From Play-Doh Comes Hope
By Francie Hogan
Editor's note: The opinions expressed herein are those of the author exclusively.
By Francie Hogan
Editor's note: The opinions expressed herein are those of the author exclusively.
Who knew hope could come from a container of Play-Doh? I've always had hope and faith that a treatment breakthrough will happen; that's why I volunteer my time with Autism Speaks. What I have is a different kind of hope, the kind that comes in knowing there is something your child can do to help him through life.
Every day I think about what Michael will do to make a living, contribute to society, and feel self worth. I think about the careers he could be trained in … the ones that would turn his challenges into assets. I think about how he will feel from now through adulthood.
Michael is seven years old, and was diagnosed with autism a few months before he turned three. His greatest difficulty is communication. As you can imagine, we focus heavily on him making requests, and using language.
Michael is seven years old, and was diagnosed with autism a few months before he turned three. His greatest difficulty is communication. As you can imagine, we focus heavily on him making requests, and using language.
For the past two years he has been obsessed with Play-Doh. Mainly he asks us, and those around him, to make his favorite TV characters, get him certain colors, etc. We encouraged his love of Play-Doh; it forces him to interact with us and his environment. We even began purchasing the very small containers, and only giving him a limited amount at one time. This increased his opportunities for interaction and requests. It helped with colors, counting, language, and numerous other skills.
I'm not ashamed to admit, after two years, the only one who still likes Play-Doh is Michael! A few weeks ago, I felt as if I made one more Sesame Street character, I would burst. I gave him the whole box - 50 containers, and I told him to go to town. The result was my newfound hope that he, quite possibly, could develop his artistic talent to the point of success. He sculpted figures that were nothing short of amazing!
Of course, I questioned myself, “I'm his Mom, everything he does is wonderful.” I photographed the figures, and e-mailed them to various people. Everyone‘s reaction was the same, amazement!
Finally, I saw something that could be a hobby, a career, and most of all, a connection to the complex world he lives in! I saw my kind of hope.
I'm not ashamed to admit, after two years, the only one who still likes Play-Doh is Michael! A few weeks ago, I felt as if I made one more Sesame Street character, I would burst. I gave him the whole box - 50 containers, and I told him to go to town. The result was my newfound hope that he, quite possibly, could develop his artistic talent to the point of success. He sculpted figures that were nothing short of amazing!
Of course, I questioned myself, “I'm his Mom, everything he does is wonderful.” I photographed the figures, and e-mailed them to various people. Everyone‘s reaction was the same, amazement!
Finally, I saw something that could be a hobby, a career, and most of all, a connection to the complex world he lives in! I saw my kind of hope.
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