autism from the heart a mother’s unique perspective
DESCRIPTION
Introduction Bringing out the stars!TRANSCRIPT
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
Hits skyrocket on site!
45,000
70,000
80,000
100,000
30.6
38.6
34.6
31.6
45.9
46.9
45
43.9
0 20,000 40,000 60,000 80,000 100,000 120,000
wek 1
week 2
week 3
4th Qtr
Dec Jan Feb mar
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.”