autism daily

Riding the Bus

Collin rode the bus home for the first time today. The ride went great and you would have thought Obama was on the bus due to the awareness  and preparation of this ride. His teacher and school did a few things to help prepare him for this transportation change as I have picked him up in carpool line since pre-school. We thought he would really enjoy this change and it would give him more time around peers. Before the Holiday break, Collin's "shadow" started to take him out to the buses each day after school to allow him to get aquatinted with the buses, the noise, and to watch the other children get on the bus. He became excited about riding the bus even just from that experience. His teacher also made a social story about bus safety and sent a copy home to us to read with Collin. She then found three older peer helpers who would look out for Collin's safety on the bus. Collin met the bus driver weeks before this transition was to occur and Collin quickly learned his name. Although Collin can not or does not express verbally how happy he is, I could tell he really enjoyed this experience due to the big grin on his face. It is a great experience for him and for his older peer helpers. I am not surprised at how these three other children want to help Collin and enjoy having this responsibility. Children are always eager to learn more about Collin and assist him when they can. These helpers will set a great example and teach other peers that all children are not all the same.

My National Spelling Bee Champ!

There are so many quirky but awesome things our kids with autism poses. Some of them are annoying (many of them) and some are quite amazing. Our son Collin has become an incredible speller. He can spell the most ridiculous words! Prestidigitation, synecdoche, and embrocation just to name a few(and he is only 6). In fact, he just spelled these for me as I type because I asked him to spell some of his favorite words. So many times when I talk to someone about Collin they ask me "what is his thing"? It is an interesting concept, "his gift, or talent, or thing". I think so many people are catching onto these wonderful gifts our children have. It is so nice to recognize these positive actions they poses.I have heard of children who are experts in the construction and operation of elevators; kids who are amazing with numbers, reading, music, art ect.... I think it is wonderful to specialize in something. So many of us are pulled in so many directions that I think many people feel as if they can never give 100% to anything. As a founder of Maximum Potential Kids, a mom, a wife, homeowner, daughter, sister, aunt, friend, CrossFit trainer ect.... I feel as if no one , or job, or thing gets 100%. Collin has the ability, (as ironic as this sounds for someone with autism) to focus on the one thing he wants to do or "his thing". If Collin wants to spell, he can shut out anything else at that time and spell like crazy. Of course this is not always appropriate, but what a gift! These kids with these amazing talents can be a great asset to others in the work place one day. I m sure many businesses would love to have someone who could shut out everything to just do their job 100% when needed. This is another life lesson Collin is teaching me. I am seeing  reduction in the value of multi-tasking and an appropriate need for focus on one thing, or the thing I need to do at that time. Giving 100% towards one task, or person, or job, or chore is providing a much better outcome with little time spent re-doing something and in the end is far better than multi-tasking all the time. I am now learning that one of those things need to be ME! I encourage anyone to decide what they want to be a "champ" at and go for some time with 100% attention towards your goal and see the results.