11/30/10

It's just the littlest of things

Last week while my son and I were out playing in our first big snow storm of the year; I decided to take some pictures because he was having so much fun.  As usual when I grabbed the camera I prepared myself for 20 minutes of jumping around like a monkey to get his attention.  I went through the list of funny voices he likes and songs from favorite TV shows; all the tricks I'd gotten used to using in order to hopefully get one shot of those beautiful blue eyes looking toward the camera.  Responding to his name and making eye contact are two of the things that Autism took from him and over the last two years resulting in many a heartbreaking photo session.  One year I just gave up and took a picture of him sleeping in front of the tree for our Christmas card! 

11/23/10

Apple meet the Tree

Zander's Autism has really forced us to take an honest look at ourselves and has helped me not only understand our son a little better, it's helped me make a lot more sense of my own life over the years.  It's very probable that both my husband and I fit somewhere on the Autism spectrum ourselves.  It's brought us more patience and compassion not just with him but with each other and I think even ourselves.  I think we're learning to cut ourselves a little slack which is always a good thing.


Here are some things we have in common with our son the difference is that for him it's an extreme version of the characteristic:


I've always had trouble with eye contact mostly because I can't tell a lie to save my life.  My feelings are always written across my face and I'm always afraid if I look someone in the eye they will be able to see how I really feel.  

11/8/10

Let it Be

So my son can build the Seattle skyline out of toothpicks from memory, solve mysteries of quantum physics and play Mozart on the piano blindfolded with his left foot,
 OR...
maybe he could just be a 3 1/2 year old little boy who likes dinosaurs, snakes, Nemo and jumping in mud puddles! 

For the longest time we had to deal with peoples uncomfortable reaction to finding out Zander was Autistic, some acted like he was contagious or like we'd done something wrong, others acted like he was dying, a few evil people even thought it was funny, but now with all the media coverage over the last few years our society has actual become desensitized to it.  Now it's like, "Oh he's Autistic? So what? like it's no big deal "doesn't everyone know someone now who has it? or the opposite which is my favorite..."So what's he good at?  Autistic kids are genius at something right?  Does he paint or do those cool line sketches?  Oh is he a musical prodigy or can he solve the space time continuum and bring back Doc and the DeLorean?(Sorry to anyone who is under the age of 28 for that reference... Back to the Future... Go ahead Google it, you know you want to)

What happens if Zander just so happens to be an average little boy who happens to have Autism?