Wah wah wah Wah wah

So, I assume that everyone is familiar with Charlie Brown.  You never see the adults in any of the Charlie Brown movies, just their legs.  You never hear them actually talk either.  All you hear is...

Or, just in case you have never heard it, which I find impossible inconceivable! 

I was thinking about this today.  How many times do we talk, give our opinion, our advice, our heartfelt thoughts and then realize that no one is actually listening?

It has happened to me on occasion and I don't know about you, but, I find it really annoying.

I have written about Samuel finding his voice before.  If you don't know his story, you can read it here - The Power of 3 Words

We always knew that if Samuel could tell us what he needed, that his meltdowns would diminish. 

 After all, don't we all want to be heard?

Today was a lesson for me.

Firstly, it can be a crushing feeling to realize that nobody listens to you.  Well, I guess they listen, but do they hear what you are saying?

Secondly, never assume that others understand what you are saying to them.  Today was the lesson of the pot holder.

Sam and I were doing a science experiment today.  It involved the melting of a marshmallow over a candle and observing the changes.  I forgot to bring a pot holder up to our class room, so I sent Sam down to get it.  I described what it looked like and where he would find it.  I heard Sam down in the kitchen opening the draw that holds all the pots and pans.  "We don't need a pot..." and once again told him where it was and what it looked like.  Sam came up with a pot.  So, I ended up going down and showing him where the pot holder was and what it was.  After all that, we didn't even use the stupid pot holder!!!!

But, it was a lesson for me.  Never assume that people get what you are trying to say.  Sam was listening, but, obviously, I needed to do a better job explaining.  If it is important, make yourself heard.  Way back when Sam had full blown meltdowns, he was trying desperately to make himself heard.  I look at the tv, social media, the news, etc., and see so many people having the equivalent of a melt down.  People think that to get what they want, a public display of aggression is the way to go.  We see this all the time in customer service.  "I want to get a discount, so I will yell at this person until I get it."

Can you be heard and understood using a quiet voice?

I think the answer is yes.

Can we be heard, understood and get what we want using a quiet voice?

I still think the answer is yes.  Just ask my grand-babies!!! 

3 Little Words.........

Do you remember the first time your child told you,

"I love you?"

I do.

I remember where I was and what I was doing the first time Samuel turned to me and told me those 3 little words.

It was long after most children utter those words.

Every day I told Samuel that I loved him.

It wasn't just these 3 words that failed to come from Sam's mouth, but words of any kind.......silence.

Samuel had been on schedule with words.

Mum, Mum, Mum.

Dad, Dad, Dad.

Ball, drink, hot, cold.

Then, gradually, they went away.

Occasionally, he would still say a word or two.

But.......tears, anger and frustration would often occur when our sweet little boy tried to make his needs known.

 With the help of wonderful therapists and teachers.....the words started to come.

With good friends bending down and telling Samuel, "Hello," week after week....the words started to come.

Telling Samuel every day, "I love you".....the words started to come.

The day that Samuel told me, "I love you," I cried.

Sometimes I still do when he tells me.

Samuel tells me nearly every day that he loves baby Tristan very much.

It isn't all sunshine and roses however.

Along with all the words that a mother loves to hear, there are many that I don't!!

Now Samuel can express his feelings more, there is less frustration.  Less meltdowns.

There are a lot of bad jokes that are hilarious to an 8-year old.

There is joy.

This has all been on my mind since Sunday.

Samuel asked a friend at church how come they were so tall.

The reply was, "Because I eat all my vegetables."

Later on that day, I heard Samuel asking someone, "Why are you short?"  "Are you a little adult?"

It just struck me how wonderful it was that Samuel was instigating conversations.

It struck me just how grateful and blessed I feel.

This morning, Samuel came up to me, kissed me on the cheek, and said, "I love you."

Sunday night......Sam ate all his vegetables!!!

 

Sally-Ann



The Greatest Show On Earth!!!!

Today we went to the circus.

Since we have been in Florida, attending the Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus nearly every year.  They kick off their tour here in Tampa.

This year the theme is Legends.

"Behold the living legends! Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey^® brings the unbelievable to Children Of All Ages in an all-new show - - Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Presents LEGENDS. Experience unimaginable family fun, as amazing performers from around the globe perform awe-inspiring feats of daring, spectacles of strength and thrills of wonder to summon the mythical and mysterious creatures of the past: a Unicorn, a Pegasus and a Woolly Mammoth! Join us for an unforgettable family night of legendary proportions! Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Presents LEGENDS!"

There was a Unicorn, a Pegasus and a Woolly Mammoth.

They were a little hokey.

Well........a lot hokey!

But, the show was still fun.

It is always a gamble taking Samuel to a show like this.  

It is noisy and flashy. 

 It involves a lot of sitting. 

 There is a squash of humanity........  

Sam did great.

When you think of a circus, you think of clowns!

 Samuel did not like the clowns.

You think of a Ring Master!

  Sam was not impressed.

Elephants?

 Sam was out taking a walk when the elephants took center ring.

Lions and tigers and bears ??

More walking requested......

So, what impressed you Samuel?

Let me show you!!! 

 The motorbike riders going around and around in this sphere.

Eight of them!

 The trapeze artists!

 Samuel just loved the acrobats.

 But, these were his absolute favorite.

He loved that they jumped through rings.

This was the act that bought the words, "Wow!" and "I hope they make it!" out of his mouth.

This is why we keep taking Samuel to all kinds of different experiences.

Sometimes we last 10 minutes.

But, today we lasted the whole show.

Sally-Ann 

What is Autism?

I have been asked this question so many times.......

I sometimes feel I need to have a card printed out so I can hand it to people.

Today Autism Speaks posted this article.

http://www.autismspeaks.org/what-autism

I would encourage everyone to read it.

There are so many things out there about Autism.  One of my favorite quotes is,

This beautiful boy is why I choose to talk about autism and how it has affected our family, and most of all, how it affects Samuel.

I have been mulling things over in my mind
(A dangerous pass-time I know!!)
and have decided that I am going to be very forthcoming about our journey with Samuel.  Life is a joy with Sam, but it can also be brutally painful at times. 
If anyone chooses to go on this adventure with us, you will most definitely realize why my blog is called,
"Wombats in the Belfry."
Today, this is pretty much how I feel.......
Sometimes
and if you are interested in one of my very first posts about autism, I wrote it when Sam was 4-years-old......
Look Into My Eyes
Oh, how far we have come!!!! 
This morning, as I walked into the living room, Sam ran up to me, threw his arms around me and said, "Good morning Mum, I love you!!"
Is there a  better way to start the day??
Suddenly, my mood is lifted......

Sally-Ann



Sam & Elmo's World

Last year, September I think, we took Sam to see Sesame Street Live.  Samuel does not really watch Sesame Street. but has always loved Elmo.  Samuel doesn't really sit still for TV, movies, let alone a show with loud music, lights.......bright fuzzy creatures running around.......

but, we thought it was worth the chance!

Of course, we had to take Elmo along!!!

Here is Samuel and Dad waiting....and waiting.....

and waiting......and waiting

to go in.

We signed up to do the meet and greet before the show started.  We didn't know how Sam would do.  We didn't know if that was all that we would do and end up having to go home.

We had to give it a try.

We prayed that Elmo would be part of the meet and greet.

He was!!!

Hooray!!!

Sam was happy!!!!

So was Jim and Sally-Ann!!!!!

Sam was having a tough time waiting in line.  Some nice families let us go ahead of them......

there are some good people in this world!

Bert was there as well.

I felt bad for Bert.

It was all, "Elmo, Elmo, Elmo!"

Sam gave Bert some love.......

Jim and Elmo hangin' out and waiting for the show to start.

Front seats baby!!!!  Wooo hooooo!

When it started, Sam did not move from his seat.

Intermission......Sam moved.

A lot

Very quickly

All over

Bert had some moves

Big Bird and Little Bear??

Not so much.

There was about 10-15 minutes left and Sam told us it was time to go home.

He stood up.....

and left!

So did Jim and I!

Sally-Ann