Thursday, November 18, 2010

"We're not Booboo and Isabella any more;...

...we the Chef Girls in the whole world!" This was Isabella's exclamation to me when we were preparing waffles yesterday. Doesn't that just make you want to plotz?! Too cute as far as I'm concerned.

Her comment and her ability to express herself made me happy and sad. You see, there are so many people on the autism spectrum who are unable to express themselves verbally. For their loved ones, it might be a guessing game as to what their needs are. I am happy that Bells can express herself and sad when others can't.

Bells doesn't show many outward signs of her condition. If you don't spend much time with her you would just see a "normal," five year old girl. It's when you are in her company for a while that you see the stimming by waving around a piece of paper she has torn, leaving behind shredded paper in her wake or wonder at her astute observations not realizing she is repeating scripts from a tv show (delayed echolalia), one way she learns to express herself. She also won't poop on the toilet yet; a common problem in our community.

We are able to take Isabella out for a meal with little possibility of a meltdown. Many, many families on the spectrum aren't so blessed. Their worlds are very small, unable to venture out to do the simplest of things with their child(ren) for fear of the world being too much for these special loved ones. Their neurotypical children are pulled in as well and their parents have the guilt of that on their already burdened shoulders.

Yes, we have it good. My heart goes out to the families who are fighting the fight and are leading the way. Two blog sites you might be interested in by moms who are making a difference are
A Diary of a Mom and Rhema's Hope. Want to know how the mind of a person with Asperger's Syndrome works? Visit Aaron at Life on the Other Side of the Wall.

I love this community. gail

5 comments:

  1. Just stopping by to say hello to the Chef Girls. That is too cute indeed! Made me smile.
    I am home resting today as I have come down with a nasty flu bug, and I hope it soon flys away.
    Hope you are having a good day.
    You all remain in my thought and prayers Gail. Hugs, Dianne :)

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  2. Hi Gail,

    I think this probably is a very wide spectrum, I must read more, certain aspects of it might just apply to someone close to me. You are wonderful with your Bells - May God Bless you and her and her family. Nita.

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  3. I love that you are involved in this community and are taking it on rather than just sweeping it under the rug. Bells already has such an advantage because you are in her life!

    By the way, I put the cake ball recipe on my site, just for you! They are seriously ridiculous, but great for the Holidays!

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  4. happy thanksgiving to you & your family :)

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