Today I observed something new and amazing. My son Jefferson who is almost six and has Autism, was flirting with a seven year old next door neighbor. He was swinging on the swing next to her, laughing and making eye contact.
Granted the conversation was about his obsession with herbs and spices (Ratatouie the Rat Movie), but she was following along.
Flash back to when he was two, Echolalia type speech was all I ever heard reciting dialogue from Toy Story and he would not look at anyone. Then age 2.9 the Early intervention specialists tell me there are some red flags indicating Autism. All I hoped for when he was 4 was the ability to have a back and forth conversation, about anything. By 5 he not only knocked that out of the park, he also had some real compassion and empathy towards others. The birth of his sister gave him a reason to pull out of his world and interact with another child.
Now he is seeking out and successfully making friends and being invited to other children's homes. I am starting to think further out towards his future now. Two years ago it would have been too overwhelming to even think about Jefferson's adulthood. Now I know that he will
continue to change and grow and surprise and awe everyone who loves him.
So Suck it Autism!
Flash back to when he was two, Echolalia type speech was all I ever heard reciting dialogue from Toy Story and he would not look at anyone. Then age 2.9 the Early intervention specialists tell me there are some red flags indicating Autism. All I hoped for when he was 4 was the ability to have a back and forth conversation, about anything. By 5 he not only knocked that out of the park, he also had some real compassion and empathy towards others. The birth of his sister gave him a reason to pull out of his world and interact with another child.
Now he is seeking out and successfully making friends and being invited to other children's homes. I am starting to think further out towards his future now. Two years ago it would have been too overwhelming to even think about Jefferson's adulthood. Now I know that he will
continue to change and grow and surprise and awe everyone who loves him.
So Suck it Autism!
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