Here I came across an awesome book written by Ellen Notbohm "Ten things every child with Autism Wishes you know"......so I thought of sharing those ten things with you people.. hope you will like them. So here comes the “Ten things every child with Autism Wishes you know”:
1. I am first and foremost a child. I have Autism. I am not primarily "Autistic".
"Defining me by one characteristic runs the danger of setting up an expectation that may be too low, and if I get a sense that you don't think i "can do it", my natural response will be: why try?”
2. My sensory Perceptions are disordered.
“This means that the ordinary sights, sounds, smells, tastes and touches of every day that you may not even notice can be downright painful for me.”
3. Please remember to distinguish between won’t (I choose not to) and can’t (I am not able to).
“It isn’t that I don’t listen to instructions. It’s that I can’t understand you”
4. I am concrete thinker. This means I interpret language very literally.
“Idioms, puns, nuance, double entendres, inference, metaphors, allusions and sarcasm are usually lost on me”
5. Please be patient with my limited vocabulary.
“I may be hungry, frustrated, frightened or confused but right now those words are beyond my ability to express.”
6. Because language is so difficult for me, I am very visually oriented.
“Please show me how to do something rather than just telling me.”
7. Please focus and build on what I can do rather than what I can’t do.
“Look for my strengths and you will find my potentials and capabilities. There is more than one right way to do most things.”
8. Help me with social interactions.
“ It may look like I don’t want to play with the other kids on the playground, but sometimes it’s just that I simply do not know how to start a conversation or enter a play situation.”
9. Try to identify what triggers my meltdowns.
“Meltdowns, blow-ups, tantrums or whatever you want to call them are even more horrid for me that they are for you. They occur because one or more of my senses has gone into overload.”
10. If you are a family member, please love me unconditionally.
“I did not choose to have autism. But remember that it is happening to me, not you. Without your support, my chances of successful, self-reliant adulthood are slim. With your support and guidance, the possibilities are broader than you might think. I promise you- I am worth it.”
So if you like these thoughts I would highly recommend you this book to understand the inner sight of these little angels.
Your friend
Amit Kochhar Occupational Therapy Student
