Re: Re: An Autism Christmas

[Guest guest]

I'm sorry to hear about the problems he is having. I hope everything goes ok.

RoxannaYou're UniqueJust like everyone else...

( ) Re: An Autism Christmas

Just got to my e-mail and found this. It couldn't have been better timed as we are preparing to put our 12yo son in a residential facility for a few days after a couple of really bad "holi-days". I've been wracked with guilt and wondering what else we could have done...but our OT made it better by asserting it might be just what he needs. Thank you for sending this out!! revmommy>> This was forwarded to me and I thought I'd share because some of it > just rings so true.> Merry Christmas!> > > 's message:> "Wrote this last year...... still seems to be fitting".> > Autism Night Before Christmas> by Waeltermann> > Twas the Night Before Christmas> And all through the house> The creatures were stirring> Yes, even the mouse> > We tried melatonin> And gave a hot bath> But the holiday jitters> They always distract> > The children were finally> All nestled in bed> When nightmares of terror> Ran through my OWN head> > Did I get the right gift> The right color> And style> Would there be a tantrum> Or even, maybe, a smile?> > Our relatives come> But they don't understand> The pleasure he gets> Just from flapping his hands.> > "He needs discipline," they say> "Just a well-needed smack,> You must learn to parent..."> And on goes the attack> > We smile and nod> Because we know deep inside> The argument is moot> Let them all take a side> > We know what it's like> To live with the spectrum> The struggles and triumphs> Achievements, regressions...> > But what they don't know> And what they don't see> Is the joy that we feel> Over simplicity> > He said "hello"> He ate something green!> He told his first lie!> He did not cause a scene!> > He peed on the potty> Who cares if he's ten,> He stopped saying the same thing> Again and again!> > Others don't realize> Just how we can cope> How we bravely hang on> At the end of our rope> > But what they don't see> Is the joy we can't hide> When our children with autism> Make the tiniest stride> > We may look at others> Without the problems we face> With jealousy, hatred> Or even distaste,> > But what they don't know> Nor sometimes do we> Is that children with autism> Bring simplicity.> > We don't get excited> Over expensive things> We jump for joy> With the progress work brings> > Children with autism> Try hard every day> That they make us proud> More than words can say.> > They work even harder> Than you or I> To achieve something small> To reach a star in the sky> > So to those who don't get it> Or can't get a clue> Take a walk in my shoes> And I'll assure you> > That even 10 minutes> Into the walk> You'll look at me> With respect, even shock.> > You will realize> What it is I go through> And the next time you judge> I can assure you> > That you won't say a thing> You'll be quiet and learn,> Like the years that I did> When the tables were turned.......>

No virus found in this incoming message.Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com Version: 8.0.176 / Virus Database: 270.10.0/1865 - Release Date: 12/26/2008 1:01 PM

[Guest guest]

Guilt...such a big thing...but you did the best thing for your son....he was at the point he needed more than you could provide and hopefully this break will help both of you....I hope he gets the help he needs. And, don't stress yourself...you are Human and can only do so much...

Jan

Janice Rushen

"I will try to be open to all avenues of wisdom and hope"

From: valeriemorrison76 <valeriemorrison76@...>Subject: ( ) Re: An Autism Christmas Date: Wednesday, December 31, 2008, 9:34 AM

> >> > This was forwarded to me and I thought I'd share because some of it > > just rings so true.> > Merry Christmas!> > > > > > 's message:> > "Wrote this last year...... still seems to be fitting".> > > > Autism Night Before Christmas> > by Waeltermann> > > > Twas the Night Before Christmas> > And all through the house> > The creatures were stirring> > Yes, even the mouse> > > > We tried melatonin> > And

gave a hot bath> > But the holiday jitters> > They always distract> > > > The children were finally> > All nestled in bed> > When nightmares of terror> > Ran through my OWN head> > > > Did I get the right gift> > The right color> > And style> > Would there be a tantrum> > Or even, maybe, a smile?> > > > Our relatives come> > But they don't understand> > The pleasure he gets> > Just from flapping his hands.> > > > "He needs discipline," they say> > "Just a well-needed smack,> > You must learn to parent..."> > And on goes the attack> > > > We smile and nod> > Because we know deep inside> > The argument is moot> > Let them all take a side> > > > We know what

it's like> > To live with the spectrum> > The struggles and triumphs> > Achievements, regressions. ..> > > > But what they don't know> > And what they don't see> > Is the joy that we feel> > Over simplicity> > > > He said "hello"> > He ate something green!> > He told his first lie!> > He did not cause a scene!> > > > He peed on the potty> > Who cares if he's ten,> > He stopped saying the same thing> > Again and again!> > > > Others don't realize> > Just how we can cope> > How we bravely hang on> > At the end of our rope> > > > But what they don't see> > Is the joy we can't hide> > When our children with autism> > Make the tiniest stride> > > > We may look at

others> > Without the problems we face> > With jealousy, hatred> > Or even distaste,> > > > But what they don't know> > Nor sometimes do we> > Is that children with autism> > Bring simplicity.> > > > We don't get excited> > Over expensive things> > We jump for joy> > With the progress work brings> > > > Children with autism> > Try hard every day> > That they make us proud> > More than words can say.> > > > They work even harder> > Than you or I> > To achieve something small> > To reach a star in the sky> > > > So to those who don't get it> > Or can't get a clue> > Take a walk in my shoes> > And I'll assure you> > > > That even 10 minutes> > Into the

walk> > You'll look at me> > With respect, even shock.> > > > You will realize> > What it is I go through> > And the next time you judge> > I can assure you> > > > That you won't say a thing> > You'll be quiet and learn,> > Like the years that I did> > When the tables were turned...... .> >> > I had to tell you I loved your poem. It says it all!> > > > > ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- -----------> > > > No virus found in this incoming message.> Checked by AVG - http://www.avg. com > Version: 8.0.176 / Virus Database: 270.10.0/1865 - Release Date: 12/26/2008 1:01 PM>