Frustrated with school

Today didn't start off too well.  N drove JJ to school because it was pouring rain.  He walks into the school and the vice principle asks him where his glasses were.  JJ replied that he had forgotten them at home, to which the vice principle told him to go home and get them to save "Nannie a trip bringing them to school for you".


So off he goes drudging back home rings the door bell, waking me up since it was one of my "can't sleep nights".  When I open the door, there he is dripping wet.  Coat was soaked through, feet were squishing wet as well.  I was so pissed!!  What is the sense of giving him a drive to keep him dry to have the VP send him home?!  Maybe he was trying to get him to be more responsible to remember his glasses, or his book bag, or like last week his bike helmet. But this is a child who has a memory like a sieve when it comes to things like this.  Its part of his disability, if it was a fact about the world wars, or something else that has meaning to him..then he would remember. But Aspie kids are famous for not giving a rats behind about little things like glasses or book bags.  Now some of you would say "why didn't he have on a rain coat and rubber boots". Well for those of you who don't know, Aspie kids have texture issues with clothing.  JJ doesn't like the feel of the rubber rain coats and hates rubber boots with a passion..I have tried to get him to wear them, but they just get passed along to his younger brothers. Life with an Aspie is not that simple, its very complex.


Personally I think that the VP just doesn't get it.  I think it has gotten to the point now that he is just picking on JJ and I am really frustrated.  I got him to change his t-shirt, put another coat and sneakers on and I drove him back to school with a note to hand to the VP telling him NOT to send JJ home again in the pouring rain again if he forgets something because it doesn't "save me a trip".


I wish that all teachers, principles, VP included need to take a course on ASD kids,, it wouldn't take more than one day to run through some of the most common things that these kids have in common and how to handle the quirks they have. A couple of parents could put together some material for them to read, but you know what.. the majority of teachers hate parents telling them how to handle their child. I have run across this time and time again.  There just is not enough people caring about these kids and its frustrating the shit out of me lately!


So go the battle... two more months of school...

Please vote for JJ's bottle picture!

This is my 10 yr old gr.son Jacob. He has Aspergers Syndrome. There isn't a lot that will bring a smile to his face and he hates having his pic taken. So I was really shocked when he came out to the living room and asked me to take his pic with the bottle of Jones Soda and the green apple. He loves your soda pop and asks for me to buy some every grocery day. Of course I do..lol He has had a really rough year at school because of bullies and this would make him so happy to be on a label.

Please vote if you haven't already, competition is stiff. There is nothing to sign up for, you don't even need to give your email and you can only vote ONE time. PLEASE help my gr.son WIN and vote for JJ's picture! Click this link, click on the "rate this photo" section pick "10..wow" and then click "vote" underneath. It will just take a minute of your time and will make him a very happy boy. Lets make him a winner by getting on the pop label !!!!!!! TY

Just click this link  *  Jones Gallery: Submit your photo to Jones Soda | Jones Soda Co.   *

What makes him happy, makes me happy

I remember JJ's teacher making the comment, "he never seems happy".  I told her that was common for a child with ASD. After all I explained, they are restricted in their emotions to angry or sad and because their interests are also markedly restricted if they aren't doing something they love, you won't see them happy.

For people who aren't around children with ASD, they won't pick up the subtle changes in their reactions to different things. Like going grocery shopping is a horrible task to JJ, he will drag his feet all through the store and  thinks its a waste of time, although he knows we need to buy the food if we are going to eat in the coming week. lol  But if you tell him he has two hours on the computer he will race into his room and turn on the laptop before I can blink an eye.  That is JJ happy.  He loves his laptop, in fact the only time I have seen him happy enough to cry was the day we gave it to him. I will try to put the video on cause it really is touching.  His desktop computer had died the week before, and he was using my laptop in the video. He asked if he could save something, and I had said "no", he then says "how come" and I replied "because you will be able to save it on your own" and his Papa brings out the laptop from behind his back.  That was one happy child,  just for a few minutes..but it did my heart good to see that happiness flow down his cheeks.

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When you deal with a child with ASD you need to take those moments and treasure them.  The only other time I get to see him smile and look happy is when we go to an indoor amusement center a couple hours away from our home town.  We have taken him every year for the past 4 years and he spends the day ridding the roller coaster and bumper cars. N and I sit on the bench and watch as he runs to get the back seat on the roller coaster before someone else does.  He loves going, and I am hoping next year we can take him to 6 flags in Montreal and let him see what a big amusement park is like.  I know it will blow his mind.

Take the small moments where you can find them, they are so few and far between, but worth it!