Planet Carter: January 2012

High Functing Autism

People with high-functioning autism or Asperger's syndrome do not have the delayed language development that's typically found in people with autism. In addition, people with high-functioning autism have average or above average intelligence. However, they may show other behaviors and signs similar to what's seen with other types of autism: delay in motor skills lack of skill in interacting with others little understanding of the abstract uses of language, such as humor or give-and-take in a conversation obsessive interest in specific items or information strong reactions to textures, smells, sounds, sights, or other stimuli that others might not even notice, such as a flickering light Unlike people with other forms of autism, people with high-functioning autism or Asperger's syndrome want to be involved with others. They simply don't know how to go about it. They may not be able to understand others' emotions. They may not read facial expressions or body language well. As a result, they may be teased and often feel like social outcasts. The unwanted social isolation can lead to anxiety and depression.

Saturday, January 21, 2012

I'm not getting out of this car till I'm a Christian

On Tuesday morning January 17, 2012 Carter accepted Jesus as his Lord and Saviour (his boss). Of course in "Carter style" he was sweet and funny.
We were on our way to school (I work at his elementary school)at 7:00 in the morning and I was in a hurry. Carter was in the back rambling on about the trinity. I was trying to keep up with his thoughts when all of a sudden, as we pull up in the parking lot he says "I'm not getting out of this car till I'm a Christian". He was very serious and said he wanted the holy spirit to live in his heart. We prayed and thanked God for forgiving him of his sins, and asked Him to live in his heart. He said he believed Jesus is the only way to God, and now God was the boss of him. He was so excited the next day at AWANA he told everyone and was proud.
It is a wonderful day when the child you gave birth to is reborn into Gods family.

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

when we cry its because we have too much love in our hearts

I have had on stressful holiday. Carter had broken his arm right before Thanksgiving. He ran into a neighbor while they were bike riding and when he fell he put his arm down to stop his fall and ended up with a compound fracture. We rushed him to the closest ER and when I asked for the doctor we usually have for orthopedics they told me he wasn't on call. Anyway to make a long story short, the doctor set his arm wrong and it didn't heal right. My mommy instinct kicked in and we got a second opinion in a different office. The appointment was on the Tuesday before Christmas and his surgery to have it re broken and rods put in the bones was Thursday before Christmas. He will have the rods removed in 6 weeks. The pain medicine did crazy things to him but he is doing better now.All of that to say I had a crying meltdown in front of the boys over a accumulation of things and this is what happened...
Carter said "sometimes when we cry its because we have too much love in our hearts and it gets so full it bursts and tears come out"
My first born will teach me more than I will ever teach him, no matter what goes go his heart is always so pure

Navigating Love and Autism

Navigating Love and Autism
www.nytimes.com
It is about two Asberger college kids learning how to love each other. Very interesting and strait from their point of view.