Learning how to autism

Another Cub moment, we are reading Sleep Book by Dr Seuss before bed last night. He gets upset because the characters aren’t real animals. I reply “this book is pretend.” He gets quiet, looks confused, stares hard at the book for a minute and says “it looks real to me.” (Meaning the actual book not the story)English is so hard for literal minds. 

This came up as a memory on my Facebook from four years ago. Cub is twice the size but nothing about the story has changed. Language is so hard for him. We have to be so thoughtful about the words we use, what they mean, what they imply, and how they could be interpreted.

It’s our normal. Problem is, it’s annoying in real life. I went away on a girls trip this weekend. We talked endlessly. It was amazing. Except- I spent the whole weekend basically saying, “Precision of Language.” (Read The Giver) and “clarify your pronouns.”

Annoying. Right? 🙄 My normal has changed. I am now wondering in what other ways I have tried to immerse myself in my son’s autism to clarify and enrich the world for him.

As I reflect, I have already noticed many other ways. He’s one odd example. (They are all odd).

Someone recently asked “anyone know where the area code 727 is?” I immediately responded with “St. Petersburg Florida. More specifically, I believe it’s  Panellas County.” What in the hell!? My grandparents live in St. Pete so I kinda knew it from that but not enough to offer it up as a firm answer to a question. The reason I knew it with such conviction is that Cub likes area codes. When I encounter a new area code I remember it for him. When I can answer his questions and have conversations about his interests I feel more connected to him.

So basically, I’m learning how to autism. I didn’t even notice. Wish me luck! 😁

I don’t fit my body

Tonight Cub asked me how old his brain was because he feels it doesn’t match his body.
Today he met a 6-year-old friend with the cognitive capacity of a one-year-old. Rather than thinking any less of the other child he began self-reflection. Without prompting, He quickly shared with me that he isn’t the same age as his body either.
After he asked, I shared his cognitive age with him (based on IQ testing). His reply was that he and (friend) are the same because they don’t fit their body.
I spend so much time explaining to adults how the autism spectrum works- they are all different but their challenges are similar- but Cub gets it.
I wish I could claim some credit for his insight but he’s lightyears beyond me.

What is a soul?

Today’s question from Cub was “what is a soul?” This kid keeps my mind racing.

I said it’s all your thoughts and actions, everything that makes you uniquely you.

I feel like I’m going to have to defer to Siri from this point forward.

Cub stacked the deck

Cub got tonight’s game out, set everything up, and then announced, “I want to be third.” This sounds suspicious….Suspicions confirmed. Our 4 year old stacked the deck.

 

It looks real to me

Another Cub moment, we are reading Sleep Book by Dr Seuss before bed last night. He gets upset because the characters aren’t real animals. I reply “this book is pretend.” He gets quiet, looks confused, stares hard at the book for a minute and says “it looks real to me.” (Meaning the actual book not the story)
English is so hard for literal minds. 🙂

Mommy, You’re Smarter Than That

Cub: what’s this mommy? Me: a dinosaur. Cub: you’re smarter than that mommy, it’s a stegosaurus.

Wonderful

Cub’s new word of the day is ‘wonderful.’ Everything from the clouds to his snack has been ‘wonderful.’ I could get used to this….

Get another job

Cub: mommy you don’t have a bike.

Me: your right Cub- what should I do about that?

Cub: you should get another job!

Cub rides Thomas the Train

Me ‘hey Cub, guess what? we are going to ride on Thomas the train on Sunday!!’ Cub’ how bout we move that up to Saturday?’ Me ‘well the tickets are for Sunday in the Caboose!’ Cub ‘nah, I’d like to be in the engine please’ (Geez- no pleasing this kid)

Patience

Reading Cub a story that went something like ‘I do not like green eggs and-cough cough cough, I do not like them Sam I cough cough am.’ Cub got fed up and said ‘Can I just do it?’ Hahahaha He requires so much patience but offers none 🙂 so much for that bonding opp….