Freethinker

I had to write a note about Liv's recent independent forays into the world of cognition.

Last week, she made a leap in her PECs program, Picture Exchange Communication System for those who do not know (including me, I had to look it up!). She had been working off of picture from the cover. But last week at school, she found her cover empty, so she proceeded to open her book and go through the pages until she found what she wanted and pulled off the picture she wanted! Her teachers were shocked because no one had been working on this with her. To make sure it was not a fluke, they tried it twice more and both times she picked out some different things she wanted. She also repeated it at home this weekend!

OK, one thing is...one thing, but another thing is ANOTHER THING! Today, she came in from riding a bike with Aly and the therapist. She was thirsty and when no one was quick on the draw, there was a cup and a small bottle of juice on the dining room table, so...she just poured herself a glass! Again, nothing she was working on; this is no where close to what she normally does. Her fine motor has been getting better over the past month, but this was unexpected!

It's obvious to us she is paying attention, she's just picking this stuff up from watching us, her teachers and, oh yea, her little sister. Both Grace and Liv have been playing with some kid percussion instruments lately. The teachers say and we agree that we have to push her a little more, she's really beginning to progress and maybe she's just bored and needs new challenges.

Sorry to fill a post bragging, but you have to sit back and admire the view when you hit high ground!

Bill

WHY DO AUTISTIC KIDS HATE THEIR PARENTS?

Maybe the question should be why do ASD people hate parents of autistic children? Or should I go the other way and just say why do kids hate their parents? My oldest being 11, I am only now learning recently of this 'kids hate their parents' syndrome. Being the parent of an autistic 3 year old (as well as four other children of various NT ranges of disfunctionality), I find the level of venom coming from various sources disturbing. Being a parent of an autistic child who chooses to try various biomedical approaches, I am feeling as if I have to explain EVERYTHING I do for my child. I assure you, nothing I am doing with my child is life threatening nor life altering (nor do I expect it to). All I am looking for is better responses to her various therapies.
I guess I WAS looking for a "cure" at one point, but my knowledge and expectations have shifted from that of finding the 'antibiotic' to finding the right type of therapies to reach her and have her be able to reach me. Why should vitamins and diet be met with such a backlash of anger though? No need to answer that, I know who the anger is mostly pointed at, I just wonder why it flows down to the parents.
Which brings me back to my title. Do you think my Liv is going to grow up to hate what I tried to do for her? I certainly hope she has the presence to formulate and to express it to me!

Sorry for a disappointing inaugural post. I just felt that if I post graffitti on all your blogs, that you have the opportunity to draw on my walls...Bill