http://teenautism.com Beyond ABA, after OT . . . what now? Wed, 07 Jan 2009 05:50:50 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en That nasty stomach-bug thing that's been going around has made its way to our house. Right before bed last night, Nigel ran to the bathroom to throw up. I thought at first that it was because (I'd discovered) he drank way too much soda that afternoon and evening while I ... http://teenautism.com/2009/01/06/sick-bay/ When Nigel was first diagnosed at age three, and for some time after, he didn't know how to play with toys. I bought him a kids' train set; he laid his head to one side and stared at the tracks. He had no interest in pushing the train along, even ... http://teenautism.com/2009/01/05/ode-to-lego/ Often at the start of a new year, we note things that we would like to change about ourselves or our lives. We make resolutions and take steps to lose weight, be healthier, save money, or achieve a goal.  We are determined to improve. Yesterday, I began preparing Nigel for his ... http://teenautism.com/2009/01/04/new-year-new-behavior/ Dear 2009, Welcome! We're glad you're here! 2008 was a hell of a ride, but don't think that you need to do any one-upping to impress us. Not at all. We'd like it just fine if you can keep things mellow. I suppose I should define ‘mellow.' You see, in a house ... http://teenautism.com/2009/01/01/an-open-letter-to-2009/ Aidan had finished dinner before the rest of us one night last week and had asked to be excused from the table (oh, doesn't that sound great? Asking to be excused! He more likely said, ‘I'm done; I'm going to go to my room now,' and I said, ‘Okay, remember ... http://teenautism.com/2008/12/31/in-the-just-trying-to-be-helpful-category/ Remember when it was called Christmas Vacation? It amuses me that even what we call our seasonal time off must conform to political correctness. But that's okay. I actually prefer the name change, especially since I've been teaching this year, and I realize how essential a break really is. One of ... http://teenautism.com/2008/12/30/winter-break/ Ugh. I did "The Drive" yesterday. The 700-mile kid swap. The boys get time with their dad, and I get time to get some work done. A week from today I have to do it again to go and pick them up. In my lifetime, especially in adulthood, I have spent ... http://teenautism.com/2008/12/27/the-drive/ Six months ago, Aidan graduated from elementary school.  On that day, I realized that not only was I proud of my own son for his accomplishments, I was also proud of his classmates. I had watched those kids grow up for the past six years, cared about them, and I ... http://teenautism.com/2008/12/24/sharing-the-gifts/ My younger son Aidan, who is twelve, has recently discovered Bob Marley. He found one of my CDs from my college days (when I first discovered Bob) and it was love at first listen. Aidan plays it day and night. He tells me that he likes the music, but also ... http://teenautism.com/2008/12/21/thinking-ahead/ I've written before about Nigel's quest for friendship and his need to be social. He has been fortunate to meet some patient and friendly NT kids through his involvement in Scouting. Continuing with the What It's Like series, I wanted to highlight a couple of his friends and ask them a few ... http://teenautism.com/2008/12/18/what-its-like-to-have-an-autistic-friend/