Re: kid/kid teasing -and RPM -what do you guys think of this?!

[Guest guest]

That was a sad and touching story at the same time.  What a wonderful cousin he

has!  Thanks for sharing.  I checked out the site (link), but was too tired to

comprehend a word of what I " read " , so I gave up. 

Blessings to You,

 

********************************************************************************\

***********************************************************************

 

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you:  not as the world giveth give

I unto you.  Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. 

14:27

 

From: kiddietalk <kiddietalk@...>

Subject: [ ] kid/kid teasing -and RPM -what do you guys think

of this?!

Date: Wednesday, December 3, 2008, 7:42 PM

Brett McKenziePosted December 2, 2008 | 04:05 PM (EST) BIO

Hearing : A Boy with Autism Finds His Own Voice

My cousin and I are speaking to each other for the first time

in a decade. He tells me about the usual things that interest ten-

year-old boys: his favorite restaurants, karate class, his new

haircut, and Nintendo games. I find myself enjoying our conversation

and hearing about the activities that are important to him.

As we prepare to head to the park, withdraws. He is visibly

frustrated, sighing loudly and frowning. I ask him what's wrong. What

he tells me breaks my heart.

" People at school say I'm stupid, " he says to me, fighting back tears

and fidgeting nervously. " People at the park say I'm stupid. "

My aunt had mentioned to me that there had been an incident weeks

ago, that one of 's classmates had teased him, but I had no

idea how much it still affected him. I am torn between my sympathy

for my cousin and my anger at his peers for hurting him so deeply. We

all are teased as children. But for children with Autism who are

unable to defend themselves with a quick comeback or a threat to

tattle, being teased cuts at a deeper level.

has Apraxia and does not speak. So you may be wondering how he

told me about his classmates' cruelty. He found another way.

For years, has been learning the Rapid Prompting™ Method of

communication, developed by Soma Mukhopadhyay and taught by the

Helping Autism through Learning and Outreach (HALO) non-profit

organization. Using an alphabet letter board and electronic

communication device, spells out what he wants to say with his

fingertips. Because his hand muscles are weak, he needs someone to

sit with him and support his wrist, but it is who does all the

talking.

Until recently, spelled out only words and short phrases to

communicate, and only with his parents. But a few months ago, he

began holding full conversations with his mother. Using the letter

board, he now constructs clear, coherent, and complete sentences.

Through this tool, we are learning more about 's personality,

his sense of humor, and his emotions. He love sharing himself with

us.

This is why I say that and I have just spoken to each other

for the very first time. For his entire life, I've been talking at

him, and always getting the same responses: a wave for hello, sign

language for " yes " and " no, " and a kiss on the cheek whenever we said

goodbye. Last weekend, as he sat beside me, I watched him move his

little fingers gently from letter to letter on the board, spelling my

name slowly but correctly on his first try: B-R-E-T-T.

's parents, who are the most loving and patient people I have

ever known, have spent years explaining that even though he is non-

verbal, understands everything being said around him. Those of

us who know and love him have never for a second doubted his

intelligence. But even my aunt was surprised when , having

learned that his grandmother had just passed away, said matter-of-

factly, " I understand death, mommy. "

's communication breakthrough and good behavior have made it

possible for him to attend a non-Special Education school for the

first time this year. With that comes a classroom full of children

without disabilities, without aides, without Autism. With that comes

children who ask questions, point, stare, and laugh at what they

don't understand. 's newfound ability to articulate himself so

fully has been a major milestone in his young life; but it has also

been tarnished by the hurt he feels at school.

Nothing is more painful than watching a child you love refuse to play

in the park on the first warm day of spring because he is afraid of

being teased. Regardless of whatever insensitive insults people toss

his way, the word " stupid " is the one that takes the most

offense to. Rightly so, because he is smarter than most ten-year-olds

without disabilities. But he is also far more sensitive.

We sit on the couch, and slips his shoes off and on, clearly

torn between enjoying the gorgeous weather with his family and facing

being ridiculed again. 's big sister , who is not

Autistic, offers to " beat up " anyone who calls stupid. I

laugh.

indicates to his mom that he would like to speak to me. My

aunt takes his hand and he hunches over the board, spelling out

slowly but deliberately, " Say I'm not stupid. " He lifts his head and

looks at me with tears pooling in his big, blue eyes. I am fighting a

lump in my throat as I exclaim, " Of course you're not stupid! I've

known that your whole life. " He returns to the letter board. " Say I'm

nice. "

" You are one of the nicest people I've ever met, " I tell him, and I

mean it. climbs into my lap and wraps his arms around my neck,

giving me a long, tight hug. Although affectionate, 's hugs are

usually brief, one-armed gestures used to say thank you or goodbye. I

know without looking into my aunt's damp eyes that this hug means

something big, for me and for .

Since first reported being called stupid to my aunt, she has

spoken to his class about Autism and even gave a demonstration with

the letter board to show how communicates with her. " He can

talk? " several students asked in surprise. " He can spell? "

Kids will be kids, and some of 's classmates who see him as an

easy mark continue to pick on him, but others have stepped up and

offered friendship and support to my cousin. As I told , people

make fun of what they don't understand. Once you get to know ,

he is impossible not to love.

Next weekend is 's first birthday party with children from his

new school. I know he'll be busy with his friends and his gifts, but

I selfishly want him to spend some of the time just talking to me. I

think about all the years of dialogue that must be boiling inside of

, ready to burst, and how he must say things one letter at a

time. He'll get quicker, I know. Soon I'll be the one struggling to

keep up with him, trying to follow his hands as they fly across the

letters on his board.

I feel as though I am getting to know someone I've just met, yet

talking to someone I've known my whole life. Hearing is

teaching me to appreciate the things that matter about a person:

their kindness, their eagerness to learn, and their compassion.

would like me to tell you a few important things. First, he is

not stupid. Second, he is nice. And third, if you are interested in

learning more about the Rapid Prompting™ Method that gave his

voice, please visit http://www.halo- soma.org/ learning_ faqs.php

http://www.huffingt onpost.com/ brett-ashley- mckenzie/ hearing-justin-

a-boy-with_ b_147817. html

=====

[Guest guest]

That was a sad, touching, and uplifting story all at the same time.  What a

wonderful cousin he has!  Thanks for sharing.  I checked out the site (link),

but was too tired to comprehend a word of what I " read " , so I gave up. 

Blessings to You,

 

********************************************************************************\

***********************************************************************

 

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you:  not as the world giveth give

I unto you.  Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. 

14:27

 

From: kiddietalk <kiddietalk@...>

Subject: [ ] kid/kid teasing -and RPM -what do you guys think

of this?!

Date: Wednesday, December 3, 2008, 7:42 PM

Brett McKenziePosted December 2, 2008 | 04:05 PM (EST) BIO

Hearing : A Boy with Autism Finds His Own Voice

My cousin and I are speaking to each other for the first time

in a decade. He tells me about the usual things that interest ten-

year-old boys: his favorite restaurants, karate class, his new

haircut, and Nintendo games. I find myself enjoying our conversation

and hearing about the activities that are important to him.

As we prepare to head to the park, withdraws. He is visibly

frustrated, sighing loudly and frowning. I ask him what's wrong. What

he tells me breaks my heart.

" People at school say I'm stupid, " he says to me, fighting back tears

and fidgeting nervously. " People at the park say I'm stupid. "

My aunt had mentioned to me that there had been an incident weeks

ago, that one of 's classmates had teased him, but I had no

idea how much it still affected him. I am torn between my sympathy

for my cousin and my anger at his peers for hurting him so deeply. We

all are teased as children. But for children with Autism who are

unable to defend themselves with a quick comeback or a threat to

tattle, being teased cuts at a deeper level.

has Apraxia and does not speak. So you may be wondering how he

told me about his classmates' cruelty. He found another way.

For years, has been learning the Rapid Prompting™ Method of

communication, developed by Soma Mukhopadhyay and taught by the

Helping Autism through Learning and Outreach (HALO) non-profit

organization. Using an alphabet letter board and electronic

communication device, spells out what he wants to say with his

fingertips. Because his hand muscles are weak, he needs someone to

sit with him and support his wrist, but it is who does all the

talking.

Until recently, spelled out only words and short phrases to

communicate, and only with his parents. But a few months ago, he

began holding full conversations with his mother. Using the letter

board, he now constructs clear, coherent, and complete sentences.

Through this tool, we are learning more about 's personality,

his sense of humor, and his emotions. He love sharing himself with

us.

This is why I say that and I have just spoken to each other

for the very first time. For his entire life, I've been talking at

him, and always getting the same responses: a wave for hello, sign

language for " yes " and " no, " and a kiss on the cheek whenever we said

goodbye. Last weekend, as he sat beside me, I watched him move his

little fingers gently from letter to letter on the board, spelling my

name slowly but correctly on his first try: B-R-E-T-T.

's parents, who are the most loving and patient people I have

ever known, have spent years explaining that even though he is non-

verbal, understands everything being said around him. Those of

us who know and love him have never for a second doubted his

intelligence. But even my aunt was surprised when , having

learned that his grandmother had just passed away, said matter-of-

factly, " I understand death, mommy. "

's communication breakthrough and good behavior have made it

possible for him to attend a non-Special Education school for the

first time this year. With that comes a classroom full of children

without disabilities, without aides, without Autism. With that comes

children who ask questions, point, stare, and laugh at what they

don't understand. 's newfound ability to articulate himself so

fully has been a major milestone in his young life; but it has also

been tarnished by the hurt he feels at school.

Nothing is more painful than watching a child you love refuse to play

in the park on the first warm day of spring because he is afraid of

being teased. Regardless of whatever insensitive insults people toss

his way, the word " stupid " is the one that takes the most

offense to. Rightly so, because he is smarter than most ten-year-olds

without disabilities. But he is also far more sensitive.

We sit on the couch, and slips his shoes off and on, clearly

torn between enjoying the gorgeous weather with his family and facing

being ridiculed again. 's big sister , who is not

Autistic, offers to " beat up " anyone who calls stupid. I

laugh.

indicates to his mom that he would like to speak to me. My

aunt takes his hand and he hunches over the board, spelling out

slowly but deliberately, " Say I'm not stupid. " He lifts his head and

looks at me with tears pooling in his big, blue eyes. I am fighting a

lump in my throat as I exclaim, " Of course you're not stupid! I've

known that your whole life. " He returns to the letter board. " Say I'm

nice. "

" You are one of the nicest people I've ever met, " I tell him, and I

mean it. climbs into my lap and wraps his arms around my neck,

giving me a long, tight hug. Although affectionate, 's hugs are

usually brief, one-armed gestures used to say thank you or goodbye. I

know without looking into my aunt's damp eyes that this hug means

something big, for me and for .

Since first reported being called stupid to my aunt, she has

spoken to his class about Autism and even gave a demonstration with

the letter board to show how communicates with her. " He can

talk? " several students asked in surprise. " He can spell? "

Kids will be kids, and some of 's classmates who see him as an

easy mark continue to pick on him, but others have stepped up and

offered friendship and support to my cousin. As I told , people

make fun of what they don't understand. Once you get to know ,

he is impossible not to love.

Next weekend is 's first birthday party with children from his

new school. I know he'll be busy with his friends and his gifts, but

I selfishly want him to spend some of the time just talking to me. I

think about all the years of dialogue that must be boiling inside of

, ready to burst, and how he must say things one letter at a

time. He'll get quicker, I know. Soon I'll be the one struggling to

keep up with him, trying to follow his hands as they fly across the

letters on his board.

I feel as though I am getting to know someone I've just met, yet

talking to someone I've known my whole life. Hearing is

teaching me to appreciate the things that matter about a person:

their kindness, their eagerness to learn, and their compassion.

would like me to tell you a few important things. First, he is

not stupid. Second, he is nice. And third, if you are interested in

learning more about the Rapid Prompting™ Method that gave his

voice, please visit http://www.halo- soma.org/ learning_ faqs.php

http://www.huffingt onpost.com/ brett-ashley- mckenzie/ hearing-justin-

a-boy-with_ b_147817. html

=====