Spectrum Educational Services

Micah Sudom, my son and former ASDreams member, composed Give it Time.  His band, Mostly Micah, played it during high school graduation. Micah is the one on piano. Mostly Micah also provided the dinner music for the school district's teacher retirement party. Micah's first educational assistant and his kindergarten teacher both retired this year. The PUF administrator who got me started in the school support system was one of the two honoured educators at the event. The title Give it Time wasn't chosen for a graduation theme or a teacher retirement gig, however I can't imagine a more fitting title. Early educators who gave of their time not knowing how their involvement would shape the lives of their students. Junior high boys who spent six years eating their lunches together in the band room, learning new instruments and jamming together. A mom who invested 18 years into countless appointments with Family Supports for Children with Disabilities, service provide...

My article "Living with Autism Spectrum Disorder" appears in the summer edition of  Bridge magazine . Scroll to page 13 to find a readable version of the thumbnails below. Save Save

Recently I have been going through old photographs. I love looking at the ones where my children are wearing matching outfits that I constructed for them. I created them with intention. When they were finished I didn't say, "Oh look! Sewn fabric. I wonder what it is for?" I wanted two dresses and a vest and so I sewed.  Purpose proceeded design. God planned me. He had a purpose in mind for me before there was a me. I received my design. After all, I didn't make myself. I have the option to be thankful for how He made me. Thankful? What does God think of His handiwork? He thinks I'm wonderful. His thoughts about me are precious. He is thinking about me all the time. He loves me to my innermost being. That most certainly warrants my thanks. When I renew my mind to this truth, being Autistic no longer gets in the way of me being me. The difficult parts of living with a social communication disorder are difficult. However, they are not wasted. God wove me to...

Yes, the title is spelled correctly. I joined a team called "Brave Girls" to challenge myself to take 10,000 steps per day for the month of September. My biggest insight so far is I lead a very sedentary life. The first two days of September I added a walk to my day and barely reached the 5000 mark. I planned a long walk with a friend for later in the week and discovered it was still under 10000 steps. Fortunately other exercise can be converted into steps. A bike ride with my daughter nearly make me reach my target on the weekend. I'm realizing simply adding a pedometer doesn't change my activity level. I need to be intentional in adding exercise to my schedule. One of my technically savvy children suggested I shake the pedometer to reach my goal. It was a family lesson on integrity as I shared I would rather provide the true number than boost my stats artificially. I'm thankful for my team as we encourage each other both for days where we achieved our goal a...

Time to register for fall activities. My son is taking the fall season off as he adjusts to grade nine. His idea. As a Mom it is great to know he understands his needs and chooses to create time and space for self regulating. Knowing how much he loves soccer, it is hard to see him give up a preferred activity to make it through the demands of school. It is not about the academics as he is a 90% and above student in most subjects. It is about managing the transitions of a new school year. It is not a new school and he knows most of the other students. Yet his anxiety remains and interferes with other aspects of life. He will likely be ready to play soccer in January. My heart is grieving for lost opportunities and thankful that we aren’t starting the school year already maxed out.

     As a parent with children on the Autism spectrum, I've been both commended and scolded for how my children behave at restaurants.  I'm so thankful my identity is not tied to the varying and variable opinions of others.  Impatience by a waiter over a child who (again) needs more time to decide. Strange looks for allowing an older child to sit under the booth to escape the noise. Compassion for a child who believes is independent enough to find the washroom, but needs and receives redirection away from the doors to the kitchen. Congratulations from a table nearby for the excellent manners of my son who adds "thank you" to almost every verbal exchange with strangers.     Eating out as a family is an adventure with a highly variable cost/benefit  analysis.

Spring arrived and the ASDreamers headed outside. After three types of soccer relays the Dreamers chose to either play soccer or enjoy the playground. The outdoor area provided enough space to burn off some pent up winter energy. Two Dreamers are preparing our outdoor activity for next week. We agreed to bring water bottles and one staff has hinted at bringing some home baked treats for a picnic in the park. That's the stuff dreams are made of.

In the New York Times an article entitled, " I had Asperger Syndrome. Briefly. " asserts that the definition of Autism Spectrum Disorder should be narrowed. I agree. The proposed change to the DSM V diagnostic criteria for Autism Spectrum Disorder includes, "Symptoms together limit and impair everyday functioning." I hope this clause will separate out from the rest of those with ASD the group of people currently diagnosed who assert that the only thing wrong with  having ASD is how other people treat them. If a person is fine with the way life is working, then why seek a diagnosis? Or try and keep the label while at the same time advocating that supports are not needed, just understanding? Requiring support is part of the new criteria. Autism is a diagnosis, not an identity. Good for the author for moving on to explore his potential.

I don't have a special interest. I get a tad disappointed when people learn I have Autism Spectrum Disorder because the follow up response is often, "Do you have a special talent or interest?" I reply with no. While my IQ is at or above the 99th percentile, I don't have savant skills. Brilliant, but not necessarily genius. With so many interests, none get elevated to the level of positive obsession. While sharing this frustration with my psychiatrist this week, she used the phrase " globally gifted " to describe me. I quipped, "No wonder I've been lacking career direction." I didn't know how to pick what I was good at. After high school I enrolled as an Arts major with Calculus as my option - I knew it would be an easy A. Not the usual academic combination. However, because of my global giftedness/Autism combination, I ask questions some perceive as out of context. Cutting edge leaders and policy makers value innovation, creativity and ...

Twelve years ago today I heard the most amazing sound - my son's cry. After waiting longer than I can hold my breath, he took his first one. And let out a scream that lasted most of his first year and much of his second, third and fourth year. He punctuated the next few years with bursts of screaming, but his language abilities have held him up under all but the most trying times. Now he will scribble a scream, or write very large.  For which my ears are thankful. But his first scream? That was beautiful.