discovery

When I was in grade school I thought it was important to fit in. Do, buy and say what the popular kids were doing buying and saying. I wasn't that great at it- Popular. I didn't ever really feel like I found my people.


In high school I thought it was important to go with the flow. Not stand out. Drink and have fun...but I actually didn't like drinking- and I didn't love going to parties where the parents were out of town either...but I knew that's what I was supposed to do- so I did...and because of that- I really wasn't true to myself. I always kind of felt like the 65 year old 17 year old.

In college, I thought it was important to work hard and look a certain way and weigh a certain amount. I knew full throttle or nothing at all. It took so much energy and so much work. Many days it was all I worked toward...perfection... I wanted to graduate and get a certain job that sounded a certain way...and so I did...and I was happy... kind of.

When I became a Mom I thought it was important to dress a certain more mature mom way. I thought it was important to have a more mom of a hair style.



Talk a certain mom way with sentences that were free of curses. I thought it was important to buy the best foods and toys and stuff for Grey- and be the best for Grey. And being the best takes more energy than I could ever seem to muster up...especially when I usually felt like I had no idea what I was doing... but I tried to pretend like I had it figured out.


And today...what a journey has led me to today. Today- I'm often not really sure what I'm supposed to do, so I try to stay positive and be willing to learn as I go.  I've succumbed to the fact that I will never ever be the best at any single thing- except at being me. I am absolutely the best at being me. I don't really know what that even means anymore- the best. I'm not sure what I'm supposed to wear- but I know it's supposed to be comfortable and I don't care if I get it dirty because then I can always blame it on the kids...and sometimes if I'm feeling low it's best to shower and wear makeup and look cute- for me. I say what feels right and try not to hurt others with my words. I feel like I have finally found my people.

I guess that's the journey we go through as we get all growned up. Hopefully we just become the me we were meant to be.

Tonight we went to the mall with the water thingies outside...and every time I call it that Michael says- Don't you mean the only mall in Fresno? Yes Friends, there is only one mall in Fresno. Isn't that funny?

But this week has kicked Grey in the ass... and he fell asleep on his favorite place in the World- Dad's shoulder.



Yesterday I realized I haven't gotten my eye brows done in years. And that's what I picked for my dot for today...



I don't know why- but Doodle loved it in there. He didn't want to leave.




Grey finally woke up so we took him back to the water area...but he didn't want it... Hmmmm....He so desperately wanted something else-and he wanted to tell us what he wanted- but you know- the whole not being able to talk part got in the way... So we just let him guide us as we discovered where to go...

Greyson- which way should we go? And he would point us along...

Disssss.... waaaaayyyy....

Ah ha... And finally we found what we were looking for...

Forever 21... Isn't that hilarious?



He loves to go up and down the escalators...



And so we did...again and again and again...



Sometime I'm going to take him to the mall alone and on purpose just so we can go up and down them forever... As soon as he gets off the escalator he runs back around to do it all over again.




I love Grey because he likes what he likes...not because he is supposed to-- or because his friend has one... It took me thirty something years to get that way...





My Friend, meet unbridled joy...




Even old-fashioned stairs will do...which is great because then he's extra tired for bed.



Have an extra special wonderful Memorial Day weekend...
We say a special prayer for the men and women who have died while serving in the Armed Forces...

Much Love,

Chrissy

PS--- 1,003!!!!

control

Today the World was spinning out of control.


And it finally stopped and we are all exhausted. Greyson has been waking up numerous times at night from being stuffed up and sick... Greyson has been struggling this week... And mentally it's so hard for me to not only watch him- but to make him do ABA and make him go to speech and make him go to his Typical preschool- when he's still just not back to his fully healthy self.

Stuffy nose and head and fever blisters and tired. He is expected to work so hard- and he does. And it's times like these I just want to say screw Autism for the week...we are just going to have naked time at the pool all day every day until he feels better.


But every day counts...

It's funny...the more I feel out of control in Life- the more I work to control the other things...



And if I pull out a label maker? Forget it.









That's why I feel sorry for people who have absolutely every single duck lined up in a row...everything perfect all the time... I know it means they are masking some kind of sadness and feelings of inadequacy.




Grey feel right asleep after preschool today- and I had to wake him up to go to Speech Therapy.... Speech is so important because it's the bridge from Spectrumville to me.

And the more he communicates the happier he is. His happy is my welcomed responsibility. Greyson's communication regressed to almost nothing when he attended school this past year... From consistent 3 word requesting sentences- I want drink. I want outside. I want car... Gone...

And he is working so hard to get his language back. Today he even had a few two word sentences...



More....train...



Greyson- you teach me what it truly means to work hard.


Last night I started writing while the kids were still up... Lesson learned... as I sat right in front of them but not paying any attention- Parker:

Took off his diaper
Peed on the floor
Dumped out a mug of coffee hiding from morning- right after he drank some





And dumped out at least three million nonpareil colored candy sprinkles on the ground that I know I will be finding for years...

Happy sleep...or wake... Depending on when you read....


Love,
Chrissy

moments

One hour left...

One excruciating hour before bed time...

I imagine it will feel like holding my breath for an hour...or doing crunches for an hour. Time shrinks and expands throughout life. One hour drinking coffee with a friend is not the same one hour before bedtime. It's gotta be written in some law of physics book somewhere.

I think back on what I've eaten today. Gross. An odd combination of foods usually reserved for a Vegas buffet. Some noodles, veggie straws, pistachios, Greek yogurt, pop chips, pretzels and a turkey sandwich. Small handfuls of the boys snacks that I simply didn't feel like standing up to throw away.

And now.... 52 minutes left still... It feels like I've been writing for 3 hours... I'm positive it's been at least that long- but my clock mocks me with a number that is only 8- now 9 minutes later.

_______________________
And now- bedtime is here... And the last minutes weren't hard at all... In fact they were some of the most beautiful of my entire day...and my face is covered in tears and my heart is swelling with love because God himself brought me to this video that I watched which gave my Life instant perspective...


Most people live kind of in the middle. Between a dream come true and you're dying and it's a very comfortable place to live. I'm living on the two extreme ends, so you have really really good days, and you have really really bad days. Zach Sobiech

Zach- That's how I feel about my Life... we have really really amazing days- and some really really difficult ones... but you've helped me realize that is OK- because we are not stuck barely feeling in the middle. Thank you for enriching my Life and for touching my heart. I'm listening to your song Clouds as I type and and I'm grateful for this whimsical beautiful moment.
____________________________


Today I said screw the end of naked time.



Greyson is slowly recovering from being sick. It was his first day back in therapy since Friday and it was a rough one. 6 hours with only an hour break in between. Apparently naked time makes everything better. Baby wants naked time? Baby gets naked time.



Parker said what the heck and decided to join him in naked swimming...





Naked driving...



And even naked reading...





And then some naked- pondering what I read...when you are 2, everything is better naked.



Apparently he even wanted to do some naked eating... Since Parker can't talk- he found a way to tell me when he is hungry. He does this when he is ready to eat- and he often gets stuck. It's one of the million things that makes my heart swell with happy and sad all at once.







So now I go to get ready for bed...grateful to be alive...It's a calm and peaceful moment.

I'm realizing Life is made up of moments... Simple moments... Moments strung together. Happy, silly, sad, hard beautiful moments...Moments... Funny that the word Mom is snuck in there.

Thank you for sharing some moments with me.


Love,
Chrissy

naked time

When a good song comes on I like to turn it up... I am suddenly cool. I can dance and sing... Double threat.  I even have rhythm. I am hip. Heck- I could probably even convince myself that I'm a good cook then. If I'm running- I'm fast. I don't worry. I am strong.

This weekend I blasted music while I ran to get used to my new running inadequacy. Running the right way means completely new muscles are getting worked. I can only go half my usual distance and it still hurts. 

But blasting U2 and Pink and Sting and Prince certainly helped...

Dearly beloved, we have gathered here today

To get through this thing called life

Electric word life it means forever and that's a mighty long time

But I'm here to tell you there's something else

The afterworld, a world of never ending happiness

You can always see the sun, day or night

So when you call up that shrink in Beverly Hills

You know the one Dr. Everything'll Be Alright

Instead of asking him how much of your time is left?

Ask him how much of your mind, baby

'Cause in this life things are much harder than in the afterworld

This life you're on your own

And if the elevator tries to bring you down

Go crazy

And I swear when it got to that part, I fist pumped and kicked and spun around like I actually was Prince... If Greyson could talk he would certainly say- Mom, you are so embarrassing. 

And I actually used to have a shrink in Beverly Hills... I was probably about 28 years old. I lived in Southern California and I had stuff I needed to work out... I think we all have stuff we need to work out- or we are in denial... She actually wasn't a shrink- she was a licensed therapist... Her name was Bonnie and she helped me get over heart break and finding myself...as cliche'd as that sounds.... And in retrospect my life was so simple then. Single, living in paradise, making great money...and somehow it shocks me yet doesn't surprise me at all that I am actually happier now.

I think I've gotten to know myself better in the past ten years. And I think making friends with your own self is a pretty important key to the door to happy.

_________________________

I remember being a little girl... I couldn't have been more than 7 or 8 years old and I was having a talk with my Dad. When I was 3 my 7 year old brother Douglas was hit by a car and killed down the street from our house. I'm certain that one event taught me more about Love and Life than I could ever describe. 

In that conversation I remember my Dad telling me there were times that he closed his office door at work and just laid on the ground and cried he was so sad.

If you have lost a child, my heart aches for you. I've seen the sadness it causes...I can't imagine how it would feel...I celebrate the Life of your little with you. I celebrate you for getting out of bed every day. I'm so sorry.

I'm glad Dad told me all of that. It made me feel grown up and worthy of important information. It showed me it's good to tell people you care about what you really are feeling. Even if it isn't happy and shiny.

We all miss you Doug... 

Tell the people in your Life you love them... Today...

I am lucky I have two caring loving kind sisters in my Life. Katie is 10 years younger and Lisa is 5 years younger.



Here we were in Hawaii about 9 or so years ago.  Katie, sorry I posted the ek picture. I couldn't help it. When Katie saw the picture after we took it she said- Why did you guys do sexy? I didn't know. I did cute and you guys did sexy. And then Lisa and I were laughing that the K on her shirt looked like an ek- which then we pronounced as Eeeeekkkkkk...and then we called her that the rest of the trip... and all that ridiculousness is why it's awesome to have sisters.

__________________________

I made a mistake...

Let me back up... A couple of months ago- at the very first hint of warm weather- Greyson and I started a ritual. He has an hour break in between his morning and afternoon therapy sessions. During this time we would go outside, eat lunch and have naked time. I thought it would be a good chance for Greyson to become aware of his bodily bathroom functions. Before that I'm pretty sure he didn't have a clue that anything was going on down there.

This sacred hour of time became the very stuff his soul is made of. He soon discovered that naked time is his favorite thing on Earth...



And now, unfortunately Greyson associates any and every pool with instant naked. The second I turn around his trunks are off. And the more time he spends in Naked Town the more he enjoys it- and the more he tries to go there.  Many Spectrum kids inherently enjoy being naked. Sometimes any of their 5 senses are ultra sensitive. Although it is not the case with us, some find clothing or shoes painful. Naked time is preferred in Spectrumville.



What's the big deal? I thought. It's perfectly natural- being naked. We are in the privacy of our back yard. (OHMYGOSH... As I'm writing this- I look over at Greyson and he is - NAKED... Pull up and T-shirt poof.)

But I quickly realized what the big deal is...The more I let him be naked- the more he only wants to be naked. The other afternoon we met a Friend at her swim club. Beautiful place with tennis courts and a gym and a bar and a little naked boy... WHAT?! A LITTLE NAKED BOY? Yes- before I could even set our stuff down by the pool I look up and see Greyson --already buck naked. Little girls standing with mouth agape...

And my very suggestion of, We wear pants at the pool was met with instant running and screaming... Awesome...Hi- I'm the Mom chasing the running screaming naked child. Please don't mind me.

Thank God they also have beer at this joint.

And although I do find it sweet and funny- If I don't nip this one- Greyson will quickly turn into the 14 year old boy getting naked in public- so now I am naked time police... We just can't go there anymore...After today...I keep putting it off.... It just takes so much energy to stop it right now- but it's time...

After seeing Greyson strip naked at the club, one Mom says to me- Good to see I'm not the worst Mom here, with a smile.

And my smile haulted abruptly as I wondered- What does that mean? It better have been a ill-timed extremely unsuccessful comedic attempt. Don't make me have the talk with you, lady... I'm a bad Mom for PLENTY of reasons... But  NOT a because my 3 year old son just flashed his penis. Let's just focus on our own kids- what do you say gal?

There's a part of me that envies Greyson's lack of inhibitions while naked. Not an ounce of self-conciseness.

When did we learn that, I wonder? The harsh judgement of our naked self.  It's certainly something that I won't be teaching Grey.

Have a great day....

Love,

Chrissy

14 more likes on Facebook until we reach 1,000! And then what? My life will be perfect? Probably not... So like and share if you want...and if you don't- that's OK too- my life will still be not perfect.

keeping watch

I'm taking deep breaths right now...

In and out...

Whoooshhhh...

The bad part of the weekend? The goodness that comes to an abrupt halt at around 8pm Sunday evening... I start to think of the week and my heart starts to beat faster...and not the good kind of beat faster. I feel like I'm giving birth to a tiny little anxiety baby.

Why does Monday morning have so much power? I picture it with devil ears, rubbing it's hands together laughing at me.. And despite the fact that I think thinking is everything...I wake up and instantly start thinking terribly no good thoughts of not enough on most mornings...especially Mondays... I didn't get enough sleep... I don't have enough time... I don't have enough energy...

Not enough is never a good way to start anything...


But I've tackled a Monday before...a million times before really...And tomorrow I'm going to try to have one thought and one thought alone the second I wake up tomorrow...

Abundance...

I will just repeat it over and over instead of curse words when Parker wakes me up- cries crackling from the baby monitor beside my bed...

Abundance...abundance...abundance.

Because I know my Monday will contain tired and sucky and stupid and frustrated...

But it will also contain good and caffeine and happy and nice just waiting to be discovered... Hopefully an abundance of good.  An abundance of all those things I don't think I have enough of... sleep, time, energy...good thoughts.

Greyson got sick on Friday. His late afternoon ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) Teacher said he felt warm and she thought he might have a fever. I grabbed the thermometer and checked... She was right so we ended therapy immediately. Greyson laid down in my bed and was asleep within 5 minutes.


Parker still had an appointment with our simply awesome Early Intervention Teacher via Citikids in the Clovis school district. We have amazing services provided by the state for Early Intervention where we live in California. Absolute abundance. We had fun playing and working with Parker...helping him explore and problem solve and figure things out...and although I love watching Parker bloom, I couldn't wait to get back to Grey. I just wanted to be near him. I wanted to check on his okness. As soon as it was over I ran upstairs to lay by Grey... I felt like I was doing something important by keeping watch. Michael came home from watch and I just stayed there for awhile keeping watch. I think that's part of what love is...sometimes there's nothing you can do. Nothing you can change or take away.

However, you can show up and keep watch. You always can find a way to do that.

I recently had a friend going through one of Life's little curve balls and there was nothing I could do to make it go away...and every night she was on my mind, and every morning I thought of her and wondered how she was feeling as soon as I woke up. I kept watch over her in the ways I could as best I could from afar.

I think keeping watch is something important we can do for the people we love- especially when we feel like there is nothing we can do. We can think and hope and pray for them. We can check in on them. We can help out when it's hard- but more importantly- keep helping and keep -keeping watch long after other people forget. Sometimes it's something simple like a note or a coffee...and going through what I have with the boys made me realize how incredibly important those seemingly small gestures can truly be.


This weekend was chock full of sunshine and good stuff...

Saturday was Michael's birthday. Friend, we went out for margaritas...our favorite thing on the planet.



Salsa's in Old Town Clovis is my favorite. The food is so amazing you barely even notice the pretty terrible service.




Michael's Chile relleno...They are famous for those. We had a great time drinking margs and laughing and debating if the phrase is- A force to be reckoned with or a force not to be reckoned with... How in the WORLD did couple's resolve debates before Google was born? Michael was right and I was wrong, the way it is written the first time is correct. Damn.



Today Greyson wasn't quite back to himself yet.







But pretty darn close I realized when he tee-peed us.


We checked out the new grocery store in town, Sprouts...we had to see what everybody is talking about.

Tractor out front- plus...



Parker is still learning to point... He does it all the time- but never actually at anything specific. Or- he will see something remarkable- and he will point at himself instead of at the object... He makes me laugh in a way that also hurts just a tiny bit- to see him work so hard on something as simple as learning to point.








They had lots of great Gluten (and dairy and soy!) free stuff. Even cupcakes with icing. I was so excited to get the boys lots of good stuff... Abundance...


So that's our plan- our theme- our mantra for tomorrow. K? Abundance...

And tell Monday to leave you alone. Tell Monday you are a force to be reckoned with, damnit.


Much Love,

Chrissy

PS- Like Life with Greyson + Parker on Facebook. Absolute abundance.

deep breaths

I believe in hot and sweaty summer nights and crickets and sundresses and warm breezes

I believe in the under dog. They are usually almost always absolutely my favorite

I believe music makes little teeny tiny band aids that find the hurt and make it a little better

I believe good things come to those who don't wait... Or who wait a really really really really ridiculously really long time

I believe retail therapy actually kind of works on the little things...but it's expensive

I believe running and God kinda actually works on the big things...and they're free...funny

I think if I was an apple I would be an extra large fuji...what about you?

I believe in the power of taking deep breaths... take one now- good right?

My first friend in Fresno taught me a lesson... She reminded me that my life lesson # 284 is still an important one for me- It is better to be alone than to be with someone who sucks.  We were not a good match- but I didn't know a soul and I thought it was better to spend time with her than to be alone. I thought having kids in common was enough. Wrong on both fronts... You are what you eat and you are who you hang out with. Don't hang out with sucky people unless you want to be sucky too. 

And the realization of Parker's Super Powers cut through the clutter of my Life in Friendship again. What I need in a Friend became highly evident. No drama. No excuses.  I prefer to have a handful of truth telling, authentic, fun, perfectly flawed, respectfully opinionated, happy more often than not, ready to show up in a second -friends. The older I get the more I find people like me.



My boys are helping me redefine everything. Prettiest used to be perfectly put together...now I think pretty is strong, different...downright breathtaking... 

I used to think winning meant you were the fastest or the best... Now winning is trying really stinking hard...not giving up... More than one person can win at a time too. 

I used to think IQ was intelligence quota... But I've met plenty of smart stupid people. I think intelligence is how you handle human beings and what you give to the World and the people around you. Intelligence is a perfect yet honest blend of integrity and humble and kindness and knowledge.

I used to think strong meant you don't crack- and if you did- you keep it private. I couldn't have been more wrong. Strong is the freedom to be exactly who you are. Strong is screwing up and not hiding it... Strong is screwing up and trying again...and again and again and again. Sometimes strong is putting two feet on the floor and getting out of bed in the morning and choosing to trying again...

People may wonder- how can you hate autism yet say there is beauty inside?...and it's those very lessons that make me grateful that I can see life the same yet in a completely different way.

One thing I hate about autism is food aversion...It's like extreme pickiness. Not toddler picky- compulsively picky. Greyson's diet is already limited since he can not have dairy, soy or gluten... If he had it his way he would eat hot dogs and chips all day. I have to consistently remember to rotate foods he likes into his diet or he will suddenly refuse to eat them. If he hasn't had something for a few weeks- getting him to try it is sometimes like starting over from scratch.



I hate this picture. It makes me sad. Greyson wouldn't eat the gluten free soft pretzel I made. Theoretically, I know he would love them- but he hasn't had one in a long time and he doesn't remember. They don't have an unusual color or texture (two red flags for him)- but still he didn't want to eat it. When that happens Michael or I make him eat one bite before he can have anything else. Sometimes it's a battle I mentally can't handle. I get so mad...so frustrated...sometimes I just lose it... I have to remember to breathe deep.






Thankfully Doodle loved his... 



He carried it around forever... Happy... 

Remember my- CAN I GET 30 MINUTES!?!!! Night the other night? My child was returned to me with this scab on his face...I guess it gives him street cred.


My full time job started this morning at 5:50am... It started crying and wouldn't stop... I took Parker and put him in the playroom and laid back down. Three minutes later he was banging on my arm- so he could give me some bubbles to blow for him... I took the bubbles and threw them. Poor Parker...





All I want are these bubbles...he says... He will learn soon that Mommy is not a morning Mommy.

And I knew my night was screwed when this happened right after ABA...



My first thought was- how sweet...and my second thought was- I'm screwed... Now he'll never fall asleep tonight...


But it all worked out... It always does- doesn't it Friend? And no- I'm not just talking about bedtime...



Have a great weekend... Remember to breathe deep.


Love, 

Chrissy

one thousand words

No one knows Greyson better than me...

No one...

Not a Doctor, a therapist, an Autism expert, a Teacher, an article or even a book... Michael is a close second- but no one knows him better than me. His Momma...

I know when to push him. I know when he's giving 78% and should be giving 100%. I know when he's giving 110% and not succeeding but truly giving his all. I know that his ears fold just like mine. I know he has a sweet tooth. I know what makes him sad or scared and I know what makes him happy... I don't always know what makes him mad, but I am trying to figure it out...

There are times Greyson succeeds because I know what knobs to turn and what buttons to push...

There are also times, that I hold him back... Maybe I don't want a disagreement...maybe I don't think he's capable of it... Maybe I just don't have the energy... and that's when exceptional therapists and Teachers come in. They push and push and get more than I would have ever expected... they don't give up on a task- when I would have...and they get results...

I thought of that in an instant this morning out of nowhere...

Who says Greyson can't play T-Ball? Why did I think that? Grey can hit a ball like Ozzie Smith in the 80's for the awesome St. Louis Cardinals. He loves his T-ball stand we have. He can run so fast. Sure- he wouldn't have any idea that he was supposed to stop when he got to the base- but I could help him. I'm pretty sure the other 3 year olds aren't quite Pro-status... I'll stand on the damn field with him the entire game if I need to and am allowed to... And if he doens't like it after he's given it a few tries- we will try something else...

I think I'll always be learning when to push and when it's OK to back off... Sometimes that feels like it means I am making a mistake but I think it just means I am always trying...




Doodle at speech today... If you have a child with Super Powers doing Speech Therapy--I hope it looks like fun. The teaching part is snuck in there...

Do you want to go down? and then Parker must say down to get what he wants...

It's so important that it doesn't look like a teacher sitting at a desk reviewing flash cards with a child sitting at a desk...it's just not how kids on the Spectrum are wired to learn...


It's also a bonus to have a therapist that will review current pop culture with your child...



Parker was then taught to say- I don't give a crap about the Kardasdians...and then-
Why are they famous again?

(I'm just joking about the magazine- in case you took me seriously. Parker had just grabbed it from the table).
_____________________

I still surprises me...the depth of my love for words...And the irony that my sons can't share that with me... I swirl that around sometimes and look for the meaning inside... I know it is there... But I realized something today- it's not just words that truly mean the most to me... It's words and pictures and music...they all help me explain and emote and communicate and feel...

And the truth is- Greyson can experience pictures and music...And we can even share in those things together...and it was like a tiny weight was lifted when I realized that...

Pictures are my favorite...and God gave me this passion for pictures and my camera... And pictures give me incredibly insanely so much...and the fact that my passion can be used to help Greyson speak makes me believe there is no such thing as a coincidence... Well Done God...Thank you...and I forgive you for making me hate mornings so much...




The colored boards on the right with the larger pictures are called Choice Boards and are used during the boys Behavior Therapy sessions.

The primary purpose of giving someone choices is to give them some control over certain situations. Both adults and kids like to have some control over their lives. It is more motivating to be able to decide which snack to have, which show to watch or what toy to play with.  Providing choice is a positive strategy that may reduce some situational behavior problems.

A choice board is a visual 2 or 3D exhibit of the choice possibilities. The choices may be expressed as pictures or text (2D) or can be represented by objects or tangible symbols (3D). Verbalizing choices often isn't effective with individuals with autism spectrum disorders.
Greyson- Do you want to jump, go to the pool or play with the water table?  Is too much. He may not listen to the whole message, he may not be paying attention until the second or third option is being listed, and the message may be quickly forgotten. With a visual display, Greyson has time to see all the possibilities, has time to think about the decision, and has time to check the options as often as he  needs, before making a decision. At first when we begin to use the board each boy will only have a couple of pictures to choose from as to not overwhelm them.


When it comes to most kids on the spectrum- Pictures are preferred learning tools versus the spoken word. I've heard it said- they think in pictures and we think in words...


When we took Greyson out of school in March, we reevaluated everything we were doing for him. One thing we decided to implement was something called PECS- Picture Exchange Communication. In the picture above it's the green binder on the left.

When we started Speech Therapy with Greyson 2 years ago- we were against using PECS because Greyson is good at verbal imitation (If I say --Greyson say ball...he will say ball.)

We discussed it with his Speech Therapist and completely agreed with her recommendation that we put our communication efforts into teaching him to speak instead of teaching him to use pictures to speak. However since we are 2 years in and he still does not spontaneously initiate communication we are ready to try something new. And now on some days pretzel, jump and purple can sound very much the same- so pictures help to remove some of his frustration of being misunderstood.


PECS begins by teaching an individual to give a picture of a desired item to a “communicative partner", who immediately honors the exchange as a request. The system goes on to teach discrimination of pictures and how to put them together in sentences. In the more advanced phases, individuals are taught to answer questions and to comment.





Many students using PECS end up developing speech. As we implement PECS- we will make sure that Greyson verbalizes any requests he makes using the pictures.

I... want... ipad... 

This page has all his favorite shows...a Special thank you to JB for printing and laminating and cutting out all of those little tiny damn pictures for the PECS book... We love you!



So tonight I go to bed proud that I finished two projects that have been cluttering up my guest bedroom for too long...


That's it for now... thanks for stopping by.


Love,

Chrissy

wrong planet

This is a post for you...

The Friend that reads this blog every day... Sometimes at night right after I hit publish...and sometimes you write me and you say that my blog is the first thing you read each day... sometimes from your phone before you even get out of bed.

You are totally my people...My word loving people...

I'm so tired and I've got nothing to say- but I want to show up for you...because you show up for me daily. And trust me- I need your words to fuel me too.

It's still only Tuesday... Tuesday of this week...Seriously...Tuesday...

Today was mostly hard due to:


 Exhibit A...





And Exhibit B...




Sometimes being a stay at home Mom is isolating... and even though there are therapists in and out of
the house and both kids are there- it can get lonely. Simultaneously mind numbingly boring and busy all at once...

This evening when Michael walked in the door from work I threw Parker like a shot put into his arms...


Will you just take this?

I barked angrily... Can I just have 30 MINUTES TO MYSELF... I asked with no question mark at the end- and then I ran up the stairs to my room before he could possibly answer no...

No wasn't an option...

And at first when I got to my room my mind started to whirl... How am I going to do this for the next few days with Michael out of town? And I was working myself up into a frenzy- so I decided to stop thinking and watch Real Housewives of Orange County...much better.

I keep up on medical advancements or current studies on Autism- but other than that I don't read much on it. When I have time to read- Autism is the last topic I want to read about. At the beginning of our ride, I read everything I could get my hands on in regards to Autism- but now I prefer to read about pretty much anything else in the World.

However I recently read something that referred to autism as Wrong Planet Syndrome...
Wrong Planet (also referred to by its URL, wrongplanet.net) is an online community for individuals with autism and Asperger syndrome. The site was started in 2004 and includes a chatroom, a large forum, a dating section, and articles describing how to deal with daily issues.

And I just connected with that title...and it made sense and it also made me feel sad...
But I think that's how it is with Greyson... His way is good and right and normal...somewhere else...on a different planet... And so when I can- I adapt to him and what feels right to him...I meet him halfway... It's the least I can do- and it's not nearly enough- but I try...


And right before bedtime I was considerably more sane.



It was Doodle's turn to want to escape...





Quite a few times tonight in fact...





And now I check in with you and eat chocolate and all is right in the World again.

And these are some words that will help me try again tomorrow...



Thanks to Momastery posting them on their facebook page

For you awesome Friends wanting more info on the Spirit Bracelet I wrote about... I've received emails asking for the price and how to get it... It's $29 plus shipping and here's the link to purchase...

I love mine and only take it off to shower- which unfortunately is not always daily... I'm getting a second one as part of a late Mother's Day gift because I need one to symbolize each boy to wear on me always...


Have a great Wednesday...


Love Your Friend,

Chrissy