Bright Beacon Blogs

At 2 years old. A few weeks after the 2 year shots.  Ryan started taking steps backwards in communication and development.  I took him to the Doctor because I knew something wasn’t right. They discounted my concerns by saying “all children develop differently, give him time”…  My husband was in complete denial. that our boy could possibly be handicapped.

I could stand behind Ryan and call his name(even loudly), without any response, at all.  For a while we all thought it could be a hearing problem, but many tests ruled that out. Then I started observing him, going into his own world and entertaining himself.  Completely tuning out the rest of us.  I even use to joke that he was talking to angels sometimes because he pretended to talk to people (we couldn’t see) and laugh.

There were also certain sounds Ryan would make.  Especially when he was excited (kind of like a shriek). The few words he did say, before age 2 had completely gone and he was using inflection but no formed words. Sometimes when I talked. He would want to touch my throat to feel the vibrations. It seemed to really soothe him.  I had a hard time keeping clothes on him as well, because waist bands and tags drove him nuts!  He also started eating sand and dirt at the playground and the beaches. too…

On Halloween. Just before Ryan’s 3rd birthday.  I was on the porch, when a boy came and sat on my lap and wanted to help me give candy away.  I could tell he was a special child, but to my surprise,  he made noises just like Ryan. This was kind of a shock to me! (I never heard any other child act or sound like him before!)  soon I saw A man approaching me.  He  looked very concerned but happy.  He said his son never interacted with people like this before and that he was Autistic!  That was the day I knew, for sure, my son had Autism.  I was happy I could finally put a name to this, but a bit sad knowing Ryan’s road in life, would not be an easy one.

That next week I took him to the Doctor and demanded that tests be run. I finally got through to his pediatrician, that his development was still, not right.  Then I also mentioned that I had met a child who appeared to be, just like my Ryan and he had Autism!  Referrals started flying to have him completely tested! His first diagnosis was PDD  (pervasive developmental disorder). It wasn’t till the first school meeting that the word “Autism” was used!  I walked out of the meeting.  broke down and just cried.  I had known all this time, but hearing others say it. Finally Made it real!

That My Son would never have a “Normal Life”, like everyone else...

Looking back now! (which has been 15 years)  I can tell you that I think “Normal” is way overrated!  Ryan has such an amazing heart and personality!  He touches so many lives, on a daily basis!  We have even started calling him the family barometer, because He feels everyone’s emotions around him. This young man is gifted, in so many ways, We have yet to learn!

Forget about Normal!…..I am very proud to say, that Ryan, is a priceless Original!!!.....

My son Ryan has had many communication difficulties in the past.  I have learned he can react quicker and with clearer thought, to "Yes or No" questions. Really,better than any other forms of questions.  I know some kids may not be at this level,  but I often see my son struggle with expressing himself.  I have tried many forms of communication and this was the quickest, to make him talk.  He is more advanced now, but during the times when he has been very ill or agitated.  It seemed a lot harder for him, to express many words.  I had to make it simpler.

We were all taught.  In the early stages of communication, to have them use "I want..." ,to express their needs. I  just needed quicker responses for illness questions.  Ones docs could pic up on, to hear for themselves, how Ryan was feeling. This is not an answer!  Just a stepping stone that has helped me to communicate better with my son. He is far more advanced in speech, now. Yet in extreme pain and agitation.  "Yes or No" has been a very helpful tool.  Even Now!

I jotted down some short steps that helped me to build on Ryan's speech and communication:

1.  Starting them to understand Yes or No...Example:  Are you hungry?  Do you like ice cream?  going to the museum? Things you know they love, that are easy answers.  (Yes or No?)  Teaching them the concept.

2. Simple reinforcement! Ask Yes or No's, with any task...The more you use. The better!  Example:  You really like Ice cream! Right?  Going to the Zoo? ("Yes or no?")  If they don't respond.  Prompt them to repeat the correct answer. "yes or No?".  Give notice that you are proud that they responded with Positive reinforcement!

3. If  they don't feel well...  Tell them to point to, where it hurts! When they point, give it a name! ie, head.  Then ask does it hurt?  ("Yes or no?")... To pinpoint pain or sickness. You may have to rule out many things before getting to an answer. Once they begin to catch on, to these questions.  Hopefully,  you will get quicker responses.

4. When they answer Yes or No's, consistently.  Add more expressive speech...  Example: Are you hungry?  "Yes"" I am Hungry! ".  Ryan now says this without prompting, to let me know how he feels!  he also expresses things that hurt him.  ( His TT!  i use this term with ry because in public it wouldn't sound proper for him to be telling me, his penis hurts.)  ((Please if anyone has a better answer than TT.  Please share your knowledge!))

Again this was only a tool I used.  As a mom.  To assist my son, in communicating and expressing his wants, needs and feelings.  To help him to find more words . In his own mind. For more spontaneous language.

I would truly appreciate any feedback and If anyone has other helpful, tools to share.  God Bless you all!   ,Laura Lange

HI EVERYONE,   MY SON RYAN IS 18. HE AS AUTISM WITH SLIGHT MR.   LAST YEAR I WAS DIVORCED AND NOW WE ARE ON OUR OWN.  YEARS BEFORE WE TALKED ABOUT, MY DREAM, TO START A RANCH/ HOME/LIFE SKILLS/ WORKPLACE (PECAN GROVE) FOR ADULT HANDICAPPED CHILDREN.  ONE WHERE RYAN COULD LIVE OUT HIS DAYS, DOING THE THINGS HE LOVES, EVEN WHEN I AM GONE.   A PECAN GROVE SEEMED THE BEST.  CHILDREN COULD COME, WITH ASSISTANCE, TO  PICK / CLEAN / AND PACKAGE PECANS(EASY LEARNING TASKS) AND SELL TO MAKE THE RANCH PROFITABLE.  I WANT A LIVING GARDEN WITH WEB CAMS SO THAT SCHOOLS COULD HAVE FIELD TRIPS AND PLANT SMALL SECTIONS. THEN GO BACK TO SCHOOL AND WATCH THE PROGRESS OF THE GARDEN AT ANYTIME.  TEACHING THEM VEGGIES DON'T JUST COME FROM H.E.B.  AND POSSIBLY GET THEM TO EAT MORE OF THEM!  DR BLANKSON EVEN SUGGESTED  ALSO A PETTING AREA FOR  ANIMALS. WE COULD ALSO EVENTUALLY,  HAVE SMALL COTTAGES.  FOR FAMILIES TO HAVE GET-AWAYS.  SOMEONE TOLD ME IN THE CITY WE ARE LIMITED,  BUT IN THE COUNTRY, THE SKY IS THE LIMIT! I KNOW THIS IS A BIG DREAM BUT IT IS DOABLE.

I WANT TO TEACH MY SON SOMETHING HE LOVES. PLUS THE  LIFE SKILLS(DAILY LIVING) I KNOW HE NEEDS AND PROVIDE A PLACE FOR MANY OTHERS, TO THRIVE AND FLOURISH.      WHEN TALKING TO DR BLANKSON HE ENCOURAGED ME TO PUT THIS OUT HERE!  I HAVE DEDICATED  MY LIFE FOR MY SON AND HOPEFULLY THIS CAN HELP MANY OTHERS!    I JUST REALLY DON'T KNOW WHERE TO START OR WHO TO TALK TO!   ANY IDEAS OR HELP WOULD BE ANSWERED PRAYERS.   THANKS!  ps I NEVER BLOGGED BEFORE SO PLEASE BARE WITH ME!