Excerpts from Forward by Rebecca Miller, aka Max's Mom,
with < My Thoughts> by Sara Luker –
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!
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’. Autism is just part of who Max is. He is autism, and much, much more. And, know that school 'labeling' can be removed when the child graduates.
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.
As Max says, “I am not autism. I am ME.”
End of excerpts from Forward by Rebecca Miller.
with < My Thoughts> by Sara Luker –
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!
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’. Autism is just part of who Max is. He is autism, and much, much more. And, know that school 'labeling' can be removed when the child graduates.
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.
As Max says, “I am not autism. I am ME.”
End of excerpts from Forward by Rebecca Miller.
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 probably would never learn anything worthwhile. Teaching him seemed like a daunting task. Although the part of his brain dealing with language has never developed, he has communicated with primitive ‘signing’, and by dragging us to what he wants. Or, 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. I think it is because he feels safe and loved.
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.
52% The classroom is really hard for someone like me. (The book shows a drawing titled, The Classroom.)
Red waves are coming after me while I sit at my desk. This represents how I interact with other people and distractions.
One of the waves might be a classmate going against me or saying something mean to me. Another wave is the assignment but kids are distracting me and I miss the instructions.
53% My anger bubbles up. This is the blue – my frustration with the drama in my classroom. I have to read and write and listen all at the same time.
The black is my brain core. It’s really dark. When I am in a good mood, it’s white and green but when I get upset, it turns black.
I feel upset sometimes in the classroom. My stomach hurts and I want to go home. I feel overwhelmed and small. I just want to shrink down and vanish.
I sit by myself because I don’t want to be near anyone. My friends might think I’m claustrophobic but I’m just irritated when I have to be around others, especially when I have to concentrate.
< My Thoughts > "...I don’t want to be near anyone.”
A high-functioning child still seems to feel 'separate' and it also often means that he has to 'separate' himself in order to continue ‘be’ high-functioning. Sometimes, the environmental input just overwhelms one's sensory system.
57% Sometimes I feel frustrated when I get an assignment but I have no idea what it is about.
Since I have autism, I get pulled out of my class for tutoring and therapies. As a result, I miss the instruction. So I get my assignments when I get back and have no clue what to do.
< My Thoughts > “...I get pulled out of my class...”
As a special education teacher and part of a team whose members include the child’s tutors, specialists, and therapists, I try to prevent having students pulled from core classes. This is just one of the 'problems' which needs to be overcome when 'Inclusion' with the general population is part of the student's Individualized Education Program (IEP).
58% It drives me crazy and I get really frustrated.
79% My parents are the best. They didn’t give up on me, even when they were told by doctors that there wasn’t any hope.
My mom said that she saw light in my eyes. She knew I was there. I know what she is talking about. I see it too, in the other kids. By that, I mean the kids like me.
It’s hard. I know, to be around kids like me. But please, give us a chance. Don’t give up! And to kids like me, just be yourself. That is what makes YOU!!!
80% You are AWESOME. We are awesome!
Your friend,
Max
< My Thoughts > “You are AWESOME.”
You are AWESOME, Max…and Mom is too!
End of excerpts from Max Miller's book.
Thank you for reading and sharing my BLOGs. Comments are welcomed, to be viewed and answered privately. My goal is to assist families, clinicians, educators, and all people ‘autism’, to continue their journey on the Autism Highway. At the end of each website Extended Book Review, please find a source to have the whole book to read.
Regards,
Sara Luker
Paid Link Disclosure -
These Extended Book Reviews have an Amazon Link for actual book purchases. Please read this Paid Link Disclosure AKA Affiliate Links Disclosure:
Sometimes there are paid links, also known as affiliate links, used on this site. My website, www.sarasautismsite.com, is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. This is an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
I may earn or receive a small paid commission from referrals for book purchases made through posts, pages, and links on this site. But I try to remain unbiased and I do not accept paid reviews. All opinions expressed here are my own.
There is no extra cost to you when purchases are made using the provided links. By using the links I provide you agree that you’ve read this paid link disclosure statement.
Thank you!
Sara Luker
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 probably would never learn anything worthwhile. Teaching him seemed like a daunting task. Although the part of his brain dealing with language has never developed, he has communicated with primitive ‘signing’, and by dragging us to what he wants. Or, 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. I think it is because he feels safe and loved.
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.
52% The classroom is really hard for someone like me. (The book shows a drawing titled, The Classroom.)
Red waves are coming after me while I sit at my desk. This represents how I interact with other people and distractions.
One of the waves might be a classmate going against me or saying something mean to me. Another wave is the assignment but kids are distracting me and I miss the instructions.
53% My anger bubbles up. This is the blue – my frustration with the drama in my classroom. I have to read and write and listen all at the same time.
The black is my brain core. It’s really dark. When I am in a good mood, it’s white and green but when I get upset, it turns black.
I feel upset sometimes in the classroom. My stomach hurts and I want to go home. I feel overwhelmed and small. I just want to shrink down and vanish.
I sit by myself because I don’t want to be near anyone. My friends might think I’m claustrophobic but I’m just irritated when I have to be around others, especially when I have to concentrate.
< My Thoughts > "...I don’t want to be near anyone.”
A high-functioning child still seems to feel 'separate' and it also often means that he has to 'separate' himself in order to continue ‘be’ high-functioning. Sometimes, the environmental input just overwhelms one's sensory system.
57% Sometimes I feel frustrated when I get an assignment but I have no idea what it is about.
Since I have autism, I get pulled out of my class for tutoring and therapies. As a result, I miss the instruction. So I get my assignments when I get back and have no clue what to do.
< My Thoughts > “...I get pulled out of my class...”
As a special education teacher and part of a team whose members include the child’s tutors, specialists, and therapists, I try to prevent having students pulled from core classes. This is just one of the 'problems' which needs to be overcome when 'Inclusion' with the general population is part of the student's Individualized Education Program (IEP).
58% It drives me crazy and I get really frustrated.
79% My parents are the best. They didn’t give up on me, even when they were told by doctors that there wasn’t any hope.
My mom said that she saw light in my eyes. She knew I was there. I know what she is talking about. I see it too, in the other kids. By that, I mean the kids like me.
It’s hard. I know, to be around kids like me. But please, give us a chance. Don’t give up! And to kids like me, just be yourself. That is what makes YOU!!!
80% You are AWESOME. We are awesome!
Your friend,
Max
< My Thoughts > “You are AWESOME.”
You are AWESOME, Max…and Mom is too!
End of excerpts from Max Miller's book.
Thank you for reading and sharing my BLOGs. Comments are welcomed, to be viewed and answered privately. My goal is to assist families, clinicians, educators, and all people ‘autism’, to continue their journey on the Autism Highway. At the end of each website Extended Book Review, please find a source to have the whole book to read.
Regards,
Sara Luker
Paid Link Disclosure -
These Extended Book Reviews have an Amazon Link for actual book purchases. Please read this Paid Link Disclosure AKA Affiliate Links Disclosure:
Sometimes there are paid links, also known as affiliate links, used on this site. My website, www.sarasautismsite.com, is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. This is an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
I may earn or receive a small paid commission from referrals for book purchases made through posts, pages, and links on this site. But I try to remain unbiased and I do not accept paid reviews. All opinions expressed here are my own.
There is no extra cost to you when purchases are made using the provided links. By using the links I provide you agree that you’ve read this paid link disclosure statement.
Thank you!
Sara Luker
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