This is what my day was like

As my son was falling asleep he blurted out, "the Biscuit of Doug." This rather puzzling phrase is actually a quote from a Veggie Tales video, as were the next four or five things he said.

Psychologists call blurting out random, seemingly meaningless phrases echolalia and behavioral psychologists discourage it. 

I don't agree with them. What I learned from those few phrases was what my son had on his mind and what he watched on TV today. 

While it's not a perfect way to communicate, right now it's one of the tools he's got to share what's on his mind. He'll pick up more sophisticated tools later, but right now this is what he's got.

Unlike some psychologists I've encountered, I won't deny him that tool. It wouldn't be right. 

I'm back!

My wife and I came back from shopping. My son eagerly ran up to us and announced, "I'm back!"

He still hasn't mastered pronouns yet.

Easter Concert

So it was time for the annual Easter concert tonight. My kindergarten son stood on the risers, watching the teachers and making some high pitched noises that my wife and I could hear at our seats 30 feet away. He seemed happy and I grinned.

Noticing my amusement, my wife asked, somewhat amused herself, "Are you proud?"

Yes, yes, I am. My son didn't sing but he sat through a concert that seemed very long to him, without protest. He seemed to enjoy himself, and his classmates actively took care of him making sure he stood and sat at the right times.  He had fun, and his friends watch out for him. He's learning to work with a group in a social setting. 

If that isn't a reason to be proud, I don't know what is.

The voice as she imagines it

When my daughter reads her story Bible she tries to make the characters' voices sound different. It's always interesting that the voice of God is deep and kind of gruff. In some way I think she's trying to capture the awesomeness of God. He's not merely a small kid-sized voice but someone big and mighty. It's interesting to get this small glimpse of what's going on in my daughter's head.

Mwa

I was putting my son to bed last night. He's usually pretty quiet, doesn't say much at bed time except for "give a hug."

When I thought he was almost asleep I whispered "I love you." He turned to me and said "mwa" which is the sound you make when you kiss someone. 

He loves me, too.

It's not a chore

Yesterday was Autism Awareness Day. In my town there were two main events. One was a flag raising at city hall, and the other a march at the Legislature.

Speeches were given. At one event they talked about the possibility within autistic kids and how much they're capable of; at the other they seemed to focus on how difficult it is to parent a child with autism, how lonely, how isolating.

I guess both are true. Kids of all sorts have amazing potential and that's exciting. However, parenting kids of all sorts is often stressful. It can be difficult. That comes with the job. 

As a dad of autistic kids I try not to complain about the problems I have. All parents have problems. What I try to tell people about are all the cool things my kids do that will encorage people to see my kids as similar to theirs.

My daughter loves chapter books and is currently trying to read the entire Bible. (Okay, that may not be so typical, but I like to brag about my kids.) My son, given half a chance, will climb the furniture up to the ceiling. He's energetic and a little reckless but that's pretty typical for most boys.

Most of all, I know my kids love me though others may not always see the signs. That takes those difficult moments and carries me through them. Parenting my kids is not a chore or a burden, it's a blessing.

We can't focus on the difficulties we face but on the blessings God gives us iin the kids we have. When we do that, somehow God gets us through it all.