Sometimes, autism feels like this. |
All in all, there are about half a dozen programs that we're interested in. There's a program on social thinking, parenting techniques, stranger danger and picky eating. There's also a summer camp that we think would be beneficial for Jacob that focuses mainly on social interaction, which like many kids with autism, Jacob needs work on.
These programs occur monthly and some have multiple classes that run only on weekends, so it looks like we're going to be busy until Jacob goes back to school next year. As Jacob has gotten older, we've immersed ourselves deeper and deeper into programming and school stuff that it feels like we too, along with Jacob, have an ASD.
But this is what has to be done. With all the extra work that we and Jacob school has done, there's been great improvements in Jacob's attitude and he's improved socially every year. We're just thankful that programming like this does help, because there are many parents out there that have no way to help their autistic kids.
And when we get tired of all the extra work, or we get frustrated with Jacob's behaviour, we just think about all the ASD kids that have more difficulty than Jacob, which really puts things into perspective. So here's a word of advice that my dad told me many years ago. When things get tough, "just keep your head up" and of course, "roll with the punches". And when we keep these simple phrases in mind, things do become a lot easier.
Summer camps are great. My son attended them every summer even before he was diagnosed with Asperger's we sent him because we knew he needed help with social skills. We just didn't know why! So most of the summer camps were not autism related until the summer before high school. It's good to have so many options like you guys do and to know what your dealing with. Hope Jacob is better!
ReplyDeleteWe hope that his social behaviour improves this year. He usually does, but you never know what's going to happen. All we can do is keep working on things together in hopes that things get better.
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