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Conversation

I'd rather write about his improvements. It makes for a happier blog. This week we had two happy days at preschool.

On Wednesday he invited another little boy to sit down with him at lunch. Then he made conversation by saying "I've got a skateboard at home." Wow!

He's also playing well with his little brother. They are quite good friends, and enjoying jumping, wrestling and trying things out together.

It's nice when these flashes of good stuff come through. It gives me strength to keep going through all the scripting and silly stuff that goes on.

Science centre

We joined up at the Wollongong Science Centre and have been three times so far. Each time I have noticed improvements in Bright Eyes.

One of the exhibits is called the 'ballerina stand'. The science centre staff have to help the children stand in the right position, tell them what to do, and then set them spinning.

The first time we went, Bright Eyes ran away as soon as the staff member started to talk.

The second time, he lasted about 20 seconds before it was all too distracting for him.

This last time, he listened, adjusted his position, referred to the staff member's face, and did the ride until the end!

The only improvement could have been to say thank you at the end. I was very pleased!

Thanks for Buzz Lightyear and homeopathy

It's funny how different people have differing opinions about homeopathy. I have some friends who are quite shy of it for religious reasons, some who dismiss it as quackery and not within the bounds of 'real medicine' and others who embrace it to the exclusion of regular doctoring.

Having grown up with homeopathy all my life, I'm just fine with it. And since it managed to cure my daughter's chronic cough, I've been a little bit evangelistic about it. It's had a good effect on my husband's stress too just recently.

I have no issues taking Bright Eyes to the homeopath for treatment. I am always amused by the interesting questions our homeopath asks (eg. What kind of food does he crave? Is he afraid of storms? Are his hands sweaty? What position does he sleep in?) But her remedies seem to hit the mark.

This week he's been taking a more concentrated dose of whatever it is in the little bottle (phosphorus for the curious - but don't self-dose because this sort of remedy must be individualised), and I've definitely noticed his change of mood to generally happy and smiley instead of aggravated and frustrated. He still has 'his moments' but I have noticed a good improvement.

Tonight, for the first time ever in his life, he hugged his dad when he came home from work. And later in the evening, he was lying down and dad suggested he pray, so he said, "Dear God. Thank you for Buzz Lightyear and I found the backpack and the wing and fixed him up. I like flying toys. Amen." Wow!

Run run

Playing duck duck goose at his brother's birthday party last week.

Excuse me, but

Last night I had a dream that the Red Wiggle, Anthony, told me off for the way Bright Eyes was behaving at a school sports day.

"Excuse me, but he's autistic. I can't make him be quiet," I said to him, and then woke up.

Now that Bright Eyes is 5, I am starting to get a few more comments about his behaviour. People don't necessarily expect say, a three year old, to look at them, or answer, or even say anything remotely coherent. Once a child gets to the age of 5, however, there are more expectations on him.

Today we were at the pool. We have been there before with fewer people around. Bright Eyes swims very happily and confidently with his floaties on and loves being in the big pool.

Today was a lovely warm Sunday afternoon, and the pool was full. I was sitting by the side watching both boys when I saw o0ne of the lifeguards come by and try to tell Bright Eyes something. I could see that he was getting no response, so I went up to see what the problem was.

"He can't be in the big pool with floaties," he said. "If he loses one, he'll be in big trouble and I can't watch him all the time."

I started to get anxious. I knew that a happy trip to the pool could possibly turn into a major episode if I had to make him move.

"It's ok with me," I said. "He goes in there a lot and I'm watching him closely."

"Well, he'll have to go in the small pool. He just can't go in the big pool," he said again.

"I'm going to have trouble with that," I said. "He's got autism and if I tell him he has to move out when he's already been in there, he's going to cause a big big fuss."

"Oh, hmm, well, I guess if you stay here and watch him it will be ok," he said eventually. So I stayed less than four feet away from him for the rest of the time.

When the lifeguard came back, he tried to talk to him again to explain, but Bright Eyes figured out that he didn't like what he was saying, so he said to me, "Make him go away," and pointed at him. "I don't like it."

The lifeguard laughed a little bit and Bright Eyes said, "It's not funny. He can't laugh!"

After a few more unsuccessful attempts to connect with him, the lifeguard gave up and said to me, "You've got your hands full."

Yep.

yay for the government

The new Labour government promised when they got into power that they would find funding for autism. Today, they have come through on their promise for me.

I found out today that they will pay $6,000 each year for the next two years until Bright Eyes is 7 in fees to our RDI consultant for ongoing therapy. This will cover our therapy costs.

I am really pleased about this. I had just let our consultant know that we were going to have to give up her regular help and just toddle along on our own because we had run out of money to pay for RDI after doing it for two years.

Now we can continue on, thanks to Kevin Rudd and the pollies who are taking autism seriously!

Update

Oh, and he's been going in happily to preschool every morning this term...

Friends

Here is Bright Eyes with Poppa - his great-grandfather. Pop has always had a special connection with him and the two of them are good friends.