Hello
It seems I should have posted here first, but seeing as this is only my second post I am sure you will forgive me!
I live in the UK and have two children, one a BEAUTIFUL little boy (6) with ASD and the other his equally BEAUTIFUL sister (7) who is "neuro typical". I believe that is the right phrase (saying normal, somehow makes Autism sound abnormal which it certainly isn't).
We noticed that he wasn't progressing by 18 months and spoke to our doctor. She insisted there was nothing to worry about and that boys were always slower than girls etc... We waited another 5-6 months then demanded that he be evaluated at a child development centre. By the time he got his diagnosis of ASD with severe communicative and possible learning difficulties, he was nearly 3 years old.
We researched different therapies and found that the Son-rise program mirrored a lot of our parenting style. Those being that the parent is the childs greatest resource, and the fact that once you accept autism wholeheartedly you can enjoy teaching your child so much more. So we have been running a Son-rise program at home in our playroom for nearly 3 years. We have seen our little angel emerge from sitting in a corner ripping paper into perfect strips, totally non-verbal, tantruming and constantly looking at the floor (zero eye-contact).
He now has a great want to interact with us most of the time and has the biggest smile on his face from morning to night. He gives great cuddles and kisses self motivated, not just on request. He will be looking at a book then just walk up to us and sit on our lap and give us a big kiss and cuddle then smile so beautifully it could light up the world. He has a good volcabulary, can make choices about things offered to him, his understanding of language has improved considerably. He is totally toilet trained, which was a big one for us for ages!
. Mostly I enjoy, obviously playing and teaching him and him teaching me. I love to see what he is getting out of a certain Ism (repetative or exclusive behaviour) I have become a detective of Autism and given the choice, I can see why he is happy in his own world now and again. I believe our attitude, reaction, acceptence and unconditional love will help him realise his potential, whatever level that is.
Oh! and a massive sense of humour
.
Love
Billy, Sam, Olivia & Edward
Ps) sorry for it being a longish post its just that when I get started, I can talk about my wonderful family for ever!
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