Death

Patrick has been telling me that he doesn't want to die. He's been asking if he is going to die. Added on top of this a child in his class just lost her mother to cancer.

So, how do you talk to an autistic child about death? I'm afraid if I tell him that he will die someday that he'll be anxious about it. I don't think he can understand the concept of 'when you're very old'. Obviously I can't tell him he won't ever die.

He's done extremely well with the death of his friend's mother. He understands that it's really sad and he's trying to be really kind to the little girl. He understands that she was really sick for a long time and that the doctors tried really hard with strong medicines to help her but she was just too sick.

Someone suggesting talking to him about death in context with animal and plant life cycles. That sounded like a good idea.

I'm off to read some books and ask some questions. Anyone have any specific suggestions or book suggestions?

What a happy New Year.

"Mom, can I have some pop? Mom, can I have some pop? Mom, can I have some pop?"

The most irritating and yet still beloved sound in the world. My little fellow requesting something in a full sentence.

I still remember the days. Make-it-up-as-you-go-along-therpy in the kitchen.

Repeat after me.

"Can" "Can"

"Can I" "Can I"

"Can I have" "Can I have"

"Can I have a" "Can I have a"

"Can I have a drink?" "Can I have a drink?"

"Yes, of course you can Patrick."

Isn't it nice now to have the option to say no? I can't remember how many times we had exchanges just like the one I wrote out. And of course, at the end, I always gave him what he wanted just because of the sheer effort it took to get those words to go together.

I didn't find out until years later about scripting, scaffolding, or any of those other fancy words to describe teaching our children to speak.