Why Celebrate a Life Long Disability?

Welcome to Ausumness.

We're in the middle of laying out our current situation with our youngest and considering the future problems of Autism. It's Autism whatever month. I don't know about you, but I certainly do not accept Autism and I most certainly do not celebrate it. You are more than obviously aware of Autism as is most of the western world. So there is no need for more awareness.

I do not relish in the fact that my kids may not ever hold a job. I don't embrace the thoughts of my child never riding a bike or maybe never going on a date. In fact, perhaps like you, I'm scared to death of my son's future. What if something happens to me or his dad?! Who will take care of him? Will we be able to provide for him for his entire life? Why would I celebrate or accept this?

Unless we spend our days with our heads buried in the sand, we know exactly where most Autism comes from. As Jr. says, "We live in a toxic soup". It is that easy, my friends. We cannot expect to be healthy if we pump our bodies full of toxins. If we eat food full of non biological products. Drink contaminated water, breathe polluted air or continuously expose ourselves to EMF.

In fact, the whole reason I started this blog was because of the Autism black out I encountered when I tried investigating just what Autism was and possibly how my kids ... acquired it and I wanted to see if there was anything I could do to make life for me and the boys more tolerable. All I could find was donate, donate and that it is probably genetic. I learned nothing helpful.

It became clear to me and it is getting more and more clear that Autism is only becoming more prevalent. Hardly any sources talk about the true reasons why most people have Autism and no "popular" or lame stream sources discuss  real solutions and there are so many as I've found through my own experience.

Find designs with Autism in mind at Designs Bundles from myself and other designers.

It is highly possible that this blog is less popular than it could be because of a few key word mentions that are immediately censored. Despite all of the truth and proof. Despite that many of the suggestions totally worked for us and will probably help a lot of people.

Our current problem is the job situation. The Autism school that JJ goes to had a few choices of career for him to follow. There was hardly any academic courses at all. No Dutch. No math. No French ... and JJ is a great student. He loves to learn. He can even read and write for goodness sake! I'm obviously disgusted that academics play such a small part in his school.

With a grudge he decide on studying wood shop and he did like it in the beginning. For several years now, starting at age 15, JJ had to do an internship in a place where ya work with wood. I'm sure JJ's not alone in this matter. He's 17, but mentally much younger. Especially, socially. This is something that a school specializing in Autism should know! The government running these schools should know this.

I did some investigating to see what Autism schools are offering as career choices and the choices are those offered in special schools for slow children. So many people with Autism are not slow. It's  insulting. There is nothing with computers or the Arts. Hello?! Do these organizations not know the first thing about Autism?

So, JJ's worked at several different local businesses (Which we have to drive and pick him up from, every day for weeks at a time. Thank goodness, I stay home. Another genius idea from the school.) The end result after three times trying and three years is that he's not ready for work. DUH! Not to discount the idea of someone with this level of mentality working with adults for 8 hours a day, 5 times a week.

Many people with Autism would be able to work if they were properly prepared and got just the right job that fits their needs and specialties because a lot of people with Autism are super special in a lot of different intellectual capacities and even more important many people with Autism like doing things and are great at doing things that people without Autism do not like. It's win win!

I do not celebrate Autism and I am more than aware of the limitations and tough days ahead in regards to Autism.

So, the next few entries we will dive into possible careers for people with Autism and what schools could and should be doing to help prepare students with Autism for a future outside of their own homes and institutions. I'd be more than happy to help schools and institutions or even start a school that focuses on helping people with Autism and finding them careers in their community.

Here are a few videos that you may want to check out. They also give some advice that you might want to try and see if it helps not only minimize Autism symptoms, but perhaps prevent Autism all together.

The Battle for the Truth

Do These Make Us Healthier

https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(97)11096-0/fulltext

Feel free to scroll back and see what other sage advice I offer. I really like the edition about pets. So many people were asking me for advice. This entry is perhaps the most useful. Especially for teachers. Wink Wink

Best of luck with your children, family, students... with Autism. Feel free to link us up with any useful sites you come across that have helped you with your battle with Autism.

The Future of Autism Are You Prepared

Welcome to Ausumness.

It's been far too long since I've made an entry. It's April and that's Autism month. Grrrr...More on my thoughts about that, later.

My lack of presence has nothing to do with a diminishing passion of advocating for people with Autism. I've actually found myself in a really difficult situation, recently. Bare with me through this explanation of where we are coming from and where we are now.

Now that my children are older, it's become very clear just how uncertain their future is as an adult with Autism and that is what I'd like to focus on for the next few entries. What can we do to help our children, as adults to live successfully in our world with Autism?

When we received confirmation that our children had Autism, I immediately wanted to home school them. (Forgive me, if you've read this in a previous blog.) I have a Bachelor Degree in Social Sciences, Secondary Education along with many years of teaching experience. So, I thought I'd be a decent candidate as a homeschool instructor.

My husband did not agree. He insisted the kids go to public school. Our oldest son is high performing and did fairly well in school. Half of the teachers had nothing but glowing reports and the other half had no idea what to do with him. Go figure! He never struggled intellectually or academically. Socially, it wasn't always a smooth ride. 

In Belgium (where we live), teachers are not required to retain a Bachelor Degree. That might be part of the problem. I have no idea how much training they get for teaching students who learn differently. Observing the curriculum through my children has been absolutely heart breaking and to make matters worse, they are even considering State Testing. UGH! (I digress.)

My oldest son's ticks were just insane. So much so, a guidance counselor from the city proposed he go to a different school. The same school my youngest was attending. My youngest was nonverbal and placed way down the Autism Scale. My husband, as you might imagine, was furious. I too, was very disappointed at this suggestion, but also concerned of the psychological well being of my son.

He was moved to that school where he fell way behind in the basic subjects because this school was "new" to teaching kids on the spectrum. They taught slow kids. They taught the kids that other schools didn't want. They taught kids that more than likely, were there because they didn't speak Dutch. (That might sting a little, but I observed that.) They taught mildly retarded children. They were not used to teaching ... academically efficient children or dare I say, had no idea how to.

It was more than clear to me that they were clueless when it came to Autism. I had to explain the most simple, no brainer, characteristics of typical Autistic children! It was so disheartening as an educator and mom of Autistic children. They were grateful for my tips and advice, at least and I worried myself sick (literally) leaving my kids in this institution.

This says mounds about the education system in Belgium, no?

After finishing primary school/lagereschool/12 years old, my oldest went to "one of the best schools for Autism in East Flanders". (Coughs) He and his brother were bussed well over an hour to this school where they certainly were challenged academically. Thank goodness! Their knowledge or expertise with Autism wasn't even minimal, in my opinion.

My youngest son was very pleased at this school and it showed through his amazing progress. He attended the lagereschool whilst my oldest attended secundair onderwijs or high school. The teachers were amazed at JJ's (youngest) performance and his ability to keep up with the different classes and he was thrilled to finally be challenged because despite a low IQ, the kid's really smart and he's got awesome memory. (I did mention that JJ was nonverbal. Click here for ideas that might help your children, students or family. The tips turned our world around in a great direction.)

My oldest was keeping his head above the water. He studied in the most difficult, "A Stroom". When Covid hit, school was closed and all went down the shitter from there. Perhaps the same with your children and students? Online learning was not working at all and his grades suffered terribly. He either had to repeat the year or drop out and go to another, traditional school which he did and graduated with success.

He's now attending university for Gaming Development! So don't give up on your kids!

My youngest is in one hell of a predicament and he's the reason why I'm here, today. (Sorry it took so long to get here. I felt you needed some background.)

I'll come back with more of the situation. You might be dealing with the same or similar issue and it is paramount that we find solutions. Solutions for our children. Solutions for the future!