autism from the heart a mother’s unique perspective

Autism From The Heart

A Mother’s Unique Perspective

Introduction

Bringing out the stars!

Within Each Star Gemstone

• Chatoyancy, a phenomena!

• In each star gem, many flaws called “silk” line up to form magical “stars” that float on the surface of the stones. Without these imperfections, there would be no star!

Within Each Special Child

• It is our job as parents, educators and professionals to bring out the “stars” in these wonderful people.

What Brought Me Here• Roots• Air Force• Gemology• Jonathan Autism• Near Death• Alexander• Autism Career

Life is For The Living!

• Insert picture of me jumping out of plane

United States Air Force

This is me

Gemology

• Insert gemology picture

Jonathan Autism

Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome

Early Warning Signs! 

• Discovering the truth early will provide the best outcome for a child on the autism

spectrum as well as the people that surround them.

• Learn to see through the camouflage of this

“invisible disability”.

Mini Autism Spectrum Quiz

Are you wondering whether a pre-school aged child youknow may have an Autism Spectrum Disorder such as a typeof Autism or Asperger's (pronounced Ass-burgers)Syndrome?

The quiz is in your notes and on the website:

www.autismtoday.com

If you answer yes to three or more of these questions, havethem checked out by a professional who is recommended byyour local Autism Society.

Near Death

• Picture of me in hosp – real yucky one

Alexander

• Picture of Alex as baby

Autism Career Beginnings

• Little Rainman• Keen Education Foundation• Exceptional Resources, Inc.• Keys To The Treasure Chest• AUTISMToday.com

Little RainmanAutism Through The Eyes of a Child

Most Recent Testimonial“Little Rainman shows that autism can be seen and

understood by everyone. After reading this book full of miraculous pictures, I feel greater love,

compassion and understanding of a situation that somehow touches us all sooner or later.”

Mark Victor Hansen, Co-creator, #1 New York Times

best-selling series Chicken Soup for the Soul

First Paragraph

• My name is Jonathan. I have autism (aw-tis-um). My nose looks the same as other people’s and my ears and eyes do too. Except that I can see and hear a lot better than most people. My brain thinks different. Some things I do better, like reading and copying; other things I do worse, like making friends.

More Career

• KEEN Education Foundation• Exceptional Resources• Keys To The Treasure Chest• Autism Today.com

Keen Education Foundationsince 1996

Exceptional Resources, Inc

com

Heartwarming Autism StoriesNathan Ory, Resident Psychologist, Behavior Specialist

Mark Victor Hansen, Robert Allen and me Autism Artwork – looking for more

Maria Wheeler and Vicki Harris

Nathan Ory and me

Life At Home

• Parenting Style Differences• Feelings• Autism, Literally!• Acum Razor• Picking Battles• Sibling Resiliency and Solutions

Parenting Differences

• Jim and Karen

Same Page?Not even same media!

The whole Mars…Venus thing, special needs parents can be more like Jupiter and Mercury!

Divorce Rate High, 80%Brianna Seigel's notes an 80% divorce rate for parents of autistic children.

Demonstrates struggles parents face!

Feelings

• Hugging as baby• Hurt as mother –wave bye• Reading facial expression• Not showing emotions or read other• Hamburger Sabotage• Careful not to laugh “at” rather with

Facial Expression

Autism…Literally Speaking

To some autistic folks, “pie in the sky” literally means this!

Toasting the bride means to “pop her in the toaster”!

Clear Deodorant Series

• I came home to find Jonny naked, sopping wet, glistening from head to toe with clear deodorant.

Clear Deodorant Series

• I said "Jonathan, what on earth are you doing?

Clear Deodorant Series

He said, "huh, I just wanted to see if it worked, mom".

"If what worked, Jonathan?”

Clear Deodorant Series

He picked up the deodorant and said

"well, it says provides protection against wetness, so I got in the tub to see if it worked!

Understanding Humor

Why is 6 scared of 7?

Acum’s Razor

If the bed squeaks, that means the springs need oil!

Picking Our Battles

• Knives• Socks• Fire in backyard• Computer time• Standing up to dad

Sibling Resiliency and Solutions• Getting along at home….or not!• Protection of special siblings feelings• Understanding fair• Cartoon Therapy• Red Lobster

Cartoon Therapy• Insert SLIDE

Life At School

• Inappropriate Behavior• Collaboration• Invisible Disability• Learning vs. Testing• Labels• Transitions• Relentless Persistence

Mooning Mr P…….

• Insert Cartoon SLIDE• In front of the rest of the class!

Bus Story, Dear Pat…

Bugs me 99.9%Leftover chocolate puddingGang up on meSupreme targetGay not meaning happyRelease tension

A Great School of Inclusion

• It helps to be part of a win-win team

• All player common goal…the child.

Social Stories Work

SLIDE JUMPING OUT OF PLANE

New Social Story Book

Carol Gray…Social Story Book and Video

Invisible Disability

• Some disabilities aren’t visibly evident. They look the same, but are they?

Learning vs. Testing

• Double edge sword • Funding• Plan for future• Funding• Adjust, Jonny, time and

type, he loves it!

Testing for Giftedness

Jonny HFA key to future independence

Man testing used rapport by talking about Jonny's favorite things, computer games.

Choose Best Tools

Choose proper evaluation toolsRemain sensitive to obstaclesthat skew results: • time limits• distractibility

Managing Behaviors Chart

• Chart, What happened before & after• Meaning behind behavior• Alternate Behavior• How reinforce/teach alt behavior• Comments

Labels Are Important

• Labels good and bad• Cat & Dog slide• Operations Manual• Value of right label,

example of bird story

Transitions

• Going to grade 7• On/off computer• Preparing ahead of time• Provide list of structured activities

Going to Grade 7Planning for next year

Visit ahead of time

Talk to coordinator

Aid to follow?

Bussing

Relentless Persistence, Doing Whatever It Takes!

Boy planting seeds Making it work, no matter what

Life In Between

• Football• Peers• Marriage• Extended Family• Intensive Support Program• Self Esteem and Attitudinal Healing

Football

• Visible & Disability – no excuse• Melt down on field• Don’t want to play, Coach Rob• Going to Bathroom before• Stupid penalties• More disabilities….more abilities

Jonny and Stephen 2 tired bro’s

Jonny on the field

Jonny with his teammates

Picture of Cougar’s (Jonny Team)

Jonny

Situations with Peers

Boy at schoolRest of classDad say beat him up

Mrs. L’s email to Jonny

• The truth…the whole truth• He annoys me• He makes fun of me• He falsely accuses me

Stephen & Alex good friend

Marriage

• Bringing the “wife” home• The wife giving “sex”

Picture of Jonny and his wife

Millinium Place

• Loves swimming• Playing in the gym• His eye

Extended Family

• Grandparents• Aunts and Uncles• Peers

Intensive Support Program Jonny & Alex

• Verbal outbursts• Biting, hitting• Interrupting• Chore completion• Odd behavior (lips, eye movement)• Chart for chores

Self Esteem, Attitudinal Healing

• Spiritual Thought Meditation• Forgiveness is key• Live in the now• Take time for me• Say good-bye to guilt

H O P E O N T H E H O R I Z O N

• RAISE AWARENESS• EMPATHY SKILLS• ADULT COPING• BEHAVIOR TOOLS• EXPLAIN AUTISM• BREAK CEILINGS – RES IPSA• MEET OUR FAMILY

RAISE AWARENESS

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EMPATHY SKILLS

ADULT COPING - 4 C’s of Coping

• Cease what your doing• Control existing feelings• Choose new feelings• Commence later• Detach from outcome

BEHAVIOR TOOLS - Essential Behavior Tips

• Teach independence• Empower them don’t do their work• Let them solve their own battles

EXPLAIN AUTISM

• What Does It Mean To Me• I Am Special• Emergence, Labeled Autistic

BREAK CEILINGS – RES IPSA

Res Ipsa Loquiture

• Dream of Oprah• Picture of Doris…advocate. Poet• Got a contact. • Word got out, the thing itself speaks

Oprah request

Be Proactive – Break Ceilings!

Meet Our Family

ConclusionLike precious gems, our children with

different – abilities are on this earth to be loved and cared for. They also teach the rest

of us empathy, compassion and understanding.

Conclusion

• As Albert Einstein says”

“No problem can be solved from the same consciousness that created it. We must learn to see the world anew.”