Perspective

Living, reading and researching autism has become a major part of my life. Like most families with children on the spectrum, you get a place where you eat, breath and live autism. This alone can become so overwhelming for those in the family who are not diagnosed with ASD (autism spectrum disorder). That is one of the reasons I started this blog, to write (because I love to write) and to put something out there to maybe let others know they aren't alone. It's taught me to learn watch our boys closely to learn what they need, not what I think they need. Unlike neurotypical kiddos, our boys still aren't able to always let us know what they want or need. It really comes down to perspective, which according to the dictionary is:

[pər-ˈspek-tiv] 2. a : the interrelation in which a subject or its parts are mentally viewed <places the issues in proper perspective>; also : point of view

b : the capacity to view things in their true relations or relative importance <trying to maintain my perspective>

I SEE:                                                                                                     THEY SEE / FEEL / SMELL / TASTE

hitting the chair...rattan chair, feels rough
peeling tree trunk   different textures, shades
step to be swept   pieces of wood to play with & chew on
trash from toys round plastic thing to look, feel & taste

They have taught to look at the world in a basic, simplistic way. We've learned that once you set up a routine for them, they will thrive. We also know through the process of elimination, that even when they are non-verbal, if you really watch them and "work" with them, they will show you what they need to learn.

From a mother's heart - stand back, look at things like you did when you were little, and get a new perspective.