Whitterer on Autism

On another tack, there’s this little woman whom I have never met, called Vicki. She lives just a hop skip and a jump up the road from me and blogs at “Speak Softly.” She’s a busy little bug what with her “Literary Mama” column. I expect you know her too. What you may have missed, what with it being summer and all, is that her book “This Lovely Life” which is featured over here on this “Web page,” although my copy is winging it way from “Amazon,” probably via some unfortunate carrier pigeon knowing my luck. I’m pretty confident that it’ll prove a great read as she’s one of those eternal optimists but I’ll keep you posted.

The influence of modern technology:-

Whilst the boys play ‘club,’ they require their sister to ‘guess the password’ to gain entry.

“Webkinz?”
“Nope.”
“Fuzzy Wuzzy was a bear?”
“Nope.”
“Social worker?”
“Nope.”
“Double Helix?”
“Hey! You only get three guesses. You chance expire. You get to try later. Hit reset password.”

This could be yours:-

So don’t forget to add your name to the “original post list” and help spread the word for the giveaway, wouldn’t like to miss anyone out.

We bimble home from school with our pal, a mutual pal of both my boys. This is one of the great advantages of combined grades of some special education classes, the overlap of friendships and oodles of common ground amongst different age groups and abilities. They all grow older, better able to articulate their preferences, which run the gamut. A combination of sweet innocence and advanced sophistication.

My sons sit either side of their pal, three in a line. They both mimic their pal’s distinctive voice, intonation, emphasis and terminology, with perfection. The phrase ‘oh my god’ has recently slipped into his vocabulary, as it does with so many children. Whilst we also had this for a while too, careful actions by school and home alike, has caused extinction. I would prefer it not to return. They paw over the book and discuss favourites, their first favourite, their second favourite ad infinitum. Amused, delighted and engaged during the journey. My daughter points out the snow on the mountains. My daughter points out the child with a bunny ear head band. My daughter points out the skate boarder pulled by a dog. There is no end to the list of entertainment outside the car but the boys concentrate upon their indoor choice, as three pairs of feet kick to the same rhythm.
“Oh my god. That Coral snake bit off her finger.”
“Oh my goodness!” I squawk from the driver’s seat.
“Oh my god. That Asian cobra bit his arm.”
“Oh my goodness!” I repeat in the hope of penetration as my driving concentration dwindles. With each remark my boys howl with laughter.
“Look over there guys! D’ya see that kid has a heart balloon,” offers my daughter in a loud and enthusiastic tone.
No-one else looks. I give her a quick beam.
“Oh my god! That Fierce snake bit his finger.”
“Oh my goodness!” I need to think of another strategy. This is pointless but at least the car remains in the correct lane.
“Hey guys! Look over there! It’s an aeroplane with a message banner.” She’s relentless in her attempts to distract whilst I concentrate on the road.
“Maybe you could be a teacher or a therapist when you’re older dear?”
“No way mom! I’m gonna be a dog walker.”
“!”
“I spose we can’t make em stop kickin either,” she adds wanely.
“At least they’re all happy as clams.”
“Oh my god! That Reticulated Python bit his face.”
“Oh my goodness!”
“I can’t quite make it out…….it’s too far away…..can you drive a bit faster mom so I can try and read it?”
“Oh my god! That Massassauga snake bit his horse.”
“Oh my goodness! Too much traffic dear and I think it’s going the wrong way.”
“Oh my god! That Asian Pit viper bit her wrist.”
“Oh my goodness! You certainly know your body parts young man.”
“Hey guys. Look over there. That guy’s sellin roses. Hundred of em.”
“Oh my god. That Bushmaster bit that girl.”
“Oh my goodness! How can you tell it’s a girl?”
“Coz…………. of the sexy legs.”
My daughter and I lock eye balls before she splutters, “he sure told you!”

A Random Selection

Every once in a while I open my eyes and notice something small and of no significance. Today, and of no particular significance, I notice a few teeny tiny things, signs of growth.

Pre-teen’s who shun their new and highly desirable night attire, in favour of grunge.

Mental and physical preparations are made prior to my son’s inaugural sleepover away from home, primarily maternal preparations. I also learn how to scan old photographs which adds even more mental anguish of the sentimental variety.

Legs that sprout out of pyjama bottoms.

Individuals who choose to speak to their relatives by name rather than by relationship, which is highly disconcerting for the ill-prepared.

E.g. “Hey Madeline, howaya doin?”

Such startling, text book perfect, voluntary social skills, mark a sea change.

We learn our lessons well:-

Lessons About Blue Dogs

Mister Untouchable, who hates dogs, submits to “lick,” with a dollop of welcome glee.

p.s. I shall be keeping my eyes and ears open to find something to offer to “Jessica” over at “Oh the Joys” and her jolly good pal “Tania” at “Chicky Chicky Baby” for their “ROLF” award for January.

Jessica is a foreign type of person with a delightful sense of humour as evidenced by this campaign. Obviously she is Australian as this campaign is dedicated to “ROLF Harris” the humourist and artistic genius. Maybe I could invite you to play along too? As they say:-

‘If you are willing, we’d love help spreading the word. Feel free to share the deadlines with your followers and friends on Twitter and / or Facebook .

Thanks so much!

Jessica & Tania’

I’d attempt the Twitter / Facebook option but sadly, technically challenged persons, such as myself are incapable of such feats. Meanwhile, it maybe that someone is due for a “surprise,” and perhaps you might “Surprise” someone too, as there’s nothing like curling up with a good “blog?”

Cheers dears

This is what I found first thing yesterday morning at 5:10 a.m.

I really wanted to be angry as they were new for Christmas and it’s a bit nippy around here in the mornings.

I was secretly pleased as it’s a rare thing for anyone to voluntarily pick up a pair of scissors and use them as a tool purposefully.

I decided I would attempt a minor correction to this behaviour so that it doesn’t become a trend.

When I approached him he was so excited and chatterful that it was hard to get a word in edgeways, let alone an admonition.

Eventually after a great deal of gamboling he was able to show me how he had copied the illustration from his game:- Pokemon Ranger Kellen.

They could almost be twins! I did wonder why he was voluntarily dressed so early in the morning. I did wonder about the shorts in the middle of winter, to say nothing of the sleeveless shirt.

I’ll stop now as I think my bias is showing.