New Playroom Video

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[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQehJfxcARg[/youtube]

Hi Everyone. This is a new playroom video of my son and I running session. He was diagnosed with moderate autism 2 years ago, and is doing remarkably well with the Son-Rise Program we are running. Always remember your child is a GIFT!

That is awesome. Thanks for sharing the video. I am so happy to see a man working so hard for his child. Your dedication to him is a gift. Keep it up.

Wow, I could feel the love you two have for each other coming right through my monitor! Seriously beautiful. I've heard of the sonrise program for homeschooling but I didn't know it was used for autistic kids in particular. Could you tell us a bit more about it?

I would also love to know where you got that equipment for your playroom - I'm assuming it's in your own house?

I just visited your blog - EXCELLENT BLOG - and got the info on where to get that jungle gym and more info on the sonrise program. I especially liked how you walked through the different elements in the playroom and why they were specifically chosen (clear bins so they know what to ask for, plain table to reduce distractions, frosted windows etc). My older son has Aspergers and is extremely social and excessively verbal - Aspergers often looks very different from what most people expect Autism will look like - but my younger son who is only 1.5 years, may very well be on the spectrum too, but I doubt an Aspergers dx for him because his language is delayed rather than early.

Thanks for sharing this, and your blog!

Caitlin- The Son-Rise Program has specific curriculum for high functioning Aspergers. When I went to the Start-Up program I described in my blog, we initially all started in the same room. Then the facilitators split us up into 2 groups 1. non-verbal/emerging verbal and 2. highly verbal/aspergers/PDD groups. It was really eye opening to learn that where ever the child is on the spectrum, there are some basic similarites. Stimming, looping, ism-ing, repetitive behaviors...whatever you want to call it, most kids on the spectrum do it.

An Autistic kid might flap his arms, or climb a tree, or chew on something. An Aspergers kid might talk about the same thing over and over again in a loop. They taught us that when ever your child is doing these things "being exclusive" just join them in the behavior and wait for a green light/eye contact to make a request. They say "They show you the way in, and you show them the way out." The primary goal is relationship building/interaction and NOT the tasks. It is VERY controversial to some, and many behavior professionals roast the program on this principle alone.

I don't care what anyone says, my wife and I tried everything. I'm all about results. The Son-Rise program is not for everyone....but it works for us. It comes from such a loving accepting place, it just changed our lives. I move WITH my son now, not AT him or AGAINST him. My son's repetitive behavior was climbing, and I used to wig out when he would do it. I'd yell at him, physically take him down from whatever he would climb on....and he would still do it all day long. It never occured to me that his climbing could be the doorway into his world. Once it was pointed out to me that his climbing could be the key, it was like a light bulb turned on in my head. Like the biggest AHHHH HAHHH ever. We bought the jungle gym and as you can see from the videos...the proof is in the pudding.

Another amazing feature of the Son-Rise Program is the support group you inherit. I am in constant contact with all 80 classmates I had at Start-up. We email each other daily with ideas, triumphs and not-so-triumphs. Its an awesome resource...much like this Wrong Planet Parent Discussion Forum. I think I said it best in this blog entry:
Father Warrior: Peas

BJ- This is going to sound strange. I was not always like this. I was the biggest skeptic and nay sayer you could ever know. I got mad at my parents for suggesting that there was something wrong with my son. Denial is powerful.

Fast forwarding to now...what changed? I was given knowledge and techniques that properly equipped me for this battle. I was negative before, because I didn't know what to do. Being angry, being negative felt good...made me feel in control of a situation I was not equipped to handle. Now that I have the tools, its easier to do the work. You don't have to tell a parent to do everything they can for their child...its in our DNA as parents. When you don't have the right tools, you will be limited and it will seem like you're not working hard...it may even seem like your lazy. I think I said it best in the blog entry:

KNOWING IS THE BATTLE

Someone suggested to me when my son was about 2 or 3 that he had autism. I scoffed at them. I said 'He is just pretending to be a Teletubby'. Several people actually mentioned this to me over the years. I didn't see any of his behavior (symptoms) as a problem that needed to be dealt with. He was intelligent, well-behaved, well-mannered and accused of being a 'perfect child' by outsiders. He was always him and I always accepted him how he was.

Fast-forward to now, at 10 years old. Negative behaviors, frustration, rage, isolation, obsession, lack of self-care skills and sensory issues became extremely apparent as expectations increased with his age. Still smart, still wonderful, but overshadowed by debilitating rage and sensory issues. Ok, now we need help.

Denial - yes. Misinformation - yes. What do you mean 'autism'? Children with autism cannot speak! That's what I thought anyway.

Star Wars fan, are you?

I confess, when you first joined, I was a little wary; "what is he promoting and why?" But I've figured out you are just really excited to have found your way with your child, and why shouldn't you be? You're a dedicated father with an adorable son. We all have to find our own paths to that place, and you've found yours. All's good

And ...

May the force be with you.

DW- There is always a "feeling out" period when anyone enters a new public forum. It happens on every forum from motorcycles to cars etc etc. If I came into the forum with my guns blazing "SON-RISE IS THE BEST...EVERYTHING ELSE SUCKS." I would have been roasted alive. Believe me...the only thing I'm promoting is to not give up on your child. However you want to do that do it with all your heart. If my son wants to spin plates....I'll be the best damn plate spinner with him. If he wants to climb a tree, I'll grow a prehensile tail!

What I like about this Wrong Planet forum is how real it is. There are real people with real problems, not just parents but adult people on the spectrum too. People on the spectrum surviving, thriving or not-so-thriving. Its refreshing to be exposed to a not so goody goody forum. Its like the opposite of facebook, where everyone posts like they are in Utopia. "Eating sushi..to die for!" "Here's me at the mall getting a mani a pedi and a thready." Some times I wish I could post a reply saying.....I GOT AN AUTISTIC KID....WHO F-ING CARES!

Anyways, I will leave you with words of wisdom from Yoda: "Do or Do not, there is no try."