Summer is in full swing and Robbie is busy with "summer school" which consists of 2 hours of ABA and 30 minutes of speech or OT in the morning and 2 additional hours of ABA at home in the afternoons 3 days a week. As expected the home based therapy has been going really well- less distractions, and the school based programs have been touch and go. Lately the hardest behavior to handle is the hitting and kicking. Robbie does not like to hear no- as any child would. For Robbie- there are 3 strikes against him. He is a boy. He is a toddler. He is Autistic. For me the greatest challenge has become his size and strength. He is big for his age and very strong. This means- it hurts when he hits and kicks. The bruises on my legs and the shoe mark on my husband's back are the proof. The good thing is he is talking more and asking for more. However many times what he is asking for is not what he wants. Usually we can figure it out- but not always. Our ABA therapist had recommended we start collecting pictures of objects he may want. They use this in the classroom he will be attending in the fall. The reinforcement of the visual cue and verbal cue help. For example- sometimes he asks for a Popsicle but really wants a lollipop. He may ask for blue core ( from the movie Astro Boy) but means a Popsicle. However if you show him the Popsicles with out the box ( where the picture is) he may say no. It is frustrating for him and for us. We continue to work with him and add additional hours of ABA and silently pray for results.

What is Autism?

There is so much confusion about Autism. Autism is a complex neurobiological disorder that lasts throughout a person's life. It is sometimes called a developmental disability. The main signs and symptoms of Autism involve communication, social interaction and behavioral issues. Why is Autism such a difficult disorder? A child with Autism looks like every other child. They don't stand out like those with downs syndrome or some other disorders. When you have an Autistic child people really don't understand the challenges. Why is this perfect looking child having such a severe meltdown or not answering basic questions? It must be bad parenting, spoiled child, etc.

A child with Autism does not retain information as "normal" children do. Robbie needs continual prompts on basic every day skills. How to wash his hands. He knows how- but seems to forget the steps and looks for constant prompts and reinforcement. Potty training- he has repeatedly started off strong and then seems to loose it. He does not like to be wet but if he is not constantly reminded - will not sit on the potty- and then randomly will- without prompts. It is frustrating and makes me worry. The more I read about Autism and talk to other parents ( who are not millionaire celebrities) the more I realize how debilitating this disorder is.

We are in the process of setting up a trust for Robbie. What we haven't said out loud but I think of it everyday- the trust is for our son who may not be able to live independently- ever. We continue to make small advances in some ways and steps back in others. I am watching our daughter develop and she continues to amaze me. Her speech- many times in full sentences and her grasp of concepts. " Why is Robbie crying?" I have explained to my not yet 2 year old daughter that Robbie has trouble getting his words out and gets sad and frustrated. I never would have thought a child so young would comprehend that- but she does. And as she gets older I will continue to explain Autism the best I can. I'm still trying to figure it out myself.