A few years ago he was oblivious to danger posed by automobiles amongst other things, and wandered off on a day I was in charge. He crossed a main street on a busy Saturday afternoon while I was on a lengthy business call. When I ran in a panic around the house, down the yard to the river and back to call 911 they told me he had been taken to a neighborhood convenience store by a good samaritan.
I was responsible. Until finding his whereabouts and confirming his safety I experienced total fear and guilt of such intensity I can still feel them nearly intensely today as I type. And always will. Those intense emotions do not prevent experiencing joy with Conor every day as when he reads aloud on his own initiative or adds his numbers for fun, (Both ABA taught) or flies like the wind down the walkng trail.
Conor's ABA therapists worked out a program to teach him to stay on our property and we worked on it with him for a long period of time. Life experiences, such as an arm fracture incurred when, jumping off the front step railing for the 100th time in one day, he slipped on the grass and had to be taken on a hospital "adventure" have also instilled some restraint in Conor.
My son also has "danger" issues, compounded by the fact that we have a pool in our yard. We installed 8' iron fencing around the pool with verticalbars that he cnnot (yet) climb. We also have a security alarm in the house, and any door "beep-beep"s when opened. We work with Jason on these things, but his learning curve is a lot slower than, for example, his little brother. Anyhow, its nice to see an autistic boy running and playing. God knows we as parents get to take the good with the bad.
And just an aside, Mr. Doherty. Have you read any of my blog other than the post you commented on? I was a bit surprised at the vehemence with which you chose to insult me. I'm a pretty good guy, and a pretty good parent. When we set out on a treatment course, my son was no "less autistic" than Conor is, according to you. Yet we chose less than a 40-hour/week program for our own though-out reasons. You seem to be a rather harsh judge of people whom you do not know. Maybe I'm wrong - but I am not used to being insulted in that way by a seemingly intelligent man who is a devoted father.
That was not "just an aside" Steve. You promote the ideology of a group which condemns other parents for seeking to cure their children of what is by definition, and by the experience of most parents who actually raise autistic children, a serious neurological disorder. You praise those who harshly condemn and mock parents seeking to help their own children.
I wish your son, and YOU, well. But I do not respect the anti-cure ideology that you promote.
Does he wait? Sometimes Charlie does, sometimes not.....
ReplyDeleteHe waits now.
ReplyDeleteA few years ago he was oblivious to danger posed by automobiles amongst other things, and wandered off on a day I was in charge. He crossed a main street on a busy Saturday afternoon while I was on a lengthy business call. When I ran in a panic around the house, down the yard to the river and back to call 911 they told me he had been taken to a neighborhood convenience store by a good samaritan.
I was responsible. Until finding his whereabouts and confirming his safety I experienced total fear and guilt of such intensity I can still feel them nearly intensely today as I type. And always will. Those intense emotions do not prevent experiencing joy with Conor every day as when he reads aloud on his own initiative or adds his numbers for fun, (Both ABA taught) or flies like the wind down the walkng trail.
Conor's ABA therapists worked out a program to teach him to stay on our property and we worked on it with him for a long period of time. Life experiences, such as an arm fracture incurred when, jumping off the front step railing for the 100th time in one day, he slipped on the grass and had to be taken on a hospital "adventure" have also instilled some restraint in Conor.
My son also has "danger" issues, compounded by the fact that we have a pool in our yard. We installed 8' iron fencing around the pool with verticalbars that he cnnot (yet) climb. We also have a security alarm in the house, and any door "beep-beep"s when opened. We work with Jason on these things, but his learning curve is a lot slower than, for example, his little brother.
ReplyDeleteAnyhow, its nice to see an autistic boy running and playing. God knows we as parents get to take the good with the bad.
And just an aside, Mr. Doherty. Have you read any of my blog other than the post you commented on? I was a bit surprised at the vehemence with which you chose to insult me. I'm a pretty good guy, and a pretty good parent. When we set out on a treatment course, my son was no "less autistic" than Conor is, according to you. Yet we chose less than a 40-hour/week program for our own though-out reasons. You seem to be a rather harsh judge of people whom you do not know. Maybe I'm wrong - but I am not used to being insulted in that way by a seemingly intelligent man who is a devoted father.
That was not "just an aside" Steve. You promote the ideology of a group which condemns other parents for seeking to cure their children of what is by definition, and by the experience of most parents who actually raise autistic children, a serious neurological disorder. You praise those who harshly condemn and mock parents seeking to help their own children.
ReplyDeleteI wish your son, and YOU, well. But I do not respect the anti-cure ideology that you promote.
Pretty good shot. Sorry about te delay. My minds have been with other issues this week.
ReplyDeleteThis blog is getting interesting....