Sara's Autism Site: How will I know if it is autism?
Or, 'if he isn't here,
he's some other place!'
#1 Red Flags & Checklist: How will I know?
"What to do While You Wait" with < My Thoughts > by Sara Luker
What you can do while you are waiting for the world of doctor’s appointments, consultations, and program possibilities to open up to you…
#1 What to do While You Wait… Red Flags & Checklist
#2 What to do While You Wait… Safety & Support
#3 What to do While You Wait… Prioritize Wants & Needs
#4 What to do While You Wait… Look into Programs
< My Thoughts > "While You Wait..."
Parents often must wait days, weeks, and even months for assessments or doctor appointments. During this stressful time, it's good to feel that you are actively helping your child. This can become an important time of clarifying what bothers you the most about your child's behavior, development, or other concerns. Video tape what you are seeing and how your child acts throughout the day/night. 'Seeing is believing' for someone new to your child.
Prioritize your child's 'needs' and your 'wants'. Try new things... like teaching your child age appropriate 'developmental skills' that are non-invasive. See what works and what doesn't. Eventually, you will have to choose from available programs, therapies, and services that will be offered. Some are quite expensive, so understand your child well enough to figure out what will probably work and what absolutely won't. You can only know this by trying some things on your own. In this 'page' I give you some ideas on where to start to discover who your child is 'behind' the autism.
"What to do While You Wait" with < My Thoughts > by Sara Luker
What you can do while you are waiting for the world of doctor’s appointments, consultations, and program possibilities to open up to you…
#1 What to do While You Wait… Red Flags & Checklist
#2 What to do While You Wait… Safety & Support
#3 What to do While You Wait… Prioritize Wants & Needs
#4 What to do While You Wait… Look into Programs
< My Thoughts > "While You Wait..."
Parents often must wait days, weeks, and even months for assessments or doctor appointments. During this stressful time, it's good to feel that you are actively helping your child. This can become an important time of clarifying what bothers you the most about your child's behavior, development, or other concerns. Video tape what you are seeing and how your child acts throughout the day/night. 'Seeing is believing' for someone new to your child.
Prioritize your child's 'needs' and your 'wants'. Try new things... like teaching your child age appropriate 'developmental skills' that are non-invasive. See what works and what doesn't. Eventually, you will have to choose from available programs, therapies, and services that will be offered. Some are quite expensive, so understand your child well enough to figure out what will probably work and what absolutely won't. You can only know this by trying some things on your own. In this 'page' I give you some ideas on where to start to discover who your child is 'behind' the autism.
See the original versions on the CDC (Centers for Disease Control & Prevention) website under – Learn the Signs. Act Early; on www.cdc.gov/ActEarly
There are many books with personal stories about autism. This is the beginning of my Extended Book Reviews.
NOTE: Complete Extended Book Review with < My Thoughts > by Sara Luker...
is posted under BLOG: SCHOOL ON THE SHORT BUS & also posted under the title "Hello, My Name is Max" on Extended Review Page... to find >
GO TO NAVIGATION MENU (3 stripes in upper-left-hand corner of the webpage). Smiles.
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Hello, My Name is Max & I Have Autism by Max Miller, eBook 2014 Edition; with < My Thoughts > by Sara Luker
(13% indicates location in the Kindle version of the book, instead of page numbers.)
Excerpts from Forward by Rebecca Miller –
13% Hello. I’m Max’s mom. I want to thank you for purchasing his book and sharing it with others. My twelve-year-old son Max came up with the idea of sharing his story in order to help other kids who are on the autism spectrum.
This book is the result of an art show that Max put together. His drawings and essays were displayed, primarily to educate people on how different his experience is compared to kids who are “neurotypical.” His art show was very well-received and he wanted to take his message to a larger audience. The result is this book.
< My Thoughts > “The result is this book.”
When you purchase your copy of Max’s book, you will be delighted to read all the words beyond my excerpts and to see his wonderful drawings. Max’s mom also has more to say at the end of their book. Enjoy!
End of excerpts from Forward by Rebecca Miller –
===============
Excerpts from Max’s book – With < My Thoughts, by Sara Luker >
38% Max is a high-functioning autistic and was non-verbal until the age of six. He has been subject of segregation and prejudice since he was quite young. Max was denied educational and social opportunities due to his diagnosis.
After several rejections, we finally found an autism program. The interventions worked. Max is now in a regular classroom with his peers but still feels separate. He is aware of his autism but considers it a label versus a definition.
< My Thoughts > “…label versus a definition.”
Intervention works and inclusion works, but often a high-functioning child still feels ‘separate.’
39% His art reflects his view of his identity. He is able to be his own person and defy his labeling. He is not just an autistic. He is an 11 year old boy, a blend of his entire family and his life experiences.
Max said, “I am not autism. I am ME.”
End of excerpts from forward by Rebecca Miller.
( Max writes…)
42% There is a theory that my autism was caused by my getting these shots. That’s not true. God made me autistic. The shots didn’t make me autistic.
44% God sat there and asked the angels who should have autism and they chose me. The angels said I should have autism so I can make a difference in this world.
I am doing this through my drawing and writing. I want to explain how autistic kids might feel in ordinary situations.
You can’t see in my head. I’m lucky because I can talk but the words get stuck. Drawing helps me get the words out.
< My Thoughts > “the words get stuck”
When Max says the words get stuck… takes me back to what a neurologist first told us about Sonny. “It’s difficult to know just how much he really understands or is capable of learning. So, your job is finding a way to get as much information “in” and as much information “out” as you can,” she suggested.
Aside from the fact that Sonny is non-verbal, and we were told he would never learn anything, this seemed like a daunting task. Although the part of his brain dealing with language has never developed, he has communicated with primitive ‘signing’, by dragging us to what he wants, and by using his eyes to stare at objects he wants, or to indicate directions he wants us to go in. Over the years, we have found that he is capable of learning and functioning to a higher level than anyone would have first guessed.
45% I want to be a voice for every single child who has autism and who cannot speak. The kids who can’t speak are just like me. We are not like everyone else.
We can’t see other people’s feelings or do well in school or pay attention. Just because we can’t be like everyone else doesn’t mean we don’t matter. We do matter.
All we need is a little compassion.
48% When I learned about how I have autism, I cried while I was in the shower. I wished the autism would die.
49% My mom heard me and she handed me the art set that my Uncle Dean gave me for my birthday. She told me to draw about what it is like to have autism. … The drawing helped me feel better.
< My Thoughts > “The drawing helped me feel better.”
Constantly looking for opportunities for children to express themselves in ways that society can embrace is a goal of many parents and teachers. Drawing filled a need for Max, for some it’s music or having a pet.
50% My parents love me as I am. I guess that is good because the autism isn’t going anywhere. Sometimes I wish I was normal but I was picked by the angels. I remember the angels. When I was born, I looked up and I thought I saw one but it was my mom.
< My Thoughts > “I looked up and I thought I saw one but it was my mom.”
Doesn’t this speak volumes about autism, angels, and moms?
===============================
Read More - go to BLOG: SCHOOL ON THE SHORT BUS ...
Blogs from the Autism Mom website –
is posted under BLOG: SCHOOL ON THE SHORT BUS & also posted under the title "Hello, My Name is Max" on Extended Review Page... to find >
GO TO NAVIGATION MENU (3 stripes in upper-left-hand corner of the webpage). Smiles.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hello, My Name is Max & I Have Autism by Max Miller, eBook 2014 Edition; with < My Thoughts > by Sara Luker
(13% indicates location in the Kindle version of the book, instead of page numbers.)
Excerpts from Forward by Rebecca Miller –
13% Hello. I’m Max’s mom. I want to thank you for purchasing his book and sharing it with others. My twelve-year-old son Max came up with the idea of sharing his story in order to help other kids who are on the autism spectrum.
This book is the result of an art show that Max put together. His drawings and essays were displayed, primarily to educate people on how different his experience is compared to kids who are “neurotypical.” His art show was very well-received and he wanted to take his message to a larger audience. The result is this book.
< My Thoughts > “The result is this book.”
When you purchase your copy of Max’s book, you will be delighted to read all the words beyond my excerpts and to see his wonderful drawings. Max’s mom also has more to say at the end of their book. Enjoy!
End of excerpts from Forward by Rebecca Miller –
===============
Excerpts from Max’s book – With < My Thoughts, by Sara Luker >
38% Max is a high-functioning autistic and was non-verbal until the age of six. He has been subject of segregation and prejudice since he was quite young. Max was denied educational and social opportunities due to his diagnosis.
After several rejections, we finally found an autism program. The interventions worked. Max is now in a regular classroom with his peers but still feels separate. He is aware of his autism but considers it a label versus a definition.
< My Thoughts > “…label versus a definition.”
Intervention works and inclusion works, but often a high-functioning child still feels ‘separate.’
39% His art reflects his view of his identity. He is able to be his own person and defy his labeling. He is not just an autistic. He is an 11 year old boy, a blend of his entire family and his life experiences.
Max said, “I am not autism. I am ME.”
End of excerpts from forward by Rebecca Miller.
( Max writes…)
42% There is a theory that my autism was caused by my getting these shots. That’s not true. God made me autistic. The shots didn’t make me autistic.
44% God sat there and asked the angels who should have autism and they chose me. The angels said I should have autism so I can make a difference in this world.
I am doing this through my drawing and writing. I want to explain how autistic kids might feel in ordinary situations.
You can’t see in my head. I’m lucky because I can talk but the words get stuck. Drawing helps me get the words out.
< My Thoughts > “the words get stuck”
When Max says the words get stuck… takes me back to what a neurologist first told us about Sonny. “It’s difficult to know just how much he really understands or is capable of learning. So, your job is finding a way to get as much information “in” and as much information “out” as you can,” she suggested.
Aside from the fact that Sonny is non-verbal, and we were told he would never learn anything, this seemed like a daunting task. Although the part of his brain dealing with language has never developed, he has communicated with primitive ‘signing’, by dragging us to what he wants, and by using his eyes to stare at objects he wants, or to indicate directions he wants us to go in. Over the years, we have found that he is capable of learning and functioning to a higher level than anyone would have first guessed.
45% I want to be a voice for every single child who has autism and who cannot speak. The kids who can’t speak are just like me. We are not like everyone else.
We can’t see other people’s feelings or do well in school or pay attention. Just because we can’t be like everyone else doesn’t mean we don’t matter. We do matter.
All we need is a little compassion.
48% When I learned about how I have autism, I cried while I was in the shower. I wished the autism would die.
49% My mom heard me and she handed me the art set that my Uncle Dean gave me for my birthday. She told me to draw about what it is like to have autism. … The drawing helped me feel better.
< My Thoughts > “The drawing helped me feel better.”
Constantly looking for opportunities for children to express themselves in ways that society can embrace is a goal of many parents and teachers. Drawing filled a need for Max, for some it’s music or having a pet.
50% My parents love me as I am. I guess that is good because the autism isn’t going anywhere. Sometimes I wish I was normal but I was picked by the angels. I remember the angels. When I was born, I looked up and I thought I saw one but it was my mom.
< My Thoughts > “I looked up and I thought I saw one but it was my mom.”
Doesn’t this speak volumes about autism, angels, and moms?
===============================
Read More - go to BLOG: SCHOOL ON THE SHORT BUS ...
Blogs from the Autism Mom website –
===============================
In case you MISSED it... AMAZING ADVENTURES, DIAGNOSIS, DENIAL, & DOCTORS, SAAVY SOLUTIONS, & SCHOOL ON THE SHORT BUS ...BLOGS with < My Thoughts > by Sara Luker ... can be found on the Navigation Menu ( 3 little horizontal lines aka 'stripes' in upper left-hand corner of the webpage screen )
In case you MISSED it... AMAZING ADVENTURES, DIAGNOSIS, DENIAL, & DOCTORS, SAAVY SOLUTIONS, & SCHOOL ON THE SHORT BUS ...BLOGS with < My Thoughts > by Sara Luker ... can be found on the Navigation Menu ( 3 little horizontal lines aka 'stripes' in upper left-hand corner of the webpage screen )
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
IN CASE YOU MISSED THESE!
Also, please check out MY LATEST BLOG POSTINGS with < My Thoughts > by Sara Luker ~ which can be found in the Navigation Menu... under: What to do While You Wait:
BLOG #1 Stories of ~ RED FLAGS & DEVELOPMENTAL CHECKLIST
BLOG #2 Stories of ~ SAFETY & SUPPORT
BLOG #3 Stories of ~ PRIORITIZE WANTS & NEEDS
BLOG #4 Stories of ~ PROGRAMS, THERAPIES, & INTERVENTIONS
BLOG #5 Stories of ~ KNOW YOUR CHILD
***Please find under the list of entries on the Navigation Menu.
IN CASE YOU MISSED THESE!
Also, please check out MY LATEST BLOG POSTINGS with < My Thoughts > by Sara Luker ~ which can be found in the Navigation Menu... under: What to do While You Wait:
BLOG #1 Stories of ~ RED FLAGS & DEVELOPMENTAL CHECKLIST
BLOG #2 Stories of ~ SAFETY & SUPPORT
BLOG #3 Stories of ~ PRIORITIZE WANTS & NEEDS
BLOG #4 Stories of ~ PROGRAMS, THERAPIES, & INTERVENTIONS
BLOG #5 Stories of ~ KNOW YOUR CHILD
***Please find under the list of entries on the Navigation Menu.
< My Thoughts >
Loving your children... keeping them safe...
& finding out how they learn is part of what parenting is all about!
Each child learns differently & each parent 'parents' differently.
This website hopefully becomes a continuing source of information for you.
When a child has difficulty learning about themselves & their world...
or, developing slowly it isn't always AUTISM.
And, if it is AUTISM... know that it's NO ONE'S fault.
The exact cause of AUTISM is yet unknown.
What is known is that it is a NEUROLOGICAL difference in the child's brain.
This difference is possibly caused by an interaction of genes & environment.
The child's development pattern begins to look different from other children their same age.
This difference can be from mild to severe. From the passive 'quiet' child to the 'wild' child.
Getting to know your child & getting help is the key. Early intervention works!
Enjoy!
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Webpage NAVIGATION MENU
( 3 little horizontal lines aka 'stripes' in upper left-hand corner of the webpage screen ) for...
Home Page, Blog Pages, Blog Categories, Gallery of Books, & List of Extended Book Reviews with < My Thoughts > by Sara Luker
with References & LINKS to websites about Autism & Amazon.com to view all books, if you wish. (My Website Offers both PC & Mobil Versions)
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Disclaimer: Just to let you know that I, Sara Luker, have put forth my best efforts to create the Extended Book Reviews presented here on this website. I have permission from the authors to publish these Extended Book Reviews. This is just a sharing of stories of those who have gone on before you. I have found current resources on the topics the authors mention. My way of adding additional information on the topic can be found in < My Thoughts > as I try to create a body of educational work. Please, understand also that all health matters ALWAYS require professional medical decisions, diagnosis, and treatment by highly qualified and licensed individuals.
NOTE: Recently, I have added “What to Do While You Wait” to the website. This collection of information is for educational purposes only. My hope is that you will not feel alone when experiencing the mysteries of Autism Spectrum Disorder. Know that I, Sara Luker, receive neither financial rewards nor other interests derived from this website. This has been created purely for the readers sharing information and for your enjoyment.
Regards,
Sara Luker