...is the repetition of vocalizations made by another person.
Delayed echolalia has been defined as the "echoing of a phrase after some delay or lapse of time". Persons with autism who repeat TV commercials, favorite movie scripts, or parental reprimands are examples used in describing this phenomenon. It may or may not be communicative.
Brogan expands on the general base of repeating not only vocalizations of other people, but sounds they make (he cannot snap his fingers, so he makes the motion with his hands and imitates the sound with his tongue). He can also very accurately repeat any animal vocalizations and vehicle sounds.
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Friday, March 28, 2008
Autism: The Musical
This special aired on HBO this week.
I know I will always be sensitive towards this topic because of the obvious, but it still stuns me to realize how deeply things like this special move me. To feel the tears welling up and pouring down my cheeks in rivers as I hear other parents echoing my sentiments. See other people struggling with the same issues I do. Knowing, even in this, I am not alone.
To see bits and pieces of your child represented in other infinitely unique and special children.
To know other children are going through, have gone through and will continue to carry on the same as your child.
Is heart breaking.
There is one line in particular I object to venomously, it's uttered by one of the children's care takers. She says, "... it really breaks my heart when I kind of realize, wow... if he wasn't Autistic, you can just imagine the possibilities". If I were that child's mother - I'd find him another care taker. SHE may just be the one holding him back *mutters a curse word in her general direction*.
Cute:
Boy #1: "You are very smart!" (after listening to boy #2 talk about reptiles)
Boy #2: "Thanks! I always wanted to hear that..."
Sad:
Mom: What does Autism mean?
Daughter: It means something is damaged inside you
Mom: It makes me feel scared. It makes me feel responsible. It makes me feel ... sad.
Another: I want the world to welcome her and they don't ... I can try to enlighten them; but I cannot make them respect her.
Father: I always try to dream up a scenario for the future. I'm gone and she's going to be okay because ... what? What did I do now to make sure that's going to happen?
Boy: (the first words he's able to communicate, at 11 years old, via a typing voice box) "Mom, I'd like to put you on the spot."
"Be more of a listener."
I know I will always be sensitive towards this topic because of the obvious, but it still stuns me to realize how deeply things like this special move me. To feel the tears welling up and pouring down my cheeks in rivers as I hear other parents echoing my sentiments. See other people struggling with the same issues I do. Knowing, even in this, I am not alone.
To see bits and pieces of your child represented in other infinitely unique and special children.
To know other children are going through, have gone through and will continue to carry on the same as your child.
Is heart breaking.
There is one line in particular I object to venomously, it's uttered by one of the children's care takers. She says, "... it really breaks my heart when I kind of realize, wow... if he wasn't Autistic, you can just imagine the possibilities". If I were that child's mother - I'd find him another care taker. SHE may just be the one holding him back *mutters a curse word in her general direction*.
Cute:
Boy #1: "You are very smart!" (after listening to boy #2 talk about reptiles)
Boy #2: "Thanks! I always wanted to hear that..."
Sad:
Mom: What does Autism mean?
Daughter: It means something is damaged inside you
Mom: It makes me feel scared. It makes me feel responsible. It makes me feel ... sad.
Another: I want the world to welcome her and they don't ... I can try to enlighten them; but I cannot make them respect her.
Father: I always try to dream up a scenario for the future. I'm gone and she's going to be okay because ... what? What did I do now to make sure that's going to happen?
Boy: (the first words he's able to communicate, at 11 years old, via a typing voice box) "Mom, I'd like to put you on the spot."
"Be more of a listener."
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Sensory Integration
It is almost impossible to keep Brogan still for more than a couple of seconds unless he is completely absorbed in what he is doing/watching. Keeping him seated and focused is a struggle both Kimberly and I have. Recently she requested we start a new type of therapy that integrates various items to keep him concentrated on what he's doing more than what he wants to be doing. The first thing she uses is a wiggle seat that requires him to concentrate on staying balanced in his seat rather than getting up, playing with various body parts or articles of clothing.
She says this method seems to be going rather well, there are times he does get up but when she requests he sit back down he does immediately. He also needs Vestibular Input because he shows signs of: being a "thrill seeker" (loves jumping from high places), has trouble staying seated, prefers to lie down rather than sit up, enjoys being upside down, loses balance frequently. To help balance out the needs of his brain they weigh his body down, switching between a weighted vest for an hour at a time and a weighted lap pad when he is sitting. At first I thought it was to wear them out (haha, no seriously, I couldn't figure out why they'd else they'd put weight on a child); but after researching the topic I discovered it actually brings them comfort (or will after they adjust to it). Right now, Brogan doesn't look nearly as pleased about using the lap pad as the little girl in the picture - but at least he's stopped trying to take off the weights as soon as they are placed on him.
She says this method seems to be going rather well, there are times he does get up but when she requests he sit back down he does immediately. He also needs Vestibular Input because he shows signs of: being a "thrill seeker" (loves jumping from high places), has trouble staying seated, prefers to lie down rather than sit up, enjoys being upside down, loses balance frequently. To help balance out the needs of his brain they weigh his body down, switching between a weighted vest for an hour at a time and a weighted lap pad when he is sitting. At first I thought it was to wear them out (haha, no seriously, I couldn't figure out why they'd else they'd put weight on a child); but after researching the topic I discovered it actually brings them comfort (or will after they adjust to it). Right now, Brogan doesn't look nearly as pleased about using the lap pad as the little girl in the picture - but at least he's stopped trying to take off the weights as soon as they are placed on him.
Friday, March 7, 2008
I love you Mama
It's been said that kids with Autism have a hard time expressing their feelings, which overall, is true. Brogan has a hard time vocalizing anything. Wants, needs, likes, dislikes - forget about expressing his feelings.
This hasn't been a huge issue with us, he's not overly volatile, mostly goes with the flow and rarely has emotional flare ups because of his inability to express what he wants or needs. Which is huge, if I had a lot to say but didn't know how to express it vocally, I'd be throwing tantrums like you never saw!
From time to time I have wished for him to spontaneously tell me he loves me, but have been able to assuage the disappointment in that with the fact that a lot of kids aren't as affectionate as he is. His snuggles, kisses, and hugs make up for a whole lot.
This afternoon, he brought me to tears. I leaned over and gave him some kisses on his neck as he was playing with his farm animals and he giggled. Then he put his hand on the side of my head as I was pulling away, looked me in the eye with a quirky smile on his lips and said, "I love you Mama!"
This hasn't been a huge issue with us, he's not overly volatile, mostly goes with the flow and rarely has emotional flare ups because of his inability to express what he wants or needs. Which is huge, if I had a lot to say but didn't know how to express it vocally, I'd be throwing tantrums like you never saw!
From time to time I have wished for him to spontaneously tell me he loves me, but have been able to assuage the disappointment in that with the fact that a lot of kids aren't as affectionate as he is. His snuggles, kisses, and hugs make up for a whole lot.
This afternoon, he brought me to tears. I leaned over and gave him some kisses on his neck as he was playing with his farm animals and he giggled. Then he put his hand on the side of my head as I was pulling away, looked me in the eye with a quirky smile on his lips and said, "I love you Mama!"
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