Autism and Education

For those of you are not flowing my autism post, you may not know that my nephew is autistic, along with my oldest brother. Lately my nephew has found my music stand fascinating. My music stand is the kind of stand that can be taken apart for storage, put back together for use. I have shown my nephew once how to put the music stand together, for about an half hour he will take it apart and put it back together, it keeps him entertained. His little brain is a mechanical brain; as in he can figure out things fast, stack things up and have them balance. The fun thing is that what he can make things balance, you'd think it would never work.

Researchers at University in Vancouver believe that autism and schizophrenia are genetic opposites in this article called Study links autism and schizophrenia. I thought that it was far fetched, how? Was my question. The *how* they believe according to Philip Stead and Michael Elliot, is that autism and schizophrenia are caused by anomalies in the same places in the human genome. People with out these disabilities have two copies of this genome, autism disorder has one copy, schizophrenia has multiple copy's. Also read if interested comparative genomics of autism and schizophrenia

One parent comment on this find, suggest that she believes in this study. Is it right or not? I believe that further research and study needs to be conducted. Now, I am not saying that they are wrong or right. With this *find* they hope to have new treatments for autism, and schizophrenia. Like I have said more research needs to be done, before they do anything what so ever. If they can treat autism then what would happen to my nephews mechanical brain; would it be in some degree different, or would he still be able to figure out things just as fast if he was treated?

Interesting articles nevertheless. I'll leave it up to you to decide what to think.

Birthdays

I have been wanting to write this for awhile, but put it off, for personal reasons.

A good friend of mine had her baby boy on the 17. She was afraid that people would forget her new born son's birthday, reasonable it is on the week of *crunch* time preparation for Christmas. This last week of Christmas, as we know is crazy, to say the least. With last minute gifts to get, concerts, parties, goodies to eat/make, plays, and etc. This is what I told her.

It is easy to let this season take away what is important. My birthday is during this month, during the same week of Christmas; this is what I learned over my 30 years, (remember this is my entire 30 year life span, I have learned a lot). I can't boycott the December holidays, (believe me during jr. high and high school, I have tried). I hated telling people when my birthday is,( I have not met one person who has not forgotten, at sometime). I have had to work, finish finales, go Christmas shopping, do secret Santa (loved to do that one. (no sarcasm was attached)), family parties, and etc. In short I hate it it. I have had this weird dream, that on my birthday I would be some place on a worm, white beach. Or rock climbing. I didn't care, both sounded great, just as long it wasn't snowing and, I wasn't shivering.

During one amazing year I have learned something that have helped put things back in to perspective, and all of these years I have tried to keep that perspective. During this particular year I was having a hard time, on top of everything only one person remembered my birthday; my mom, got to love mom's. As the day wore on, a still small voice whispered to me; reminding me that everyone forgets Christ birthday also. I have felt so selfish after that reminder I cried so hard, I had a hard time catching my breath.

I have told what I remembered to my friend and her husband. He told me that he loved that and, will teach his son that same thing. It made him feel better that his son's birthday is on the 17th. So teach the children what this time of year is all about. To borrow the phrase from "The Grinch stole Christmas" ".....maybe Christmas doesn't come from a store." We celebrate the birth of Christ, His role, sacrifice, teachings, and the hope He has brought to this world.

Autism Christmas Poem.

I have totally stole this one from my brothers blog. All I need to say is:

"Welcome to Special needs!"

This poem is perfect on how a parent/care giver feels, all though out the year.

Autism Christmas Poem

Twas the Night Before Christmas
And all through the house

The creatures were stirring
Yes, even the mouse
We tried melatonin

And gave a hot bath
Asleep early for Christmas?
…an unlikely path
The children were finally
All nestled in bed
When visions of Christmas
Ran through my OWN head
Did I get the right gift?
The right color and style?
Would there be a blank stare
Or even, maybe, a smile?
Friends & family come
But they don’t understand
The pleasure he gets
Just from bending his hands.
"Just make him stop it," some say
"Just tell him "no",You must learn to be tough.."
On, and on they do go…
We smile and nod
Because we know deep inside

The debate is moot
Let them all take a side
We know what it’s like
To live with the spectrum
The struggles and triumphs
Achievements, regressions.

But what some don’t know
And what some don’t see

Is the joy that we feel
Over simplicity.
He said "hello"!
He ate something green!
He looked me in my eyes
He did not cause a scene!
He peed on the potty!
(Who cares if he’s ten)

He stopped saying the same thing
Again and again!"
Some others don’t realize
Just how we can cope
How we bravely hang on
At the end of our rope

But what they don’t see
Is the joy we can’t hide

When our children with autism
Make the tiniest stride
We may look at others
Without the problems we face
With envy, with wonder,
Or even distaste.

What we want them to know
What’s important to see

Is that children with autism
Bring simplicity.
We don’t get excited
Over expensive things
We jump for joy
With the progress work brings

Children with autism
Try so hard every day

That they make us proud
More than words can say.
They work even harder
Than you or I
To achieve something small
To reach a star in the sky
So, to those who don’t get it
Or can’t get a clue

Take a walk in our shoes
And I’ll assure you
That even 10 minutes
Into the walk
You’ll look at us all
With respect, even shock.
You will realize
What it is we go through
And the next time you see us
I can assure you
That you won’t say a thing
You’ll be quiet and learn
,Like the years I learned too
When the tables were turned.

-Anonymous

ll Silenzio (Taps)

I got this in my email, and it is absolutely gorgeous. According to the email:

The Trumpeter's name is Melissa Venema while Master Andre Rieu is conducting. In 2008 Maastriecht (sp?) Netherlands, the city officials closed off the town square and closed everything down, for that perfect noise control.


Take a look.

You can leave your religion on the door step. Thank you!

I came back from VT. The woman that I VT is inactive and bitter about the church, and would like it if I would leave my religion on the door step. I have known this inactive sister for quite a long time. About three years ago she and her husband has stopped smoking. I was so proud of them! But over time I would talk to her and her husband, and was appointed to be her visiting teacher. My companion and I are the only ones that she would let in to visit teach her. From time to time I have bean able to tell her of some experiences that I would have with an LDS program called "Special Needs Mutual." She would laugh or be in awe with some of the experiences that I have shared. But never apostolate or teach.

Well I have found some painting's in the December Ensign (pg 39) called "GARDENING IN THE RAIN" By Brian Kershisnik and the other on, (pg 41) call "THE FACE OF NEW ENGLAND" by Robert Duncan. This inactive sister loves art and so I took over the Ensign to show her the incredible paintings. She laughed at "GARDENING IN THE RAIN." She thought that it was cute, so did her husband. But "THE FACE OF NEW ENGLAND" she loved, she couldn't believe that it was a painting. Robert Frost once said:

"Art is anything that moves you."

I didn't apostolate or teach to her, I have only shown her and her husband the paintings in the Ensign. So who said that the Ensign cannot be in every home, in one time or another. They have come so far.