Guest guest Posted October 9, 2006 Report Share Posted October 9, 2006 - Ian was almost 5 when I talked to him about Bobby. I had checked out a children's library book about a family with 3 children, the oldest with autism. For the life of me, I can't remember the name of the book, but it was written by the father, a physician. The first page described the 3 " shortcomings " of autism (social, communication, interests) as seen in this particular child. I'll never forget Ian's reaction when I read him that first page - after each of the 3 symptoms, Ian said, " Hey, that's just like my brother! " I think that after that first page, Ian knew why I was reading that particular book to him. I felt I had to talk to Ian about Bobby's autism because Ian would get so broken hearted when his brother wouldn't want to play with him, when he wanted to be alone. I was hoping to alleviate Ian's pain with the knowledge that it wasn't anything Ian did, it was his brother's characteristic. After reading the book to Ian, I told Ian that his brother had autism, and talked about his brother's particular " symptoms. " I did get choked up a bit, partly because after that first page, Ian changed from, " Hey, this is a book about a kid like my brother!, " to " This is a book about a kid like my brother. " Sorry if that's not clear. I asked Ian if he had any questions, and he didn't. Several days later, I pulled out the same book, thinking that after time to mull it all over, Ian might want to talk about it. Nope. Ian emphatically didn't want to see that book. Didn't want to talk about it. Comparatively speaking, talking to Bobby about his own diagnosis was a cakewalk. In fact, after one meltdown, when he was calm, Bobby said, " I had an autistic moment. " I really don't have any advice. But if Ian were to question why Bobby got preferential treatment, I would probably say, " We're not talking about Bobby; we're talking about you! " and see where the chips fell. If that didn't work, I'd have to move on to the next try... Chris > > > > I could use some advice on how to explain to my twin 4 year olds that > their 6 year old sister has autism. It seems like lately they have > been exhibiting some of her ODD behaviors. When I tell them not to do > this the question comes up " why is allowed to do it? " I'm > having a hard time trying to explain this at their level. Any advice > would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 9, 2006 Report Share Posted October 9, 2006 - >Another thingy I learned in one of my special education classes is from an article actually that tells you what themes/issues are important for 1st graders. The authors were trying to get an idea on how , a child with a disability, is viewed by his peers in a 1st grade classroom. Could you give me a copy of this article, or the reference? I would love to read it! How are your classes going this semester? I love mine!! Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 9, 2006 Report Share Posted October 9, 2006 Yeah! I will give you a copy. I am on campus Tuesday am and nights and Thursday am. I don't know if tat would ever work out where we could meet, but may be I could mail you the article... Just email me your postal address off list. That will be the fastest. I am not so thrilled with my classes and school in general this semester. I am almost done with the prg and first of all, the re is a lot of repetitions. Second, one of my teachers does not teach too well is is way too academic. The second teacher has never thought the class I have to take for early childhood....so it's really not that good. The third class is a held by a great teacher but no experience in the early childhood field. So....................... I am glad you like your classes though!! What are you taking? I am just so ready to graduate. I do not have the time to really study a lot. I do the assignments, read the chapters quickly, do the tests and... move on! Take care, Marotta <picklespaw@...> wrote: - >Another thingy I learned in one of my special education classes is from an article actually that tells you what themes/issues are important for 1st graders. The authors were trying to get an idea on how , a child with a disability, is viewed by his peers in a 1st grade classroom. Could you give me a copy of this article, or the reference? I would love to read it!How are your classes going this semester? I love mine!! Chris Stay in the know. Pulse on the new .com. Check it out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 9, 2006 Report Share Posted October 9, 2006 Thanks for sharing this story. Ian sounds like a great kid. It's so bad we all have to go through this..... Marotta <picklespaw@...> wrote: - Ian was almost 5 when I talked to him about Bobby. I had checked out a children's library book about a family with 3 children, the oldest with autism. For the life of me, I can't remember the name of the book, but it was written by the father, a physician. The first page described the 3 "shortcomings" of autism (social, communication, interests) as seen in this particular child. I'll never forget Ian's reaction when I read him that first page - after each of the 3 symptoms, Ian said, "Hey, that's just like my brother!" I think that after that first page, Ian knew why I was reading that particular book to him.I felt I had to talk to Ian about Bobby's autism because Ian would get so broken hearted when his brother wouldn't want to play with him, when he wanted to be alone. I was hoping to alleviate Ian's pain with the knowledge that it wasn't anything Ian did, it was his brother's characteristic. After reading the book to Ian, I told Ian that his brother had autism, and talked about his brother's particular "symptoms." I did get choked up a bit, partly because after that first page, Ian changed from, "Hey, this is a book about a kid like my brother!," to "This is a book about a kid like my brother." Sorry if that's not clear. I asked Ian if he had any questions, and he didn't.Several days later, I pulled out the same book, thinking that after time to mull it all over, Ian might want to talk about it. Nope. Ian emphatically didn't want to see that book. Didn't want to talk about it.Comparatively speaking, talking to Bobby about his own diagnosis was a cakewalk. In fact, after one meltdown, when he was calm, Bobby said, "I had an autistic moment."I really don't have any advice. But if Ian were to question why Bobby got preferential treatment, I would probably say, "We're not talking about Bobby; we're talking about you!" and see where the chips fell. If that didn't work, I'd have to move on to the next try...Chris> >> > I could use some advice on how to explain to my twin 4 year olds that > their 6 year old sister has autism. It seems like lately they have > been exhibiting some of her ODD behaviors. When I tell them not to do > this the question comes up "why is allowed to do it?" I'm > having a hard time trying to explain this at their level. Any advice > would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, > > Get your email and more, right on the new .com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 9, 2006 Report Share Posted October 9, 2006 .....and Bobby sound so self-aware!!! what great kids! <egerpatt@...> wrote: Thanks for sharing this story. Ian sounds like a great kid. It's so bad we all have to go through this..... Marotta <picklespaw@...> wrote: - Ian was almost 5 when I talked to him about Bobby. I had checked out a children's library book about a family with 3 children, the oldest with autism. For the life of me, I can't remember the name of the book, but it was written by the father, a physician. The first page described the 3 "shortcomings" of autism (social, communication, interests) as seen in this particular child. I'll never forget Ian's reaction when I read him that first page - after each of the 3 symptoms, Ian said, "Hey, that's just like my brother!" I think that after that first page, Ian knew why I was reading that particular book to him.I felt I had to talk to Ian about Bobby's autism because Ian would get so broken hearted when his brother wouldn't want to play with him, when he wanted to be alone. I was hoping to alleviate Ian's pain with the knowledge that it wasn't anything Ian did, it was his brother's characteristic. After reading the book to Ian, I told Ian that his brother had autism, and talked about his brother's particular "symptoms." I did get choked up a bit, partly because after that first page, Ian changed from, "Hey, this is a book about a kid like my brother!," to "This is a book about a kid like my brother." Sorry if that's not clear. I asked Ian if he had any questions, and he didn't.Several days later, I pulled out the same book, thinking that after time to mull it all over, Ian might want to talk about it. Nope. Ian emphatically didn't want to see that book. Didn't want to talk about it.Comparatively speaking, talking to Bobby about his own diagnosis was a cakewalk. In fact, after one meltdown, when he was calm, Bobby said, "I had an autistic moment."I really don't have any advice. But if Ian were to question why Bobby got preferential treatment, I would probably say, "We're not talking about Bobby; we're talking about you!" and see where the chips fell. If that didn't work, I'd have to move on to the next try...Chris> >> > I could use some advice on how to explain to my twin 4 year olds that > their 6 year old sister has autism. It seems like lately they have > been exhibiting some of her ODD behaviors. When I tell them not to do > this the question comes up "why is allowed to do it?" I'm > having a hard time trying to explain this at their level. Any advice > would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, > > Get your email and more, right on the new .com Messenger with Voice. Make PC-to-Phone Calls to the US (and 30+ countries) for 2¢/min or less. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 10, 2006 Report Share Posted October 10, 2006 - I'm on the campus Tuesdays as well. My class starts at 7 pm, but I can get on the campus at 5:45, I could try to get there by 5:30. Maybe we could meet up next Tuesday (I don't have class tonight). Chris > - > > >Another thingy I learned in one of my special education classes is > from an article actually that tells you what themes/issues are > important for 1st graders. The authors were trying to get an idea on > how , a child with a disability, is viewed by his peers in a 1st > grade classroom. > > Could you give me a copy of this article, or the reference? I would > love to read it! > > How are your classes going this semester? I love mine!! Chris > > > > > > > --------------------------------- > Stay in the know. Pulse on the new .com. Check it out. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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