Golden Tickets

Guest Post by "Spectrum Mom" of AutismReads.com

In her recent blog post, "Forever Child," on "The Journey with Grace," Leisa writes beautifully about her Grace seeing the world from a different perspective than the college freshman in the same aisle of Target. She notes that the parents of typically developing adults may think of her child far differently than she does--not knowing all the wonderful gifts that Grace brings to the world with her differences.

My boy with autism spectrum disorder also has a unique way of seeing the world, which also differs far more from the usual than most people are comfortable with at first. And what Leisa and I both know first hand is that the problem of perception grows with your child....

Even as your children’s abilities grow, so does people’s discomfort with their differences. What fails to grow are opportunities for these young men and women to play and learn. Many programs stop at ages twelve, eighteen, or twenty-one. Once legally adult, there are fewer and fewer support systems or social outlets for people who may need them more than ever.

When my son was little, we were often offered free tickets to the ballet, circus, or other loud and crowded performances because he had autism. We appreciated those offers very much. But because he had  sensory issues, which often accompany the autism diagnosis, those places overwhelmed him. So we didn’t take the tickets and we didn’t go--for years. 

Now his sensory system is more mature and can handle these situations much better. He still has a much younger child’s delight in many of these shows. He is also almost 12.  Soon, he will be officially “too old” for the free tickets.  Bless all the organizations that give tickets to the special needs community and a special blessing to those organizations that offer tickets without specifying age. Yes, other patrons may stare.  So what?

With our children especially, age is just a number. 

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Leisa here: Ahhh! Don't you just love that last line? Thank you, Spectrum Mom!...We mothers of special children are always conferring, celebrating, consoling....She says that a conversation we had last week spurred this post.  For several Mondays, I am reposting a series of reviews on "grown-up books" about autism over at Spectrum Mom's blog, Autism Reads. Go take a look. Spectrum Mom blogs about "Books for Children with Autism." 

Comments

[Leisa A. Hammett]

Lisa, thanks for reading and leaving a comment. Just wanted to note this was a guest post on my blog. I shared your comment with the author, Spectrum Mom. I loved her perspective on the specifics of art events.

[Lisa Shields (galadrial)]

Hi.

Until 10 years ago, I had no idea of the language of special needs. Aspergers, autism---none of it had meaning until my daughter was classified . In the last decade, I've met and worked with exceptional teachers, and parents who were kind enough to share their experiences. I've made connections with groups like ASAH, and NAPSEK, and while my child is now out of the system, I continue to be involved on a state, and occasionally a national level.

The one rule for all of us never changes...be your child's advocate. Never be willing to accept something unless you are convinced it is in your child's best interest. And try to be patient with the ignorant, or ill informed. Most of them don't mean to be offensive...and we can better use our time informing the people who can actually make changes for our kids, than trying to shout down a well of ignorance.

Hand in there...and God bless.

[Spectrum Mom]

Thank you both, you horizon-expanders you.

[Leisa A. Hammett]

Thank you for reading and commenting, Dawn!

[Dawn Kirk]

beautifully written. Thank you!!!