01-28-2008, 05:41 PM
In the other thread, I mentioned that my younger son, Trevor, is 17 years old, and autistic. He's a wonderful boy, full of fun and laughter, inquisitive, and loves to show off whatever new thing he has or has discovered. He is also a very complicated boy, with strengths in certain areas that may surprise somebody who doesn't know him well (computers, receptive communication, etc.), but he has challenges with his speech skills, and sometimes his behavior. He is in fact mildly mentally retarded, functioning in most areas as a six- or seven year-old might. But he has his strengths, too.
Trevor has taught me many valuable lessons as a father: patience, unconditional love, appreciation for simple things like a smile and a cuddle, respect for people with disabilities of all kinds, and I could go on. Perhaps more than anything else, I learned from Trevor that the difficulties in life are sometimes a mystery to be experienced, not a problem to be solved. He is dear to me in many ways, and I love him every bit as much (if not more) than his older brother.
The schools here on the mainland are hit-or-miss; some special ed. programs are good, some are not. The state of California has mandated many services for special ed. students, but unless you know what the law requires, the school administrators won't volunteer any legally-required service that they're not already providing, unless you threaten them with a lawsuit.
There is a Regional Center for kids with disabilities, and they assign a case worker to help you navigate the maze of neurologists, behavioral and speech therapists, getting into a school with a good special ed. program, providing respite care for parents, etc., etc.
We took sigh language classes to help Trevor communicate, and he signs perhaps 100 different words. That helped quite a bit with his behavioral issues...he gets very frustrated when he can't get his idea across to you. The more communication, the better, but it's a struggle.
I could go on. As I said, Trevor is a complicated, wonderful boy.
Aloha to you, Mei, and to your son. Blessings to you for the work that you have done, and continue to do. People like you make the world a better place for kids with autism and asperger's.
Aloha! ;-)
Trevor has taught me many valuable lessons as a father: patience, unconditional love, appreciation for simple things like a smile and a cuddle, respect for people with disabilities of all kinds, and I could go on. Perhaps more than anything else, I learned from Trevor that the difficulties in life are sometimes a mystery to be experienced, not a problem to be solved. He is dear to me in many ways, and I love him every bit as much (if not more) than his older brother.
The schools here on the mainland are hit-or-miss; some special ed. programs are good, some are not. The state of California has mandated many services for special ed. students, but unless you know what the law requires, the school administrators won't volunteer any legally-required service that they're not already providing, unless you threaten them with a lawsuit.
There is a Regional Center for kids with disabilities, and they assign a case worker to help you navigate the maze of neurologists, behavioral and speech therapists, getting into a school with a good special ed. program, providing respite care for parents, etc., etc.
We took sigh language classes to help Trevor communicate, and he signs perhaps 100 different words. That helped quite a bit with his behavioral issues...he gets very frustrated when he can't get his idea across to you. The more communication, the better, but it's a struggle.
I could go on. As I said, Trevor is a complicated, wonderful boy.
Aloha to you, Mei, and to your son. Blessings to you for the work that you have done, and continue to do. People like you make the world a better place for kids with autism and asperger's.
Aloha! ;-)
Aloha! ;-)