In just a little over a year, 41 American children with Autism have died after wandering.
I can't help but think of that statistic as he lay in my arms behind the bolted doors of our home. He is safe here.
But just an hour ago he walked out the front door. Shut it behind him. Wandered down the street. Barefoot in snowy 20 degree weather. No coat. It was maybe 3 or 4 minutes. Not long, but long enough. I have read it happening in the news too many times.
My husband runs outside in a panic to find a lady walking Trey up the street towards our house. He doesn't know who she is. Have never seen her before.
It was a miracle... and she might have been our little boy's Angel. (1/19/2014)
Every room in the house has a set of the alphabet. Sometimes they are all lined up. Sometimes they are all over the floor. Sometimes they are mixed to spell lots of words. It can be a big mess ...but I wouldn't want it any other way. 💙 #autism
Trey reading a book all about cars. It's a video I found on my old phone from last summer. I love his voice! He pronounces "cars" like he has a strong Brooklyn-like accent.
He wasn't even 4 years old yet and still unable to carry on a conversation with. So the amazement of his Hyperlexia and his ability to read out loud was (and still is) absolutely priceless.
AUTISM- There are many ways to express love without saying a word.
Autism is His Superpower
AUTISM- Each day brings new light and new hope.
1 in 88 diagnosed with a disorder we know little about... Fund. Educate. Make change. Autism.
Autism. With each new day - there is new hope.
I have Autism. I see, hear, feel and express myself differently. You can't see it when you look at me. So please don't judge me. I am different. Not less...
Love needs no words (Trey with his sister Megan)
Cherish the child marching to the beat of a different drum. For they play the most beautiful music. Autism Awareness.
Autism is my superpower!
Hey! Keep staring. You just might cure my Autism. Then let's work on YOUR social skills.
I couldn't wait to teach him about the world. Instead he taught me about life. (Trey and his daddy at our first walk for Autism in WI 2012)
This is Trey. He loves trains, alphabet magnets, and chicken nuggets. He taught himself to read. He is learning to talk. This is Autism.
There are so many apps out there that are designed to help children of all ages with Autism.. it's GREAT! However, as a parent, finding the right ones to help your child, it can be overwhelming! There are literally thousands now with new ones popping up each day.
Before you spend lots of money on apps, try out the free ones first to see if it is a good "fit" for your child. As the saying goes, if you meet one child with Autism, you've met one child with Autism. Therefore, an app designed for an Autistic child, may not work for your child's needs.
Many of the free apps are basically lite or limited versions for you to try and are then given a choice to unlock sections or buy the full version. There are different type apps too.. for communication, learning, schedules, or just plain fun.
The apps we have are for an iPad, but most of them are also available for Android as well.
I have had lots of friends on my Autism Momma Facebook page ask me what Autism apps I have for my son Trey. I will feature the ones that work for him personally and hopefully they will give ideas of the type your child can benefit from. Most of the apps we have for Trey are not only Autism apps for speech and communication, but are also geared towards his love of letters, words, and reading (Hyperlexia).
The "Baby Sign and Learn" app shows different babies signing and speaking words. It has been a wonderful app for Trey to not only learn to sign some words, but also help with his speech. He was nonverbal until just a few months ago at age 3 1/2. I love using this app to encourage his speech and communication skills!
Here is a clip of Trey using the "Baby Sign and Learn" app:
This app had a lite version for FREE from the Apple Store and to upgrade to the full version it only costs $1.99. Great deal!
The website for "Baby Sign and Learn" lists the benefits:
One of the most fundamental human desires is to be understood, research has shown baby sign language can reduce frustration for babies and parents by providing a means for babies to communicate before their vocal cords have developed for speech. Research shows baby sign language has numerous other benefits too, such as, accelerating verbal development and strengthening cognitive skills. It also enhances child-parent bonding by reducing frustration and through fun time spent teaching signs to your baby.
I think these benefits also hold true for young Autistic children!
I was frustrated he ran outside this morning in the rain when I let the dogs out. It was as if he couldn't hear me yelling for him to come in.
Then I saw the complete happiness on his face enjoying a simple pleasure of life. So I began to play in the rain with him until we were both drenched. As we were both laughing so hard, I realized he taught me something today.
Life with Autism is not easy... but there is so many things in life to love!
On October 13th 2012, we joined thousands of people in downtown St. Louis for the annual "Walk Now For Autism Speaks". It was an amazing event!! This was their 10th walk and their biggest yet with over 20,000 people participating.
Our team shirts were designed by my daughter Jessica. She pretty much put our team together.. I was a proud momma!! She not only created the shirts and found a place to get them made, she sent out invites on Facebook and kept track of who was coming. It meant a lot to me for her to take charge.
"Team Trey" consisted of my daughters and their friends. It meant so much to me to have these young people join us to support their friend's little brother and walk for awareness! We also had my daughter's boyfriend's parents join us.. how cool is that?! It was just an awesome group!
But the one person on our "Team Trey" that inspired me the most was Dean. I work with Dean at Target. He is a 21 year old college student working there part time while he finishes his elementary education degree. Dean has a gift of genuinely caring about the development and needs of children and is always wanting to learn more. He has a great sense of humor and a heart of gold. I think Trey sensed this early on because before he could even walk, Dean was his buddy. He was one of the first people Trey made eye contact with and gave a "high-five" to. Dean didn't hesitate when I asked him to join our team for the walk!! He's going to make a great teacher one day.
"This
is why I do what I do everyday! One day I am going to have my own
classroom and when I make a difference in one child's life....then my
job is done!" (Dean)
It wasn't just a walk. There were lots of booths with great information about Autism resources. Free food. Jump house and a giant bubble machine for the kids. Just an all-around day of fun!!
I couldn't get over how many people where there. Thousands.. all with their own story. It was sad to think Autism affected every one of these people somehow. But at the same time, it was comforting to know we weren't alone. It was the first time in many months we took Trey somewhere and knew that if a meltdown happened or other behaviors, we wouldn't be judged.
