A Visit from the Grandparents

My dad and his wife came to visit this last weekend. They have been trying to learn more about autism since SensiGirl was identified as having autism.  Dad has attended an autism seminar and plans to attend more as well as reading several books on the subject.  My step mom has been helpful and finding resources for them to educate themselves about autism. Dad is getting a different understanding of SensiGirl as well as me.

image from: http://okaylistenhere.blogspot.com/2011_09_01_archive.html

I am adopted, so as I was growing up, my family put most of my differences down to me just being me. My mom took me to the doctor for my rocking, and were asked if I spoke. I did, so they were told not to worry about me, I would grow out of it. There was only a glimmer of understanding in the 1970's of sensory processing disorder or even autism as applied to a child who can speak. In some ways the doctor was right and I did grow out of most of it.

image via: http://autism-center.ucsd.edu/what-causes-autism/Pages/brain-research.aspx

 There was no understanding of my experience like I have for my children. My parents didn't know how to be sensory detectives since they had no reference for understanding it. They just thought I was misbehaving, being picky or whiny and that was the end of it. Now that I am a parent and have children of my own I am able to articulate what it is like for my children to move through the world, as well as how it was for myself all those years ago.
What was nice about their visit, besides having a chance to catch up is that since my dad and his wife are infrequent visitors they can see changes more readily.  They can hear how Random Guy has clear speech and there is no need for a speech specialist in school. They also are aware of how Random Guy has been bullied and they try to look out for him in their own way.
It was so nice to hear that they saw marked progress in SensiGirl's abilities to visit with them, pay attention to the conversations we where having, make eye contact and to regulate herself in a new environment. They know that some of this progress is due to the extra therapies and special education placement that SensiGirl has. This all is hard work, and they help me when I ask or however they know how. Thanks Mr. Grandpa Poppop and Grandma B.

image from: http://www.zazzle.com/work_in_progress_tshirt-235147889092870220

resources: bibliography of Dr. A Jean Ayers
http://cdn.calisphere.org/data/13030/kt/kt687021kt/files/kt687021kt.pdf