Feb. 25, 2006 - just some thoughts
2/23/06 - thoughts on swinging and language development
I have an itch to write. To get some thoughts down.
Today I started to re-read a book about autism written by a mom who "saved" her child from autism's evil clutches. There are several on the market. I don't know why I picked it up. I don't like it. I don't like it because, it's so detached, self congratulatory and fake sounding all at the same time. How can you write about your own child without a little sentimentality? Well, I can't.
Just as I was beginning to realize I in fact, did not want to read it again, my little son bounced up to me. "Swing??" Big blue eyes, an impish grin. "Swing?? Swing??" Who could say no?
Less than a minute later I was downstairs pushing him on the swing we had installed in our basement.
We had bought and installed the swing over a year ago at the advice of my son's old occupational therapist in early intervention. He was thrilled with it and dragged me over constantly to swing him. He wasn't talking at the time. I had recently read in one of the many therapy books on the market, that I should try to use his requests to coax him into talking. "Say swing." Grunt, tug pull, imploring eyes. I "modeled" the word again- "swing." More animated pulling, the beginning of tears. "Ok, I'll swing you." I gave in before the temper tantrum would have inevitably began. Maybe I'm a little too soft hearted. We didnt keep up with that method long. Yet here we are, a year later, and he says "swing", and a host full of other one word requests, without coaxing or forcing at all.
Sometimes now, I do say no. No to cookies before breakfast. No to the same video three times a day. No to going outside at 9pm. He often cries and keeps asking, but he is getting better at accepting the word no.
Although I think many things that we have exposed him to has helped him to go from nonverbal, to one word requests, I cannot pinpoint one specific miracle therapy or technique that got him from there to here. I can tell you what didn't work. I have a shelf of books that describe what didn't work.
You know my favorite new word of Pete's??
Jesus. like music to my ears- he says it whenever he sees a crucifix or cross.
Comments
Feb. 26, 2006 - I know what you mean ...
Posted by 3feistykids
Like you, I don't like books like that which seem smug and self-congratulatory, or offer a description of how autism was "cured." I think most people experience progress through a series of small miracles rather than some sort of therapeutic Road to Damascus experience :-). Just from reading your post, I can see those small miracles working in your life ... in the way your child joyfully asked for the swing and in his blossoming love for Jesus. I can see that you've done so much for the kids - in nurturing and using available therapies, and the results seem to be unfolding in their own time. Obviously, I do not know you, I'm just sharing the feeling I get reading your post (for whatever it's worth).
Mar. 1, 2006 - i love it
Posted by Anonymous
I needed to hear what you wrote today about your son...so wonderful....thank you
Mar. 6, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by huffins
I am new to blogging and have been looking through some of them. I had not thought of what a great resource it would be to meet others with kids similar to mine til now! I have a 12 year old asperger son and a 4 year old autistic son. I have 7 children total and some have sensory disorders, some dont. Life can be crazy here for sure. It is just nice to be reminded Iam not alone in that!
Jul. 10, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Emily
I too, have a autistic son, he will be 4 pretty soon. And he loves the swing also, He was mostly nonverbal as far as requesting things (He does have echolalia pretty bad, he copies sounds like the telephone ringing, parts of conversations, or movies, stuff like that, so it is hard to figure out how much he really understands) went for a long time, until he started going to therapy and using the swing there. We would let him swing for a few minutes, then stop it, and try and get him to say "more", either the word or the gesture in sign language, at first the therapist had said to take anything he did as that he did it(as in if he made a noise, moved his hands even a little, or if he would at least look at one of us), and if he did what we wanted him to do, or at least tried, then he got what he wanted (more swing),after a while of working with him that way, he started first by only looking at us, then he moved up to making the gesture, then the gesture and a sound, and now he can say the word "more". then we moved on to using it for other things, like more food, more drink, stuff like that.
It was very hard for me to not give in to him, in the beginning, knowing that he didn't understand why I was doing it, and having those terrible tantrums of his. I did not always have the strength to not give in either, honestly, some days are harder than others. But, after about 6 months of this, he is finally having less tantrums and less severe tantrums, also, the more that he is able to communicate, the less his frustration is too. My son is now able to say a few one or sometimes 2 word requests, and I finally know that he really knows his colors now, too.
I guess my point is, after saying all that up above, is hang in there, some days will be hard, some easier, but you will see progress, when he is ready for it, is all.
If you ever have a need to talk, or a bad day or something, email me, if you like. God bless you and have a good week.
Jul. 10, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Emily
I too, have a autistic son, he will be 4 pretty soon. And he loves the swing also, He was mostly nonverbal as far as requesting things (He does have echolalia pretty bad, he copies sounds like the telephone ringing, parts of conversations, or movies, stuff like that, so it is hard to figure out how much he really understands) went for a long time, until he started going to therapy and using the swing there. We would let him swing for a few minutes, then stop it, and try and get him to say "more", either the word or the gesture in sign language, at first the therapist had said to take anything he did as that he did it(as in if he made a noise, moved his hands even a little, or if he would at least look at one of us), and if he did what we wanted him to do, or at least tried, then he got what he wanted (more swing),after a while of working with him that way, he started first by only looking at us, then he moved up to making the gesture, then the gesture and a sound, and now he can say the word "more". then we moved on to using it for other things, like more food, more drink, stuff like that.
It was very hard for me to not give in to him, in the beginning, knowing that he didn't understand why I was doing it, and having those terrible tantrums of his. I did not always have the strength to not give in either, honestly, some days are harder than others. But, after about 6 months of this, he is finally having less tantrums and less severe tantrums, also, the more that he is able to communicate, the less his frustration is too. My son is now able to say a few one or sometimes 2 word requests, and I finally know that he really knows his colors now, too.
I guess my point is, after saying all that up above, is hang in there, some days will be hard, some easier, but you will see progress, when he is ready for it, is all.
If you ever have a need to talk, or a bad day or something, email me, if you like. God bless you and have a good week.
Nov. 15, 2006 - hey
Posted by bubba
my moms got 8 kids on her hands belive me
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