Ecki/Candace/Gareth update

[Guest guest]

<<I always hear brags on DS support groups about how their kid can ID

colors, or knows the alphabet, or can sight read, or does puzzles, or knows all

the

shapes, or whatever -- all before age

three. One part of me is happy for them, but another part is insanely

jealous and heartbroken and really hates that autism gets in the way of all

this. I

can't even get my kid to sit at a table and push a car back

and forth. Ecki>>

Hi, Everyone....Ecki.........PLEASE DO NOT GIVE UP!!! Gareth can read and

do math, etc. and he has DS/Autism. He was doing 100 piece puzzles by the

time he was 6....we were so happy with our 'smart' kid. It was the

autism.....he had no clue what/how he was doing it. His little fingers just

kept moving

the pieces and he would find the spot. When Gareth was between the ages of

5-10, he could 'read' sight words and 'say' sight words while looking at the

word but could not turn around and say those words without seeing them.

Autism does funky things to the brain but given the right learning

tools/techniques Kayla may well be able to do all the things you are assuming

she never

will be able to do. SEE Gareth update below!!!

Hi Candace and welcome to the group. You mentioned having one good

doc....what has he said about the dual dx. I strongly urge you to set aside

your

fears of having the dual dx because the sooner Wyatt is dx'd autistic, the

sooner you will have more services available....speech, OT, sensory tx, etc.,

to

address the odd behavioral/sensory issues It is soooooooo important to

address the autism early.

Gareth brought home his PSU ID card today. He was sooooooooo proud!!! He

needs $$$ in his acct. now so he can slide his card for lunches, etc. through

out the campus like the regular kids do. His schedule is:

1) Lifelinks Transitioning period (basically, everyone coming in and

getting settled and reporting their previous evening/weekend. Forces the kids

to

talk and communicate....Gareth isn't big on this, yet!!!)

2) Coping With College.....mandatory class for all incoming freshmen. G's

is with the 'jocks.'

3) PE...weight lifting....with the jocks.....of course!!!

4) Return to Lifelinks for academics

5) Lunch

6) Academics in Lifelinks or transitioning to job training.

So far, so good. He's still tires easily but is gaining more of his

strength each day.

The gal was here today to drop off paperwork that needs to be filled out for

him to go to the apartment for weekly visits. ALSO....... If Ter and I we

need a weekend free....all we have to do is request for Gareth to go there on

a weekend. I am definitely going to like this!!!

Take care, Everyone.

Margaret

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