I am a life learning Mama and this page is where I like to share things that resonate with me in some way along this wonderful life journey we are on ♥

Saturday 14 April 2012

The Autism Paradox



Oh lordy this is soooooooooo true - the human brain is an amazing thing! ♥
The Autism Paradox...

1. It's easy to recite an entire book but difficult to make up a story

2. It's easy to line up toys but difficult to stay in line

3. It makes perfect sense to climb on the sofa but little sense to sit on it

4. Memorizing the Presidents in order - 10 minutes. Packing a school bag - 10 hours

5. Family pictures on the wall are boring but that speck of dust next to it, now that's fascinating!

6. Talking about weather patterns - piece of cake. Talking about my day... impossible!

7. Ability to focus on spinning objects - timeless, ability to focus on homework - 3 seconds

8. Being called by name, can't hear it. Some owl hooting in the distance - clear as a bell

9. How to operate the remote control - zero instruction. How to button up pants - intensive instruction

10. Navigating social rules - poorly skilled, Navigating from the back seat of the car - highly skilled

By Jenē Aviram
This article is property of and copyright © 2003-2007 Jene Aviram -http://www.nlconcepts.com/


Animal School




A eye-opening reflection on how we view children and how we teach children in our current education system

I am an different - but look just like you

‎I am the child that looks healthy and fine.
I was born with ten fingers and toes.
But something is different, somewhere in my mind, 
And what it is, nobody knows.
I am the child that struggles in school,
Though they say that I'm perfectly smart.
They tell me I'm lazy -- can learn if I try --
But I don't seem to know where to start. 
I am the child that won't wear the clothes 
Which hurt me or bother my feet.
I dread sudden noises,
can't handle most smells, 
And tastes -- there are few foods I'll eat.
I am the child that can't catch the ball 
And runs with an awkward gait. 
I am the one chosen last on the team. 
And I cringe as I stand there and wait. 
I am the child with whom no one will play --
The one that gets bullied and teased
I try to fit in and I want to be liked,
But nothing I do seems to please.
I am the child that tantrums and freaks
Over things that seem petty and trite. 
You'll never know how I panic inside, 
When I'm lost in my anger and fright.
I am the child that fidgets and squirms
Though I'm told to sit still and be good. 
Do you think that I choose to be out of control?
Don't you know that I would if I could?
I am the child with the broken heart 
Though I act like I don't really care.
Perhaps there's a reason I'm made this way --
Some message I'm sent to share.
For I am the child that needs to be loved
And accepted and valued too.
I am the child that is misunderstood.
I am different - but look just like you. ♥

by Kathy Winters.

This is such an honest and heartfelt portrayal of a child with Aspergers - well it is in my house! Makes me cry every time I read it! My son is doing well now, but his childhood was very like this poem in many ways and I just hope that with all my sharing of posts on 'differences' at least one person will take note and through education, children who are somewhat outside of the 'norm' will be accepted for who they are and embraced rather than ostracised! Blessings lovely people ♥

Friday 3 February 2012

Bursting with Happiness


I just had to share some wonderful news! I am bursting with happiness! My son diagnosed with ADHD/Aspergers/Gifted/Dysgraphia (yes, he truly is twice exceptional!!) at the age of 16 has just been offered a place at the University of Queensland to study Software Engineering! Wooooohooooo! I want to share as I know how many of you have struggled or are struggling with kids who are different. My son is different and life has not always been easy! In fact, at times it has been hell! He was a child who was constantly in trouble and was suspended from every school except one (and he went to a few schools in his young years!) He has been bullied and ostrasised by not only other kids but adults too and often at times we have been made to feel very unwelcome. I likened my life at times to being out in the open water just about clinging to the only rock just above the surface. Alone and scared! When my son was little there were no groups like this and I often did feel very alone. He was a little boy who could not stand to be in a place with loud noises – school assembly was not a nice experience. He did not like the feel of the carpet on his feet, the clothes that he wore or like his food touching each other and basically ate the same limited foods year after year. He could not stand his hair being cut or people touching him at all when he was in a state of arousal and often at school he needed to run to a safe quiet place and squeeze himself away in the cupboard to calm himself. He was a little boy who was kept in most lunchtimes because he had not completed enough work – mostly writing – because he could not - not because he did not want too – but teachers just thought he was being naughty! It breaks my heart thinking back on those years. One principal even told me he was a possible Columbine kid! What parent wants to hear that?! The reality was they just did did not understand him. Well, I took my son out of school when he was 10 and have homeschooled him for the past 6 years and he has blossomed to the place where he is now. He has always been good on computers – he is as Ken Robinson says 'in his element' and this passion or special interest has taken him to places we never dreamed of when he was little. I see a future for him now, when at times I worried so much for my son. I know he is still only young and life will no doubt still continue as it does to pose difficulties for him but he is on his way. He had a goal to go to University and he is achieving that. He has already been to Sunshine Coast University to study two papers and coped really well there. He is learning all the social conventions – not completely understanding them – but learning how to fit in when in the past he was very much a loner. I love to see him having friends that he has made himself rather than ones that I have tried to coerce. I just wanted to share not only my pride, but also that our children are so very special and with the right support they can truly excel above and beyond the limited expectations that some people have for them! Blessings everyone! :0)