Hi-5!
How do you explain death to a child on the autism spectrum?
GrandPaPa passed away the day after Grandparents Day!
Yesterday, Autism could not dull, hinder, or hamper our son's socialization skills!
Arriving at his GrandPaPa's house, he immediately notices that Grandpa is not sitting on the porch. So, after quietly standing outside (and listening) as Dad talked with family and neighbors, he comes running in ...
I WANT GRANDPAPA, our 5 year old son runs through his grandpa's home 'requesting'. No he did not say a word(this time) - this is his way of looking for someone. He literally LOOKS FOR THEM!
No GrandPaPa. We know he is thinking about his 'routine'...WHEN WILL WE HANDSHAKE AND HI-5!?
Ok, GranPaPa is not home?... let's ....
Yesterday, Autism could not dull, hinder, or hamper our son's socialization skills!
He laughed as he initiated playing with his 'sad' cousins. Ranging from 17 months to 12 years old, our cheerful son, who is diagnosed with autism, adjusted play to suit each one of them. He even engaged in one-on-one time! Playing hide-and-seek, crawling like a snail, not standing in front of the tv;snacking, toileting; and just simply laughing, our son enjoyed his family!
AND THEY ENJOYED HIM, TOO!
As we said our goodbyes, OUR SON HUGGED ALL OF HIS AUNTS, COUSINS,...!
NO CRYING!
NO SCREAMING!
NO SENSORY OVERLOAD!
NO DON'T TOUCH ME!
NO HIDING!
NO LOOKING AWAY!
JUST ENJOYMENT!
Well! He picked a good time to prove that 'lack of social interaction theory' WRONG!
Our kids on the autism spectrum do have and express an array of feelings, not just anger. They do sense others feelings, too.
Thank you son for being a bright light in the midst of sorrow!
So VALUABLE!
Of course with all of that giving and sharing, our son slept during the entire ride home.
But, we still need help with how to explain to him this abstract concept of death.
He is still looking for his Grandma who passed in Thanksgiving '08!
What do we tell him when we visit today, Sunday..., for the next Saints football game against San Francisco..., for GrandPaPa's birthday..., for Thanksgiving..., for Christmas?!
Let's keep believing in and hoping for our loved ones on the autism spectrum!
ENJOY!
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