Hi5! We are still just as excited about our 5 year old as the day when the doctor pronounced,"You're Pregnant!" Yep, we're still jumping for joy,and so is he! We are sharing our joy,disappointments,successes and challenges as a family with a child touched by AUTISM-a neurological condition considered a developmental disability.If you care to share, please do.Join us on Google Blogger/Reader/Buzz/orkut,hi5, digg,Facebook,Twitter,Yahoo!Buzz,YouTube,MySpace, holiday WordPress.ENJOY!KBJCosse'Family
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Social Interaction 101
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!
Sunday, September 12, 2010
HAPPY GRANDPARENTS DAY!
Hi-5!
What are you doing today to wish your GrandParents a wonderful day?
How are you expressing your love for your GrandParents?
We have written about how our son enjoys giving his GrandPaPa's handshakes and Hi-5! as his greeting.
Today, he will more than likely continue his routine of handshakes and Hi-5!
He will try over the phone with GrandMa, too.
For our son, this is his way of saying hello and goodbye.
For those who know about individuals on the autism spectrum, any form of greeting, touching and expression is WONDERFUL!
Happy GrandParents Day!
Happy VALUE Day! New Orleans Saints
Hi-5!
The NEW ORLEANS SAINTS football team is raffling off one of their Superbowl Champions Rings to support the Gulf Coast! This victory package also includes a vacation and payment of taxes associated with winning these luxury prizes. The proceeds of the Saints raffle benefit Gulf Coast relief efforts. The Saints Championship Ring was designed by a committee of the players, coaches and owners of the Saints NFL winning franchise team. This diamond bedazzled fleur-de-lis embedded bling bling of a ring is exclusively designed and produced by the world-renowned Tiffany & Co.! I guess this means the winner should expect the ring to be presented in a priceless Tiffany blue box, too!
New Orleans Saints and Tiffany & Co. 2010 Superbowl Champions RingSAINTS SUPERBOWL CHAMPIONS RING CEREMONY-youtube7-16-2010
This is one of the several efforts to help the Gulf Coast residents affected by the BP Oil and rig explosion over 5 months ago. Saints quarterback Drew Brees has also been promoting the Pepsi Challenge for the Gulf Coast, too.
We appreciate that the 2010 NFL Superbowl World Champions are giving back to their community. This Saints project will also benefit individuals with disabilities who live in the New Orleans metropolitan area along the Gulf Coast.
Gulf Coast area residents, schools, business owners and disability rights/advocacy and resource organizations are still recovering from the 2005 Hurricane Katrina. Leaving in the aftermath of this disaster has been challenging. With this oil rig explosion, now many seafood industry partners are in distress. This includes individuals with disabilities who depend on this vital revenue earning tourism market.
So, let's support our Happy VALUE Day! New Orleans Saints Gulf Coast Superbowl Ring Raffle! A version of this ring can be viewed and purchased at Tiffany & Co., the NFL Superbowl Championship Ring world-renowned designer and producer. Yes, Tiffany & Co. designed and produced the NFL Superbowl Champions sterling silver Vince Lombardi trophy, too!
Go to www.tiffany.com/saints for a fabulous New Orleans Saints Superbowl Champions Collection by Tiffany & Co.!
ENJOY!
New Orleans Saints Super Bowl ring raffle extended - New ...
The entry deadline for the New Orleans Saints Super Bowl ring raffle has been extended to 6 p.m. Sept. 20, when the team plays at the San Francisco 49ers, the Gulf ...Saints Super Bowl Ring Raffle Winner Announced
Posted Sep 20, 2010. By New Orleans Saints.com – Proceeds to be distributed through Gulf Renewal Fund - "The New Orleans Saints have announced the winner of the raffle for an official Super Bowl XLIV Championship Ring identical to the one that was awarded to the ownership, players, coaches and administrative staff that was custom designed by Tiffany and Co. to benefit those affected directly by the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Christopher S. Lynn of Hattiesburg, Mississippi is the winner of the ring. The Saints Gulf Coast Renewal Fund raised nearly $1.4 million through the raffle. To date the New Orleans Saints Gulf Coast Renewal Fund has already allocated $500,000 to local charities that are responding to the recent oil spill disaster."
"The raffle of the Super Bowl ring presented what is believed to be a never before offered opportunity for a football fan to win a piece of NFL history and to assist those most affected by the oil spill."
"The winner of the raffle, which was organized in partnership with the Celebrities for Charity Foundation and net.Raffle.org’s using their patented fundraising concepts and technologies, was selected through a random drawing conducted at 7:00 p.m. (CDT) and announced during ESPN’s Monday Night Football contest between the Saints and the San Francisco 49ers."
...,said New Orleans Saints Owner Tom Benson. "We sincerely thank all of the people who graciously donated their hard-earned money to the Saints Gulf Coast Renewal Fund and we, as an organization, take an immense amount of pride in helping to assist the people in the region that are directly impacted and need the support.”
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- Super Bowl champions New Orleans Saints beat Minnesota Vikings (guardian.co.uk)
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- NFL and NFL PLAYERS Offering Fans Chance to Bid on Brees and Favre Jerseys & Super Bowl and Pro Bowl Trips (prnewswire.com)
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- http://www.neworleanssaints.com
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patriots/595697-221/...
Friday, September 10, 2010
Enjoying Who Dat! Family time!
Hi-5!
We have enjoyed a winning '09 season and the continuous celebration as the NFL Superbowl 44 Champions.
Likewise, we enjoyed the 2010 Pre-Season games, our First Lady Michelle Obama coming to New Orleans to support the NFL Play 60 program to keep our youth healthy and all of the Saints Pep Rallies.
Our son's elementary school - where he enjoys his FAPE in an inclusive and LRE - got in on the excitement and let the students wear their favorite Saints shirts with their uniform attire.
After an exciting day at the office, volunteering with a disability nonprofit and school, we set up our cajun, southern, creole delectables and turned on all the tvs, computers and a radio to enjoy the gameday festivities.
Beginning with a 'Back to Games' Parade rolling throughout the Central Buisness District, we enjoyed watching the numerous concerts from the French Quarters Jacskon Square to owner Tom Bensons 60,000 sq.ft. Champions Square tailgaters to the unveiling of the NFL Superbowl 44 Champions banner and the well-deserved NFL Hall of Fame halftime honors for Reggie Jackson, a Saints icon!
Our son enjoys watching the games because he likes to read the stat profiles and call out the numbers he sees for each team!
Our son also enjoys watching the constant altering of the active graphics!
Our son enjoys just watching all of the people and the football being thrown, punted and ran down the numbered field.
Well, because of his sensory issues, our son usually enjoys watching his hometeam Saints playing with the volume turned to down to 5,4,3,2,1,0 level. This is when 'closed caption' comes in handy.
How do you find ways to overcome being on the autism spectrum?
How do you adapt, modify and and inclusive lifestyle?
Although we could not enjoy shouting the Who Dat Chant! from the Superdome, Quarterback Drew Brees, we chanted loudly from home!
Who Dat!
Deux Dat!
Repeat Dat!
Dos Dat!
Geaux Saints Geaux!
Our New Orleans Saints - 2010 SUPERBOWL 44 CHAMPIONS - defeated the NFC Minnnesota Vikings AGAIN 14-9 at the New Orleans Louisiana Superdome on September 9, 2010!
1-0 who's next to face the Who Dat Nation!
San Francisco away game...no problem!
Bless You Boys! Keep holding the Vince Lombardi trophy high!
We are want to help our son stay healthy and happy.
Enjoying football is great family fun and a good way to highlight our son's strengths and enthusiasm for life!
Well, we did not win the Drew Brees Sports Illustrated package. But, everybody still has time to buy a bunch of $2.oo tickets to win an authentic NFL Saints Superbowl 44 Champions Ring - to help the Gulf Coast victims of the BP oil disaster.
VICTORY!!!
ENJOY!
Image via Wikipedia
We are still excited about the NFL Season KickOff Game that was celebrated in New Orleans!
Enjoying a football is a fun!
Our son has enjoyed sports as a baby, toddler and now as a 5 year old.
Likewise, we enjoyed the 2010 Pre-Season games, our First Lady Michelle Obama coming to New Orleans to support the NFL Play 60 program to keep our youth healthy and all of the Saints Pep Rallies.
Our son's elementary school - where he enjoys his FAPE in an inclusive and LRE - got in on the excitement and let the students wear their favorite Saints shirts with their uniform attire.
After an exciting day at the office, volunteering with a disability nonprofit and school, we set up our cajun, southern, creole delectables and turned on all the tvs, computers and a radio to enjoy the gameday festivities.
Beginning with a 'Back to Games' Parade rolling throughout the Central Buisness District, we enjoyed watching the numerous concerts from the French Quarters Jacskon Square to owner Tom Bensons 60,000 sq.ft. Champions Square tailgaters to the unveiling of the NFL Superbowl 44 Champions banner and the well-deserved NFL Hall of Fame halftime honors for Reggie Jackson, a Saints icon!
Our son enjoys watching the games because he likes to read the stat profiles and call out the numbers he sees for each team!
Our son also enjoys watching the constant altering of the active graphics!
Our son enjoys just watching all of the people and the football being thrown, punted and ran down the numbered field.
Well, because of his sensory issues, our son usually enjoys watching his hometeam Saints playing with the volume turned to down to 5,4,3,2,1,0 level. This is when 'closed caption' comes in handy.
How do you find ways to overcome being on the autism spectrum?
How do you adapt, modify and and inclusive lifestyle?
Although we could not enjoy shouting the Who Dat Chant! from the Superdome, Quarterback Drew Brees, we chanted loudly from home!
Who Dat!
Deux Dat!
Repeat Dat!
Dos Dat!
Geaux Saints Geaux!
Our New Orleans Saints - 2010 SUPERBOWL 44 CHAMPIONS - defeated the NFC Minnnesota Vikings AGAIN 14-9 at the New Orleans Louisiana Superdome on September 9, 2010!
1-0 who's next to face the Who Dat Nation!
San Francisco away game...no problem!
Bless You Boys! Keep holding the Vince Lombardi trophy high!
We are want to help our son stay healthy and happy.
Enjoying football is great family fun and a good way to highlight our son's strengths and enthusiasm for life!
Well, we did not win the Drew Brees Sports Illustrated package. But, everybody still has time to buy a bunch of $2.oo tickets to win an authentic NFL Saints Superbowl 44 Champions Ring - to help the Gulf Coast victims of the BP oil disaster.
VICTORY!!!
ENJOY!
Image via WikipediaWednesday, September 8, 2010
Is Your Child a Picky Eater?
Hi-5!
Repost Wall Street Journal article No Age Limit on Picky Eating previously discussed in our
July 17, 2010 Google blog post entitled, "Wise Up!"
http://familyenjoyinghi5autism.blogspot.com/2010/07/wise-up-questions-comments-sharingwater.html
As we prepare to see a genetics specialist, this is one of our concerns, besides autism causes and heredity links.
If you recall, this summer our son celebrated 5 years of enjoying life! At his annual checkup, his new pediatric nurse practitioner directly stated that they are concerned about his lack of weight gain for the past 2 years.
The Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders has a task force studying whether to include picky eaters as having obsessive compulsive tendencies, selective eating disorder not otherwise specified. If approved, picky eaters will be classified as having a mental disorder in the updated DSM-IV scheduled for 2013.
What do you think?
Monday, September 6, 2010
Enjoying The Hi 5's of Autism - A Family Experience: 'Happy VALUE Day!' - Labor Day
Enjoying The Hi 5's of Autism - A Family Experience: 'Happy VALUE Day!' - Labor Day: "Hi-5! 'Happy VALUE Day!' on this Labor Day! Will you enjoy the 128th Labor Day Parade? How are you celebrating this Labor Day? D..."
Sunday, September 5, 2010
'Happy VALUE Day!' - Labor Day
Hi-5!
'Happy VALUE Day!' on this Labor Day!
Will you enjoy the 128th Labor Day Parade?
How are you celebrating this Labor Day?
Do you know the history behind the Labor Day Holiday? Learn about Labor Day at this link from the U.S. Department of Labor http://www.dol.gov/opa/aboutdol/laborday.htm .
What month is the National Disability Employment Awareness Month?
How are you acknowledging the services, work, expertise and dedication of our labor force who are also a part of the disabilities community?
Do you know of a company or organization that primarily hire individuals with disabilities?
Do you know of a company or organization that targets people with developmental disabilities as employees because of their expert skill-level?
What accommodations and/or modifications does your company or organization provide in their efforts to serve staff, faculty, and clients/customers with disabilities?
Do you know that there are federal, state and local government agencies that assist with ensuring, enforcing and helping individuals with disabilities to become gainfully employed?
How are you showing your appreciation for companies and organizations that employ individuals with disabilities?
For more information on the connection between the labor force and people with disabilities, view the following links:
'Happy VALUE Day!' on this 128th Labor Day!
ENJOY!
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Enjoying The Hi 5's of Autism - A Family Experience: Enjoying The Hi 5's of Autism - A Family Experienc...
Enjoying The Hi 5's of Autism - A Family Experience: Enjoying The Hi 5's of Autism - A Family Experienc...: "Enjoying The Hi 5's of Autism - A Family Experience: Stop All School Bullying!: 'Hi-5! (WE) say, 'Let's start and maintain every school year..."
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