These Are a Few of My Favorite Things
By Darlene Rowley
Editor's note: The opinions expressed herein are those of the author exclusively.
By Darlene Rowley
Editor's note: The opinions expressed herein are those of the author exclusively.
Our son, Johnnie, was diagnosed as PDD-NOS at age 2, he now he is 4 years old. Our daughter, Charlotte, is just 21 months older than he is, now five years old and in Kindergarten.
Since Johnnie's diagnosis, Charlotte has grown up with the conversation of autism, as we speak freely about it at home
Since Johnnie's diagnosis, Charlotte has grown up with the conversation of autism, as we speak freely about it at home
and amongst family and friends. Our daughter knows more than any five year old should have to know about autism and as a result, has matured greater than any little girl should for her age. Charlotte has even joined in ABA/speech/OT-PT therapy sessions. The way she assists her brother with prompting for words is incredible; she could be a therapist herself! Her bonding and perseverance has remained steadfast, even when some children would become disappointed and disengaged. He completely adores her. She has never given up on him, and in turn, she is beginning to see some reciprocity in their relationship.
Charlotte is in Kindergarten and had a project this fall where she had to make a poster about herself and bring in three things that are important to her. She brought out her stuffed animal horse, pool toys, and then went into my bedroom for the last item. She came to me with one of my Autism Speaks puzzle piece pins and said that this was one of the things she was bringing to school. Frankly, I didn't know where she got the pin from, but it must have been so important to her that she knew where I kept it. I asked her why she wanted to include the pin. She replied that she “wanted to tell her class about autism and that this was the piece to the puzzle and that one day they are going to find all the pieces so there won't be any more autism.” I was so proud of her, yet my heart broke for her.
Charlotte told her class about autism, her brother and how she helps him, showing them the pin, I know there are many powerful advocates out there, but the impact that autism has on siblings is truly an untold story. As parents we feel our own personal pain, but the effect on siblings is very deep and real. These siblings are being recruited for something really big in their lifetime. Each child with autism is so special and their siblings, too, are blessed with many special gifts.
Charlotte is in Kindergarten and had a project this fall where she had to make a poster about herself and bring in three things that are important to her. She brought out her stuffed animal horse, pool toys, and then went into my bedroom for the last item. She came to me with one of my Autism Speaks puzzle piece pins and said that this was one of the things she was bringing to school. Frankly, I didn't know where she got the pin from, but it must have been so important to her that she knew where I kept it. I asked her why she wanted to include the pin. She replied that she “wanted to tell her class about autism and that this was the piece to the puzzle and that one day they are going to find all the pieces so there won't be any more autism.” I was so proud of her, yet my heart broke for her.
Charlotte told her class about autism, her brother and how she helps him, showing them the pin, I know there are many powerful advocates out there, but the impact that autism has on siblings is truly an untold story. As parents we feel our own personal pain, but the effect on siblings is very deep and real. These siblings are being recruited for something really big in their lifetime. Each child with autism is so special and their siblings, too, are blessed with many special gifts.
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