Yo Mick here.
Grwomth.
I have a mouthful.
I’ve developed an overly fond attachment to this purple whatever I received for Christmas, the first one. We had 2 Christmas’ at our home. I like that Christmas seemed to go on forever this year. I Love Christmas Time.
But, Christmas is over.
Mum says she’ll finish putting away the decorations this weekend. She took down the tree last weekend. Too bad we can’t keep the cheerful decorations up awhile longer yet, I like them but Mum claims it’s past time to put them away. Sometimes time is a real important matter in our home and sometimes it isn't.
We move on a blend of Autism time and college time around here.
Autism and college time are a bit different than other time apparently. College time is what mum is on. Her days begin and end with the homework and all of the studying she does. Sometimes things get done and sometimes things are put on hold depending on Mum’s coursework.
Autism time is fitting in the rituals, needs, and sometimes very urgent demands of someone with autism. Its reacting and planning and moving through the day, week and year in a manner that best works for someone on the autism spectrum, whatever that is for an individual and their family. (Mum taught me that)
College time blended with Autism time is my normal time.
I had no idea that there were other schedules or ways to experience time.
It’s like autism.
If mum hadn’t started explaining to me about autism behavior traits and such, I’d have had no idea that my boy Red wasn’t what others call “normal”. Sure, he doesn’t always act like the other humans but I never stopped to consider that different.
None of them really act like the other.
What the heck is normal anyway?
Frankly I don’t really believe there’s such a thing as a "normal" person.
Mum explains normal is more of a range of behaviors and ideals that can be used as a tool to evaluate if someone needs special help with something. Sometimes, she says, its a term used in a mean way.
I've seen meanness but I still don’t understand normal - any more than I understand meanness.
I do however understand my brother, Red. There's not a mean bone in his body.
Mum says that if I study Red and study autism, I can help others understand kids with autism better. She's going to help me learn more about autism – on college time, which will be blended with autism time of course. Which means fitting teaching me in with our normal schedule.
Sporadic is a time that comes to mind.
2 comments:
College? Wow. I'm exhausted just thinking about going back there, and back when I was in college I was a carefree kid without any real responsibilities. How do you do it?
I didn't think about it.
I committed to completing my BA after my divorce sans the distractions of a man in my life (which greatly helped!) and did complete my BA in Humanities and Communication with a concentration in "Creative Writing and Social Action"!
Along the way, a few of my professors made snide comments about my experiences not being scholarly got me upset.
Also they didn't approve of any source that didn't contain a PhD in the name tag.
Around the same time, I was getting the run around from Red's school district.
I noticed that the most helpful information I received about autism came from Moms; many had returned to school to gain validation in the form of the PhD title.
I started thinking that if I planted myself in the school, I'd have insider's information and could yank some chains for change that way.
Yes! I have succeeded in helping not only Red but other kids and families too.
So here I am, weeks from completing my MA in Special Education and contemplating carrying on.
I may as well, there's a hiring freeze in our state and I really don't want to move to one of the 8 remaining states w/o hiring freezes.
Sooooo - I'll probably plunge soon.
I encourage you - go for it!
The biggest hurdle in returning to school is yourself.
And if school isn't for you, getting a position in your child's school district really has perks for you child!
Professional courtesy has some pull.
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