Literally

Yesterday after dinner we asked the kids to pick up the rocks in the backyard so it can be mowed.  Easy enough right.  The three of them (Roger, Lucy, and Porkchop) went out and started picking up rocks, sticks, toys, pretty much anything that could get thrown by a lawn mower.  now the two little ones stopped once all the loose stuff was picked up (thats all they needed to do) but not Roger.  I went out to check and see how they were doing and he is on his knees in the yard doing something this is the conversation that followed:

Me: What are you doing?

Roger: Picking up rocks like you said.

Me: OK why are your hands covered in dirt?

Roger: I have to dig the rocks up.

Me: why are digging up rocks?

Roger: you told me to pick up the rocks.

Me: I ment the loose ones, you don't have to dig them up.

Roger: But you said ALL the rocks that means these too.

He just kept digging up rocks once you get him started there's no stopping him and really he wasn't hurting anything.  But yes I need to remember next time pick up the loose rocks.  Wording is everything, Roger takes everything that is said literally so directions have to be very specific.

Checklist

checklist-could-spot-children-with-autism-earlier

I have to wonder if we had this checklist years ago would they have caught Roger earlier? Maybe, maybe not. I do know I had to fight to get the referral for Lucy to a developmental pediatrician when she still was not talking at age 4. Originally they thought maybe autism for her but decided to treat it as a speech delay because they were unsure, now they say she does not really show any signs of autism and it was probably just a speech delay. With the help of the schools and speech therapy we did get her talking and now she doesn't stop, you would never know by talking to her that she didn't talk at one point in time. She is proof of what a good team in the schools and early intervention can do.

A Mothers Courage

A Mother's Courage is a documentary about a Icelandic mother who goes on a journey to learn more about autism in hopes of helping her own 11-year-old son.  One of the first things I noticed was the wording, one of the first things said was he can't communicate normally.  Wording is everything, she never said he can not communicate just that he can not communicate like you or I do.
She visits people across the US and in the UK.  One of her first visits is to Temple Grandin, the next to a family in Wisconsin who has three boys on the spectrum.  She visits different experts in the area of autism as well to see what their research is. The UK did an interesting study where they looked at the fathers and grandfathers job's of kids with autism.  It was interesting to them that a good portion of father's and grandfather's were engineers.
Overall it is worth the watch. 

Coming Soon

Roger has some books written for kids where one of the characters has autism. As he reads them I am going to let him take over the blog and tell you about them. :) I know he has just finished two so his reviews will be coming very soon. But as we all know it will have to be on his time.

White House

Here's a Reminder* We invite you to view live streaming of part of the White House’s event in observance of Autism Awareness Month.

The live streamed portion of the event is TODAY from 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM Eastern.   http://www.whitehouse.gov/live

Ok well you have to scroll past all the egg roll stuff (which the whole thing will be streamed live). I'm not trying to be downer but lets be realistic this was planned. I doubt the President will even show up at the conference as he will be busy with the egg roll. Hmm I'm sure they knew when the egg roll was when they scheduled this.  Once again lip service that I can't help but think was meant to pacify the autism community to gain more votes next year. Not one news station in the district has reported on the conference all news is on the egg roll with 20k kiddos coming they overshadow anything else going on today, I don't expect full coverage but a little blurb would be nice. Just as any of the other special conference's going on today or any day should get a little blurb as well. Lets hope I'm wrong, but if history speaks for itself this really was to pacify and gain votes not really to do anything. 

Just because the common comment is you can't expect the government to do everything.  No I do not expect them to do anything, Us parents are the biggest advocate's for our kids until they can begin to advocate for themselves no matter the issues we all may face.  What I don't like is being used for a vote. It would be better to be ignored to completely. If you want to have your conference and me to believe you be open about it get it on the news or even headline it on your website not bury it.  When things are buried and hard to find it makes me think more lip service and something to add to your speeches on the campaign trail.

IPAD Challange

Sorry for the sales pitch but Roger asked if I would share this on my blog.
Hi Everyone, Roger is participating in the IPAD challenge through the puzzling piece. He has to sell 60 pieces. He has sold 7. Once he sells the 60 pieces he gets a brand new ipad.
What is he selling necklaces and key chains. They are good quality Pictures below. Any combination of the two products count.
How you can help: Visit http://www.thepuzzlingpiece.com/products.html the two products that count are $20 each and towards the bottom. There is a space for challengers name enter Pam H. Camel  place your order and that is it. Roger gets the credit for the order and is one step closer to getting an IPAD.  Thank You

KEY CHAIN
(item # def456) - Price $20
Made of alloy and weighing 1.8 oz., this double barrel clasp key chain is
worth its weight. It is a sophisticated key chain that does not require
words to communicate its cause. For all the men who love a child with
autism this one is for you. 

NECKLACE
(item # abc123) - Price $20  
This unique handmade, one of a kind puzzle piece is made from diachronic glass and measures 1 1/2 x 1 x 1/4". It comes on a 16" rubber cord, attached by a lobster clasp. All necklaces arrive individually packaged in a powder blue gift pouch. This necklace was made with lots of love and passion. My wish is that you enjoy wearing it as much as I enjoyed creating it. 

Sensory Overload

Yes I know I have been MIA here for close to a week but you know people get busy. I did want to share a youtube video about sensory overload. Keep your speakers on and watch this.

If you think about it if this was going on in your head it would scare the crap out of you. Roger watched it and said it was close for him. No wonder mid meltdown it seems as he can't hear us talking. He can't filter us out. We are still working on teaching him to know when it is about to happen so he can leave the area and maybe avoid the meltdown.