A Halloween Adventure in Autism (11/12) New Thread Begun on TR Board!

[KathyRN137]

Thanks, Kathy for your great advise and insight. I also just noticed that most of this thread related to autism and I am so embarrashed that I did not notice I was on the wrong board. Being an educator, I feel so dumb!

Your idea about a "token" item to wear is a good thing for DH. Maybe just a t-shirt for DGD ( its her birthday that night) and a hat will do. GREAT IDEAS! Thanks so much!

Hey Sally... please don't feel that way! We do have an autistic child, but our family (and this thread) is a lot more than just that one issue. We're just another Disney-lovin' family!

You know your hubby better than anyone and if you don't think he would be comfortable "dressing up" than you are wise not to force him or try to make him feel guilty. The whole point of the party is to have fun!


Kathy

 

[eandesmom]

I'm hoping they will include some "boy stuff" in Fantasyland... the boys can get excited about Star Tours 2.0 at DHS!!

Still waiting for the price tag on the tooth...

Kathy

any update on your tooth? still holding up? I'm with you on the boy stuff in fantasy land

 

[KathyRN137]

Love today's picture! Tricia looks like she is having a great time, regardless of being an "all grown up" 10!!! year old!!

You're right! Those little girly years don't last long! But having lots of pix like this sure can help you remember those fun times!

I think that all girls enjoy being "fussed over" no matter what their age! Which reminds me... I need to make an appointment for a haircut, myself!

Everyday seems like picture day at our house -- Chelsea takes about thirty minutes just to get dressed and styled each morning.

Tricia is just beaming after her BBB make-over!

Chelsea did it the year she turned ten as well -- you are right -- those princess years fly by.

I'm so glad the BBB came out when it did... otherwise she would've missed it! I'm even a bit sad looking at all the wonderful additions they have planned for Fantasyland... she really would've flipped over meeting the princesses like that when she was younger. She's not even that jazzed about meeting Tink and the Fairies now! (But I am!)

I love the BBB pictures. She looks so pretty and she looks like she is having fun too!

Thanks, Nancy! Like I said, I really should dig out the PP pictures from that day! Ethan's doing the Pirate League, right?? I remember you saying that your DD is doing BBB....


Kathy

 

[KathyRN137]

Another great set of pics. Today was picture day for DD12 and the angst started yesterday - "what am I going to wear, I donly have anything to wear" Luckily no one needed lunches today as she had me using a curling iron to try and straighten her hair (much to her dismay we don't have a flat iron). Thankfully she liked the way it turned out.

DD8 is already done with princesses too but she still likes BBB. That was her consolation prize during our June trip for missing her dance recital. DD12 didn't do it this year but she had me put her hair up in a bun with the little crown.

I think they secretly wish they could wear that sparkly stuff all the time, don't you?!

Please don't tell me Aisling will look that grown up when she's 10!!! I'm so sad thinking that a time might come that she will outgrown WDW

Feels like we're all going to start singing "Sunrise, Sunset!"

Where is the little girl I carried....


Kathy

 

[KathyRN137]

any update on your tooth? still holding up? I'm with you on the boy stuff in fantasy land

Tooth feels fine... haven't heard the price tag yet, and I'm afraid to call!

I really hope they bring CarsLand to WDW as well as DL! It looks like it would be so much fun, not just for little boys but "big" boys as well! It reminds me of Test Track.



This new bit of live entertainment at the MK looks interesting...especially if you like Fort Wilderness and classic Frontierland!


Frontierland Hoedown

Interactive parade featuring dancers and the Country Bears. Guests are invited to participate in a square dance and a line dance. Takes place outside the Country Bear Jamboree, Prairie Outpost & Supply and Pecos Bill's Tall Tale Inn & Cafe.
Sunday, Monday, Thursday & Saturday at 4:45pm
Wednesday at 9:55, 10:40 & 11:40am
Length of sets: ?? minutes


Kathy

 

[KathyRN137]

Love the BBB pic! Time sure flies, doesn't it?

Wanted to tell you that Jeff and I walked in the Walk Now for Autism fundraising walk this past Saturday. His company was a major corporate sponsor. Although I don't know anyone personally affected by autism, I was thinking of Billy, Scrappie's Michael and Amy's Alex as I walked. Thanks so much for sharing your awesome kids with us!

That's great! Way to go!

You're so sweet to think of our kids... Thanks!

Kathy

 

[eandesmom]

Tooth feels fine... haven't heard the price tag yet, and I'm afraid to call!

I really hope they bring CarsLand to WDW as well as DL! It looks like it would be so much fun, not just for little boys but "big" boys as well! It reminds me of Test Track.

This new bit of live entertainment at the MK looks interesting...especially if you like Fort Wilderness and classic Frontierland!


Frontierland Hoedown

Interactive parade featuring dancers and the Country Bears. Guests are invited to participate in a square dance and a line dance. Takes place outside the Country Bear Jamboree, Prairie Outpost & Supply and Pecos Bill's Tall Tale Inn & Cafe.
Sunday, Monday, Thursday & Saturday at 4:45pm
Wednesday at 9:55, 10:40 & 11:40am
Length of sets: ?? minutes


Kathy

I would love it if they brought CarsLand...not sure where theu would fit it!

Oh the Hoedown sounds fun! My crowd is very anti parade but still sounds fun. I love those Country Bears even though my kids don't have a clule who they are.

 

[KathyRN137]

I would love it if they brought CarsLand...not sure where theu would fit it!

...How about replacing the Tomorrowland Indy Speedway with CarsLand? That attraction seems rather tired. The theme would pretty much be the same, right? (And no fumes, either!)


Kathy

 

[eandesmom]

...How about replacing the Tomorrowland Indy Speedway with CarsLand? That attraction seems rather tired. The theme would pretty much be the same, right? (And no fumes, either!)


Kathy

That's brilliant! Jeff whined about how lame (read SLOW) the speedway was. Poor Eric never got to ride it as that was the night I made him go to bed early while the rest went out. It seems CRAZY not to have Cars there!

 

[KathyRN137]

Love the BBB pic! Time sure flies, doesn't it?

Wanted to tell you that Jeff and I walked in the Walk Now for Autism fundraising walk this past Saturday. His company was a major corporate sponsor. Although I don't know anyone personally affected by autism, I was thinking of Billy, Scrappie's Michael and Amy's Alex as I walked. Thanks so much for sharing your awesome kids with us!

Missy, your post made me feel like sharing this essay:



Everyone Has Autism

By William Stillman

Ever awaken in the middle of the night and realize your arm is “asleep” from the elbow down? It is a common situation experienced by nearly everyone at one time or another. As much as your brain is willing that arm to budge, it is deadened to the signals or impulses your brain is sending it. How many of you have actually had to physically move the asleep arm with your other hand in order to free up circulation and regain its use? If that same nightime paralysis were in more than one limb, or lodged in your voicebox, you would outwardly behave in ways that were autistic, just like any of autism’s “cousins” such as Asperger’s Syndrome, dyslexia, Tourette’s, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, Cerebral Palsy, Lou Gehrig’s, ADD, ADHD, OCD, Sensory Integration Disorder, and a realm of other human experiences on a neurological continuum.

I’ve heard people refer to autistic children as “mutants” or functioning on par with a dog! This is hard to fathom when we consider that we are all more alike than we are different, and we all are truly brothers of one another. It is this kind of fear that the multi-billion dollar autism industry is founded upon—hastily, intensively, erasing all traces of autism in favor of normalcy. But in my work as an autism consultant, 90 percent of what I endeavor has absolutely nothing to do with the autistic one; it has everything to do with creating a transformation in everyone around that individual!

Noteworthy about those who would suggest that anything less than their perception of normal is unworthy, is that they fail to recognize a truth: at the present rate of autism statistics (one in 150 children and counting), it is they who will soon be the minority if they’re not first rendered “disabled” by virtue of genetics, deteriorating health, poor lifestyle choices and the aging process. They would surely wish for others to continue presuming their intellect regardless of the physical transformation their bodies will endure (which may cause them outwardly to present in an autistic-like manner).

The curious thing is we all have autism to one degree or another! We’ve all experienced neurological crossed-wires that result in motor-control blips, misfires and disconnects. You experienced an “autism” if you’ve:

driven from Point A to Point B, but upon arriving at Point B you have no recollection of the drive.

begun driving from Point A with Point B as your final destination, but today you need to make a special stop to pick up something or someone—and you end up driving your regular route, having forgotten to make the detour.
been driving along, and hear a song you like with the intention of listening all the way through, but soon realize your mind has wandered and you haven’t heard a word of it.

been driving along and hear a song you haven’t heard since high school—and experiencing the song immediately conjures memories of that era in your life. We create a strong associative connection in the same way with scents and smells we link in memory to certain people and places (a food aroma, cologne or perfume, or tobacco), as well as life-defining events such as an accident, a birth or death, or a disaster of some sort (you could probably relate details about where you were and what you were doing on September 11, 2001).

happened upon someone familiar while out shopping, but seeing them out of the context in which you know them disables you from recollecting their name on the spot and in the moment (although it may come to you after you’ve had sufficient process time).

had to physically retrace your steps in order to remember something, or you’ve misplaced something you suddenly realize you’ve been holding the whole time you’ve been searching for it (a pair of scissors or your eyeglasses).

lost track of time or self-awareness (no need to eat or use the bathroom) while immersed in an activity for which you hold great passion (painting, jogging, dancing, gardening, etc.).

had a case of the giggles so severe that you could not regain your composure until the experience ran its course.

ever been so angry, or afraid, and words escaped you in the moment.

absolutely had to scratch an itch and could not focus on anything else until you were so relieved.

calmed your anxiety by biting your nails, tapping a pen, shaking your leg, rocking yourself, twirling strands of your hair or toying with a piece of jewelry, or talking or humming to yourself.

experienced uncontrollable shivers so intensely that your teeth chattered involuntarily.

struggled to decipher the meaning of certain words in the appropriate context, such as “she shed a tear over the tear in her new dress.”

organized your items in your kitchen cupboards, bathroom, work space, or clothes closet in alphabetical order (canned good with labels facing out), by color-coordination, or at right angles.

come in from frigid weather and your hands are so numb with cold, you could not use them to hold an eating utensil, write longhand, or unbutton your coat.

had a song in your head that absolutely will not go away! It may be The Star-Spangled Banner, a commercial jingle, or a Barry Manilow tune. You may have even been awakened in the middle of the night hearing the song you cannot seem to banish. Imagine if that experience of being “stuck” with the song in your head (which precludes your thought processes) transferred throughout your body, or stuck in your throat and hindered your vocalizations?

These common experiences—“brain fades” or instances in which our body vetoes brain signals—affect us all, making us kindred in our humanity. But if you did them with any degree of regularity, you’d be eligible for an autism diagnosis! The next time someone suggests an autistic person’s hand-flapping or finger-flickering is maladaptive, gently remind them that they do it too, only it looks like the times they sit and shake a leg!

As much as we are all on a learning curve about autism (including some “experts” in the medical community), we are also all on a curve of diversity in our collective human experience. This begs the question: is there really any such thing as “normal?” Just maybe autism isn’t really as autistic as it seems.


© 2008, William Stillman

William Stillman is speaker, consultant, self-advocate and author of numerous autism and special needs parenting books. His Website is www.williamstillman.com.



Kathy

 

[eandesmom]

That was beautiful Kathy, thank you so much for sharing it!

 

[PracPerfPatricia]

Hey Kathy,

I haven't been on the boards for the last day or two but I just had to pipe in...(I'm on my way to back to school night for David ironically...)

That was great...and such a great way to put it...

a friend of mine was having her son testing at Univer of PA hospital and the neurologist she was speaking to told her...

"every single one of us is on the spectrum whether or not we get a diagnosis or not...it's just a matter of how much... but on any given day we ALL can exhibit autistic behaviours/feelings..."

so thanks for posting that...

gotta run for now...

be back later....

 

[jess98ac]

What a great article, thank you for sharing it. I guess I never looked at things that way before...but my co-workers are always "yelling" at me to stop tapping my feet and clicking my pen!

 

[JPFamilyMom]

Thanks for sharing that Kathy, that might really help some others understand some of my sons behaviors more.

 

[DisMomAmy]

Love the BBB pic! Time sure flies, doesn't it?

Wanted to tell you that Jeff and I walked in the Walk Now for Autism fundraising walk this past Saturday. His company was a major corporate sponsor. Although I don't know anyone personally affected by autism, I was thinking of Billy, Scrappie's Michael and Amy's Alex as I walked. Thanks so much for sharing your awesome kids with us!

Just want to hijack for a moment...

Thanks for thinking of us Missy!!

Hijack over!! (I guess if I kept up with my own report I would have to do that... )

 

[KathyRN137]

That was beautiful Kathy, thank you so much for sharing it!

Hey Kathy,
...a friend of mine was having her son testing at Univer of PA hospital and the neurologist she was speaking to told her...

"every single one of us is on the spectrum whether or not we get a diagnosis or not...it's just a matter of how much... but on any given day we ALL can exhibit autistic behaviours/feelings..."

so thanks for posting that...

What a great article, thank you for sharing it. I guess I never looked at things that way before...but my co-workers are always "yelling" at me to stop tapping my feet and clicking my pen!

Thanks for sharing that Kathy, that might really help some others understand some of my sons behaviors more.

You are all very welcome!

(BTW, the author has Asperger's Syndrome.)

Pretty cool, huh?

Just want to hijack for a moment...

Thanks for thinking of us Missy!!

Hijack over!! (I guess if I kept up with my own report I would have to do that... )

Hi Amy!


Kathy

 

[DisMomAmy]

Thanks for sharing Kathy! I've know that I have autism for a while now. And Alex accuses Tim of having it all the time. He said to me, "I think Daddy has autism too." When I asked him why, he said, "Because he says mean stuff to me!"

Not that I think it's funny that Alex associates saying mean stuff with autism, but since he's figured out how to label it, he blames all of his 'not so good' behavior on autism.

 

[KathyRN137]

... since he's figured out how to label it, he blames all of his 'not so good' behavior on autism.

Sometimes it (autism) takes on a life of its own. How many times have I heard Tricia say, "I hate Autism," as if it was a mean person living in our house ...


Kathy

 

[JPFamilyMom]

Wanted to tell you that Jeff and I walked in the Walk Now for Autism fundraising walk this past Saturday. His company was a major corporate sponsor. Although I don't know anyone personally affected by autism, I was thinking of Billy, Scrappie's Michael and Amy's Alex as I walked. Thanks so much for sharing your awesome kids with us!

Thanks for doing that. I'm doing the walk next month in Nashville, but haven't found any sponsors but still trying. Also doing a local Autism walk to benefit the city I live in. Every little bit helps right



Kathy- That is cool that the author of that article has Aspergers makes it more relatable, would like to share that with my group of Moms(with different children on different places on the spectrum) here where I live if that is ok.

 

[SwansLoveDisney]

Thanks for sharing that essay, Kathy. I think it puts things into terms that people who are unfamiliar with autism can understand.