Most of you probably don't know this, but I care for an 11 year lad with Autism, part-time / permanently. Which means that he "lives" with me for short or extended blocks of time, in order to give his mother - who has a hard time coping - a little bit of a break.
Lad doesn't speak, per se, but there are vocalizations that I've come to learn mean certain things. Plus, he has two words that are crystal clear.... a whispered haaaaaaaaat for any head covering, and a whispered caaaaaaaaar when he wants to go somplace.
But that's it.
Two words only.
We use Pecs cards as well - you know, the cards with a picture on them that relate to words for things, but he has little interest in them at all and has never been agreeable to using them for anything.
Now, to back up a bit, this young lad has only recently been toilet trained and we still have our fair share of accidents, but we're getting there. Praise the Lord... we're getting there!
When he got up this morning, I took him straight to the toilet as usual, and left him for a bit, while I got his clothes laid out.
I no sooner got halfway down the hallway, when he started yelling out. So when I went back to check on him, he had a huge smile on his face, looked me straight in the eye and said "shhhhhhhhhhhit !" And lo and behold... there was a shhhhh...poop in the toilet! And he just kept saying shhhhhhhhit shhhhhhhhhit while pointing at the toilet!!
I don't have a clue where he's learned the word "shhhhhhhhhit", because it's certainly not a word we use around here, but man... it did my heart good to hear it this morning !
And the eye contact that he made? That's unusual too, so I've got my fingers crossed that this is a break through!
Of course, when I flushed the toilet, I got a pretty bad reaction from him, mainly because I think that he felt it was his and he wanted to save it, but man... there are times you just have to draw the line!
He's now gone off to school on the bus, and I kind of wonder what the bus driver is going to think when he hears "shhhhhhhhit shhhhhhhhit shhhhhhhhit" for the next 30 minutes!
17 comments:
It is amazing what comes out of the mouths of children. I know God has a sense of humor also! I have been very concerned with the rate of autism for many years. I believe that is is caused by vaccinations. I have had a lot of peds tell me otherwise but I know from doing the research. Thermisol was removed several years ago only to be replaced with a metabolite that is even more harmful. Plus if you look at the vaccination schedules for children, you can easily see that they are way overdosed. It is scary!!
Hi TM and thanks for your support!
You are a saint (and don't say "No I'm NOT!) for the work you do and for giving that mom such an incredible break. How exciting to have a breakthrough like that - even if it isn't in a pretty package....so to speak....!
God bless you for the VERY hard work you do and the love you offer, not just there, but to me and others "out here" as well.
xoxoxo to you my friend.
Wonderful! Sounds like a great morning for both of you - something you both need and deserve. What a very, very kind person you are to support this boy and his mum. I'm glad you shared a such a special moment with him
wow, i had no idea you did this, you are an amazing woman for helping out. And what an amazing breakthrough, i have a good friend who has her masters in speach therapy, she deals mainly with autistic children (i have known her since i was 13) if you ever need me to ask her something please let me know!! May God bless you for your service to this child and his mother!!
What a funny story, and how rewarding for you to know that you are getting through to him and making a difference in his life. It may be the "S" bomb but at least it's one more word to his list of many I'm sure to come with your and the schools guidance.
Treehouse Chef,
I figure it must be a word that he hears from his mother, but regardless of where he got it from, at least he "GOT it". :-)
I have the same suspicions, but all you ever hear from the dr's is "no - it's not possible". But what else could account for the rapid rise in Autism diagnoses?
It makes me angry, but what can you do?
Robynn, No I'm NOT. And God has already blessed me, by bringing this lad and another 6 (who have the same diagnosis) into my life!
As well as sending me some wonderful bloggy-friends!
xoxoxox right backatcha!
Google Mummy, Thank you! It was a good start to the day and I just can't wait for him to start using other words as well. :-)
Staci, I've been doing Family Day Care for years and years now, and I seem to be given a lot of "special needs" children that other carers don't want to deal with.
Really... it's ME who has been blessed !
I might take you up on the offer of help from your friend too. Several of my kids are getting no speech therapy at ALL, and I just wish I knew how to do more for them!
Sherri, We WILL get there, or I'll die tryin'! This boy needs all the love and support he can get, and lawdy... he sure doesn't get it from home. Between me and the school... well, we're all he has.
I could say more, but I won't.
Can you SHARE?? PLEASE share and I thank you for WANTing too! Lots of love!
That is wonderful. I think you are a very special person to care for a child with special needs. I am glad you were rewarded with his new word even if it wasn't a word you would want him to be repeating.
God bless you for helping out, for finding the humor ( I was laughing) and for sharing. Children are so much more funt hat adults - though I realize that everyone needs a break too.
Anita
Bless your heart for what you do for that young man! What a difference you make in both his life and his mom's. Well done.
Tatersmama,
The longer I read your blog, the more I see what a wise and mature woman you are! Wow! I could never do what you're doing. I guess God gives each of us different gifts so that all the work that needs doing here on earth will get done!
Blessings to you!
OMGoodness, how blessed that child is to have you. So many don't have/get a back-up when mom is having a rough time.
...and what a great story(!).. I sure hope it is a breakthrough. As I so often say,"It's the Little Things in Life!".
There's a special place in Heaven for people like you.
GeeeeeeeeshLouise - why the heck didn't you put it in a bottle and send it for show and tell?
I love you KatieTatie, so keep "telling it like it is"!
Kathy, I'm nothing special. I'm just....me. I've been scratching my head over an acceptable word that he can use, and it's hard. It has to be something he can easily say, and for the life of me, I can't think of anything!
Anita, Thanks! He certainly keeps me on my toes and in spite of his "atttitude" he keeps me smiling. I couldn't do it otherwise. :-)
Paula, We ALL benefit - and if I could have this child full-time, I would do it in a heartbeat. And the way things are going at home, that may be a very real possibility.
Homestay Mama, You were in DOUBT of my wisdom and maturity before? LOL! Never mind... I have the same thought at times!
Thank you for your kind words. :-)
Bz, If this boy doesn't start sleeping through the night, I might be in heaven sooner than we think. he is a PITA 60% of the time ( he IS very high-needs) but there are moments that I could just eat him up, he's that gorgeous and funny. ;-)
Libby, Remind me to tell you about the bus driver (Noel) getting a diaper (nappy) to the back of his head by this kid. I really think Noel would draw the line at show and tell! LMAO!
Hey Katie, Wow what a fabulous thing to happen. Can you convert him to ship instead of shit? (Well if he's eating fibre, it'll float.)
Isn't it funny how the really small things become really big things. Last night Riles ate lettuce, tomato and nectarine salad and asked for more. Most of our days are focused on getting him to eat something decent - so that little salad made the world of difference to us.
You rock my world darl and how delightful to share the wonders of it all.
Katie--Afraid I have to disagree with your "I'm nothing special" comment----
you are an amazing person to work with the kids you work with...having seen firsthand the challenging kids you help by being there and putting an effort into...well, I can't even put into words how impressive it is! Not many people in this world could do the job you do...or do it so well!
SO THERE!! :-P
What a wonderful story! And a great break through for him! (and you!)
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