The Lonliness of Autism

Finger Tips and Noses

This is a cool song I discovered. I makes you realize there's more to this life, even for kids.

You can listen to this song, click: Play Song

Up in the hills somewhere in Kentucky In a little old school way back in the nothing Where special kids born with special needs Are sent to learn life's ABCs Their teacher, Mrs. Jones, tells them all about Jesus How in the twinkling of an eye He's coming back to get us About streets of gold and pearly gates How they want to go, they just can't wait And she can't keep them in their seats They're all at the windows straining to see

And it's
Fingertips and noses pressed to the windowpanes Longing eyes, expectant hearts for Him to come again All they know is that they love Him so And if He said He'd come, He's coming And they can't keep their windows clean For fingertips and noses

She tried to explain to the kids about His coming She tried to calm them down, but they just wouldn't listen They just giggled and they clapped their hands They're so excited that He's coming for them And the first thing you know they're out of their seats Back at the windows straining to see

Where will Jesus find us when He comes again? Will we be like little children waiting just for Him?

With our
Fingertips and noses pressed to the windowpanes Longing eyes, expectant hearts for Him to come again All we know is that we love Him so And if He said He'd come, He's coming And we can't keep our windows clean For our fingertips and noses

"Reflections of Myself"

 

 

 

What's Going On

Upcoming meeting on October 7th to go over Kyle's Individualized Education Plan...we're going to be writing some additional goals for the year. Hopefully, we'll get his education more focused on his learning style...

October 4th: Terra Blanca winery fundraiser for the Child Developmental Center. Food, music, and wine tasting. Should be fun...our whole family is going.

Kyle at School 8 of 8

Kyle is instructed to push his chair in, go get his pad of carpet, and sit for singing.

Kyle at School 7 of 8

The funnest video! Kyle using a walking rope to walk in line with his class to the playground. There, he slides away and takes turns, while waiting for other kids to get off the slide. He finishes up with a rope walk to the bathroom to wash his hands and a trip back to the classroom for a tasty treat...

Kyle at School 6 of 8

Kyle cleans up toys.

Kyle at School 5 of 8

In this one, Kyle is looking in a book, and instructed to identify colors. But, he was not actively participating.

Kyle at School 4 of 19

Here, Kyle matches objects, works a 'Minnie Mouse' puzzle, and is instructed to identify actions within the puzzle.

Kyle at School 3 of 8

In this video, Kyle identifies colors, is rewarded with toys, works on action verbs with object cards, and performs imitations such as "do this" while raising his arms.

Kyle at School 2 of 8

Not much success here, but: fine motor skills using building blocks, identifying colors of blocks

Kyle at School 1 of 8

This video is the first in a series of 8 videos of Kyle at School with his teacher Carol, who is assisting him this month. I will give a summary below each video so that if you don't want to watch all of them, you can find the ones that do look interesting to you.



In this video, Kyle identifies objects by name from pictures. He also discerns them by pointing them out. This method of learning is called Discreet Trial Training (DTT).

Letter

Some of you may not have known whyKyle was able to go to summer school this year. It was because of a grant we received......here's a thank you letter which explains more:

To Whom it May Concern,

My wife, Jana, and I would like to express our heartfelt gratitude and thankfulness for the gracious and unmerited gift of therapy provided to our autistic son Kyle during the summer of 2008, thanks to a grant provided to the Child Developmental Center by the Carson Kolzig Foundation. Without their support, Kyle would have gone without critically necessary intervention during the entire summer after the school bell rang on the last day of pre-kindergarten. But because of your generous support, Kyle was able to immediately transition into his stable and accomplished program with Christine Lindgren, whose oversight originally preceded early intervention by the school district.

It was through Christine's autism therapy sessions at the CDC that Kyle was able to develop from the age of two to three in the most professional, helpful, loving, and nurturing environment, outside of his home. The five months that Kyle spent away from Christine's classroom while in Richland School District were simply the changing of the tide for Kyle. Because of the foundations of trust and comfortable routines, Kyle was able to easily and willingly transition back into Christine's classroom. There, he regained his ability to perform neurotypical functions such as increased eye contact and other crucial cognitive abilities.

Honestly, we were surprised, but thankful, to learn that this grant was only available to one child, thus fatefully ours. As you know, in the state of Washington when children turn age three, they transition to the school district. But, when summer quickly arrives, as it did just five months after my son transitioned, the child is left to himself or herself and whatever means the parents or caregivers have. This is an unfortunate crack in the system of absolutely necessary full time early intervention of our young autistic children.

Therefore, as receivers of this wonderful gift that we could not imagine any autistic child without, we do testify of the accomplishment and value that it has contributed to this family. By any means necessary, I encourage the continuation of your philanthropic efforts to support the endeavor of helping and healing the most beautifully gifted children on God's Earth. If I may support your cause in any way, please feel free to contact me personally.


With my Deepest Regard and Thankfulness,



Nathan Long.
Richland

Boys at Bechtel Annual Picnic

These "Vimeo" videos are best viewed in high definition. In order to see them this way, hover your cursor over the video and click on "HD Off" and follow the link.

Check out the Baby Preacher!

Isaac's Upward Soccer Game

Montana Trip

Sunset

Jana got a good sunset shot right out our front door last night.

Kyle's Ready for School!

Kyle wanted to get ready for school a little bit early today. He was ready to go about 30 minutes early, but happy nonetheless.