Jems James 

Fuss Free Holidays

We went on a holiday during the school holidays. Lotsa preparation for BJ to be able to accept changes and new environment. It went well....until:
He asked us to go home on the way to the airport.
He asked us every now and then where we are going.
He asked for kakak.
I forgot to bring his visual scheduler to make him understand what we are going to do everyday.
Well, all these we have overcometh.....

The last two days were the most difficult of all. He started refusing to say "hi" to people. He shut his eyes and ears to external stimuli. (unfamiliar people, unfamiliar language, noise level). Hey, don't we do that at times? I know I do.... I could be pretty shut-in if the external environment is too overwhelming for me.....

He started verbalizing (to his limitedness, of course) that while he was bathing, he got angry, and hit his father (poor Allen), dried himself, and changed. While his anger is short and impulsive, and will apologize almost immediately, I just still do not understand how his mind works -- whether he understands when his hand goes out to box someone.

I would say that my family members are very supportive. They commented that BJ has improved tremendously!! In-laws are not that encouraging yet. We broke the news about autism to them, and yet some of them understood. Some don't. That's life....

Well, overall, the week was a memorable one. It was accident free.

assisted tech for BJ

Grrrr......

This is my 3rd time writing this blog. I need assisted tech for successful blogging.

To make things simple, I would like to create (if possible) some assisted tech for BJ. The softwares out there are too ex. And, not singaporized. Just log on to www.usevisualstrategies.com/products.html to see for yourself.....

I would like words to be converted to pics, and vice-versa. I would like to strings words or pics together to form sentences which he can express, and/or which I can teach. I would like to compose a story using words and pics. People with autism think in pictures, you know. And words are merely another symbols they can use....

Maybe i should actively consult you guys.... Snooze, Yveon, Shutterbug, Invisible, and Penguin for ideas. Maybe I should write to NCSS to get some funding so that my dream may come true.

Wish me luck.

"I am SAM"

Watched "I am Sam" just yesterday. Very touched. Haven't watch many good movies for ages.

Sam (Adult with ID and austistic attributes), of mental age of 7, managed to fight his way through with the State, and gained custody of his 7 year old.

What he said to his lawyer is that he felt "normal" people did not have problems like his. Sure. But "normal" people have more problems, I feel. Sometimes blessed are those who are of simple mind and heart. Blessed are those who do not worry because they do not have to. Blessed are those who live happily and do not feel that they need to compare..... Blessed are those who knows God will take care of all their needs.

Sometimes it really amazes me to see BJ in all his innocence and purity in requesting for grace before meal. He is being routine. But I think sometimes I have too many choices that I put aside my routine to talk to God.

These are special lessons we learn in life. Through people whom society labels as special needs.


This brings tears in my eyes.