. His breaks align with when he takes them in school. When work starts,he comes prepared like a soldier going to war….and focused. The challenge thou is also focus

I have to redirect him often because the voice in his head is far greater than what my vocal cords can compete with. I am now learning to calmly redirect him and because I’m calmer, I’m learning how super smart this boy is (I knew before but still)

Samuel was able to read his stories and answer the multiple and small sentence questions without help from me. I wanted him to answer his questions withou me having an opinion on it. Samuel is considered “Severly delayed in expressive and receptive language ” but someone , he managed to do his test solo and get 57, 60 and yesterday 87 percent on his own (to some, its low mark but the 57% is 100% in my sight because we have come far). I am finding that he does get super distracted however he can do this things…..all he needs his constant reminder/redirection. I realized that long sentences are much more harder for him but we shall work on it little by little.

I am in awe of how this boy keep teaching me about myself and himself. The more I think I know, the more he challenges me. BTW, he is now almost as tall as my door way…..I’m gonna need everyone to pray for my bank account🤣🤣🤣

Stay home, Stay safe and for those in the service or medical industries….all the essential works, Thank you.

As we all deal with the current world challenge,I hope we are taking time to stay safe, maintain safe distance and stay indoor as much as we can.  We will indeed get through this.

April 2nd is Autism Awareness day and my hope is that for this particular one,we take out time to check on each other and especially,check on parents with kids who have unique needs.

I have been thinking about how most parent of children and adults on the spectrum are feeling.  It must not be easy for them to explain to their none verbal kids about the situation  we are in and why they are unable to go to their regular activities (most kids on the spectrum  love and need to stay on routine).  I went for a walk the other day with Samuel and when he saw my neighbor,he attempted to run over to them…..and Samuel is aware of Corona virus (too aware even) so how much more children who cant really grasp the situation and understand social distancing.

I sympathize with single parents who still have to go shopping with their kid(s) on the spectrum. Going grocery with Samuel would have been hell because I can guarantee that folks wouldn’t have snapped at us because Samuel doesnt really understand that their is something called personal space.

As we pray, meditate (or whatever we all do to keep same during this period), please include these parents in your thought.

Let’s us also educate our kids about the uniqueness that is in all of us. This too shall pass

SHALOM #AutismAwarenessDay