World of Autism

Lucas has taken various medications throughout his life. 

Whether it was to help with the physical problems he had at birth, to help his sleep issues, to assist in his toilet training or to gain some control over his hyperactivity, I’m very grateful that we had the option of connsidering different meds, and that Lucas had doctors who were alway willing to listen to us, and to try and do what was best for Lucas.

I still remember taking a Risperdal (Risperidone) study to his neurologist, and asking her to please read it because I wanted her to put Lucas on it (this was wayyyy back when no one was using it for autism).  She read the study (an early one by Dr. Chris McDougle et al, then at Yale), and agreed to write the prescription. 

Within a few months, she was pleased to report that many of her autistic patients were doing quite well on Risperidone!  Thank God she was open-minded enough to read something brought to her by a parent, and to act on it.

Lucas isn’t the only one who’s benefitted from modern medicine.  I can now keep up with him thanks to a new hip!

How many times have you been having a REALLY bad day, and you turn on the radio to hear your favorite song?  Or to hear a song that described exactly what you’re feeling?

What a refuge music is.  From the strains of anything by Tchiakowsky to the blues of Clapton, from the jaw dropping amazement of a Danny Gatton guitar solo to the humor of Weird Al Yankovic, music is truly a gift from God.

 So before the rush of travel, cooking and chaos begins, spend at least five minutes today getting down to your favorite sounds!

Lucas has been home sick this week (bronchitis), and I don’t know how we would have survived without our home computer!  He’s looked things up to make a Christmas list, played games and managed to sit still (and rest) at the same time.

I, on the other hand, have been able to set my laptop up right across the kitchen from him, to continue working while he’s been home ill.

Where would we be without computers?  They connect us to the world, enable us to check out new research, find doctors and even check the latest medical treatments in the world of autsm.  And of course, they help us to keep in touch with those we love, too (like our son Robert in Pittsburgh, and my husband when he’s at work). 

So I’m very thankful for the home computer.

I thought I’d mention during this week before Thanksgiving that something I’m reallly thankful for is a sense of humor.  Laughter is very important, and it seems that many people have forgotten how to laugh today (they seem way too ready to get offended instead!)

It doesn’t matter if you’re on the giving or receiving end, the ability to find the humor in a situation is crucial to enjoying life, especially in the world of autism (which is why our funny autism awareness products are so popular!)

When I find life weighing heavily upon me, I try to remember that people in far more serious situations than me have managed to find the laughter.  So I leave you with the words of Golda Meir, and a smile:

“Moses wandered 40 years through the desert to bring us to the one place in the Middle East that has no oil…”  (oy vey)

Today I’m thankful for two things, my family and the kindness of others:

For my family.  My husband Alan is the greatest, doing whatever he can to help out.  Like Atticus Finch, Alan is a man of honor who always tries to do the right thing, whether at home or at work.

I miss my oldest son, Robert, who is living on his own now, far away.  Robert has a huge heart (which gets him hurt sometimes), and a quick wit that can make me burst out laughing. Once he finds his way in life I have no doubt he, too, will be a man of honor, honesty and integrity, following in his dad’s and grandfathers’ footsteps.  I’m proud to know him, and thankful to be his mom.

I’m thankful for my autistic son, Lucas, without whom I wouldn’t have met the most amazing people in the world over the years.  Lucas teaches me far more than I could ever teach him, about patience, about what’s really important in life, and about rejoicing in the little things.

For the kindness of people like Lori Simpson.  LucasWorks was invited to sell our products at a large event in Virginia.  I forgot my calculator and Lori was kind enough to lend me hers for the day.  I’m thankful to Lori and everyone like her who offers help to others, be they friends or strangers.  They make living in the world of autism so much nicer.

Thanksgiving is just 9 days away, so it’s time to focus on giving thanks for all we have.  I thought I’d share “what I’m thankful for” every day for the next week.  Then by next Wednesday, I’ll be full of happy, grateful thoughts, and ready to truly give thanks at our Thanksgiving dinner table.

I’m thankful for:  Teachers!

For Lucas’ teachers, Miss Paula, Miss Cammie and Mrs. Howard, along with his Speech Pathologist Miss Tammy, and his Vocational teacher, Miss Bonnie. 

There’s no question that without the above waarriors against autism (and all his previous ones), with their patience, dedication and sense of humor, Lucas would be forever caught without even a voice in the world of autism.

For my teacher, Cricket Walker at GNC Web Creations.  Cricket offers comprehensive classes FREE OF CHARGE on everything from Website Marketing to Seach Engine Optimization to learning HTML and CSS coding.  It’s pretty safe to say that without her, our LucasWorks site would be non-existant!

In addition to running her business, raising her family, and having a REALLY bad year, Cricket takes the time to answer questions and offer help when someone gets stuck on a lesson.

THANK YOU to all y’all for giving to others; you make more of a difference than you will ever know, and you surely have a straight shot into Heaven.

Well, we had to set the clocks back last night.  That means our whole weekend revolved around making sure that Lucas would be ready to get up and go to school on time this morning.

You know, we thought we’d have trouble with Lucas adjusting to the time change; we usually do.

Guess what?  Lucas was fine!  IT WAS THE CAT WHO WOKE THE REST OF US UP AN HOUR EARLY, crying for FOOD!

We plan and God laughs, sigh…

The TV show “Criminal Minds” just started, and the opening is about a child who goes missing at the local mall.

The very first thing that security asks the parents for is a recent photograph and description of the child.

THIS is exactly why I try so hard to convince parents to carry ID for their children!  It’s just not enough to keep ID on the child, or to keep ID with YOU.  Parents need to do both, and to do ALL!!

No one ever wants to think that it will happen to their child.  I used to be like that, until autism happened to my child!  That did it; it proved that the unthinkable CAN happen, with no warning.

This is why LucasWorks carries a Child ID Kit selection for every kind of child.  There are also many other companies online that have various types of ID products.  The important thing is to GET IT and PUT IT WHERE YOU, POLICE, FIRE AND RESCUE WILL FIND IT.

My husband, our son Robert, Lucas himself, his grandparents and I ALL carry a Child ID card with Lucas’ info (including his photo, fingerprint, medical info and an emergency treatment authorization on them).  We have an ID card in each car, Velcro’d into the door of the glove box.

That way, no matter:

Where we are,
Who Lucas is with,
Which car we take,
What state we’re in (geographically or mentally),

and no matter what happens:

Car accident,
Terrorist attack,
Hurricane,
Lucas runs off, gets lost or worse,

we know we can get his information to the people who need it right away.  Lucas also wears an ID tag on his belt loop at all times.

I urge you to think about all the places your child may be, and all the people they might be with.  Then consider if each of those situations has the information they would need to help your child if any of the above happened.

We attended an Autism Walk last Saturday in Manassas, VA.  It was a very nice day, with perfect weather for a walk.  Lucas, his dad and I were at this walk, not to walk but as vendors, selling our Safety, ID, Independent Living and Autism Awareness products.

We spent the night at Grammy and Grampa’s house in Virginia, and then were up, dressed in our LucasWorks Autism Awareness t-shirts, and out the door by 7:30.  We arrived at the Walk location around 8:15.  Lucas and Alan unloaded the van while I found us the perfect table.

Lucas has gone with us to some of these walks, and he usually has a pretty good time.  He’s beginning to grasp that this is part of “work”, and that he’ll get paid for doing his job for the day.  Of course, his job is explained in great detail, and usually consists of:

1. Wearing an Autism Awareness shirt, and modeling it when asked to (standing up, opening his jacket and being still so someone can read the shirt.)
2. Helping bring our supplies in at the beginning of the event, and helping take them back to the car afterwards.
3. Not whining, complaining or making noises.
4. Helping dad get food and/or drink for Mom while she’s too busy to get any!

This is a LOT for Lucas to keep track of in a strange environment full of noise and people, but he does pretty well, now that he’s gone to a few of them.

Of course, sometimes Lucas just needs to MOVE!  He can’t sit there all day waiting to do something.  So Alan spends a good portion of these events keeping an eye on when Lucas needs to get up and move around.   He’ll take Lucas out to walk around and look at things, or go browse the other vendor tables, helping Lucas to say “Hey” to diffferent people he sees.

Lucas did really well at the Autism Walk, and got paid for his good job.  I think he really likes that part of working for LucasWorks!

Living in the world of autism means that the Special Olympics of Delaware is a regular part of life for Lucas and us.  Each year at school, time is devoted to learning, practicing and enjoying different sports, all to prepare for a special Olympics event.

The Soccer Skills competition was this week.  There was a nice opening ceremony, with a classmate of Lucas’ helping to sing the National Anthem, a torch ceremony with our local police departments, and a bunch of speeches (because everyone wants to get in on the act!)

Even though I know this child of mine better than anyone, he can still surprise me with things he’s learned.  His job in this event was to “dribble” the ball with his feet around various cones, then to kick the ball between the goal posts.

As you can see, he knew to take little steps, and did quite well, in spite of those big ol’ feet!

Lucas didn’t win the gold, Silver or even the Bronze, but he sure did have a great time.  He helped to cheer other students on (with a litle encouragement from me), did his best when his turn came, and surprised me again by showing his skills on a soccer field.

Later this year, he’ll participate in bowling, basketball and his favorite, roller skating.  What a great way for him to learn sports, get some excercise, practice sportsmanship AND social skills (cheering, taking turns, waiting patiently, working together, etc.)

I can’t wait!