Saturday, December 31, 2005

'She Only Knew How to Love'

As I watched my autistic daughter go out onto a baseball field, spinning and
laughing, I relished the beauty of the moment.

By Sherry Wright

I have been blessed with four children-one of them severely handicapped. Her name was Tiffany, and she was severely autistic. Although she couldn't speak, Tiffany only knew how to love people.

Every day my father would come over just to take her for a walk by the creek. She loved to throw rocks into it and watch the ripples. She would giggle so hard--it was almost like she had her own connection to God.

One weekend when Tiffany was 12 years old, we went to watch my oldest daughter Becky's baseball tournament. That was the most beautiful time we ever had with Tiffany. She never once hit herself--an upsetting symptom of her form of autism--and she just showered love on each and every one of us.

At the end of the tournament, the officials handed out awards on the field. Becky won the MVP trophy. Suddenly Tiffany walked out to the pitcher's mound.

Everyone watched because this was very out of character for her. She lifted her hands above her head and started twirling around in circles, laughing so hard that it became contagious. We were all full of joy.

The really strange part was that tears were rolling down her face. It was such a beautiful moment, and it touched so many people. It was the first time that we had ever seen her shed a tear out of joy and not out of hurting herself.

I had no idea what was to come...

After we all came home and I had put the kids to bed, I thanked God for giving me such a beautiful time with her and the other children. Then I fell asleep. I actually slept the whole night for one of the first times in the 12 years of Tiffany's life.

I had no idea what was to come.

The next morning I went into Tiffany's bedroom to get her ready for school. I found she had died in her sleep. I was devastated and didn't understand why God would allow this to happen to me again (I also lost a son in a drowning accident a few years before).

All of a sudden I was struck with a revelation. When Tiffany went to that baseball field and put her hands to the sky and spun around laughing, she was telling God that she was ready to come home. He allowed me to have that last, most beautiful memory of her, filled with love and joy, where she was not suffering and hitting herself.

Tears streamed down my face as I reflected on my last day with her. I thank God every day that he allowed me those memories. I know in my heart that her death was only the beginning of her life. She was so beautiful at her funeral. I know that God was letting me see that she was whole now. All the pain and suffering had left her face.

I felt so much peace because God gave me that gift of witnessing my little girl say goodbye the night before.

So please cherish your children always, because no one is promised tomorrow. Make every day count, and hold on to those precious moments. Not one day goes by that I don't miss and think of Tiffany, but I thank God for her life.

Thursday, December 29, 2005

Tips on Travelling

I got this from an eGroup that I am a member of... Nice and helpful tips when you're travelling with a special child...

~*~

Tip No. 1 - Choose a good airline. My kids are never happy with PAL. Can't understand either. With SIA, they're ok. With PAL, they're incredibly tense. They keep munching and they keep
vomiting. Of course, you don't have to buy this tip.

Tip No. 2 - If it's a long flight, sedate only when you need to. Cough syrup of course....There will be times that you'd wish he was awake and could walk.

Tip No. 3 - Beware of sugar.

Tip No. 4 - Stay cool. No matter how you want them behave they won't. They can feel your tension. Forget the other people but do your best in keeping him together without losing your cool.

Tip No. 5 - Long flight? Bring somebody with you and take turns. Don't depend on the other person entirely. Work out a system so both of you don't lose it. That's what I don't miss about being abroad. Not having a driver and a yaya....No joke.

Tip No. 6 - Educate your son about airplanes and airports. Keep talking to him about the whole process of checking in, boarding, seatbelts, etc. Use books or what have you. Talk to him as
you are actually going through it at the airport and the airplane.

Tip No. 7 - Don't travel during peak season. Less people, the better.

Tip No. 8 - Ask for a special menu if he's on a special diet. Ask the airline if they have this. PAL, SIA and Northwest has this. Most kiddie meals are laden with sugar and preservatives.

Tip No. 9 - Reduce the handcarry.

Tip No. 10 - Ask your OT for exercises he can do on the plane.

Tip No. 11 - What am I talking about? Within the country lang naman eh. That should take 45 mins or so. Then choose an airline with a short check-in like AirPhil. The seats are wider, check in is faster and its almost the same price anyway.

Tip No. 12 - Trust the maternal instinct.

Cris

===========

~DAILY DOSE OF PRAYER~

And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins. (Mark 11:25, NIV)

PARENT’S PRAYER:

Dear Father, How we thank you that you are a God of forgiveness, and that as we are faithful to confess our sins to you in Jesus’ name, you cast them as far away from us as the east is from the west (Psalm 103:12). Father, we long for our prayers to be as fruitful as possible. Therefore, as the Bible instructs us, we choose to forgive those who have sinned against us. Father, there are times when it is very difficult to forgive those who have wronged us or our children, and it can be a real struggle.

In situations like that, Lord, we pray that you would infuse us with the strength and grace we need, and that you would minister to the deep wounds and anger these situations have caused. Father, we thank you for your power to overcome and restore our lives, and we thank you that you help us wield one of the most powerful of your weapons, which is forgiveness. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

FAMILY/FRIEND’S PRAYER:

Dear Father,How I thank you that you are a God of forgiveness, and that as we are faithful to confess our sins to you in Jesus’ name, you cast them as far away from us as the east is from the west (Psalm 103:12). Father, I know the Santos family longs for their prayers to be as fruitful as possible. Therefore, as the Bible instructs, I ask that you would help them to forgive those who have sinned against them.

Father, there are times when it is very difficult to forgive those who have wronged us or our children, and it can be a real struggle. In situations like that, Lord, I pray that you would infuse the Santos family with the strength and grace they need, and that you would minister to the deep wounds and anger these situations have caused. Father, I thank you for your power to overcome and restore their lives, and I thank you that you help them wield one of the most powerful of your weapons, which is forgiveness. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Wednesday, December 28, 2005

daily prayer

(Jesus speaking…) My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. (John 10:27, NIV)

PARENT'S PRAYER:

Dear Lord,

We thank you that you are a God who not only listens to our prayers, but you speak to us as well. We thank you for your promise that as your sheep, we are able to hear your voice. We come before you today to ask that you would sharpen our ears to hear and recognize your voice. In the midst of all of our busyness, we ask that you would quicken us to follow the direction of your voice. We also thank you that DALE is one of your sheep. We thank you for the promise that he can also listen to your voice. We praise you that you are the God of all power, and that a disability does not prevent a person from hearing your voice. We ask Lord that you would visit DALE often, and reveal yourself to him. We are so grateful for all the promises that you have for us!

In Jesus' Name,
Amen


FAMILY/FRIEND'S PRAYER:

Dear Lord,

I thank you that you are a God who not only listens to our prayers, but you speak to us as well. I thank you for your promise that as your sheep, we are able to hear your voice. I come before you today to ask that you would sharpen the SANTOS family’s ears to hear and recognize your voice. In the midst of all of their busyness, I ask that you would quicken them to follow the direction of your voice. I also thank you that DALE is one of your sheep. I thank you for the promise that he can also listen to your voice. I praise you that you are the God of all power, and that a disability does not prevent a person from hearing your voice. I ask Lord that you would visit DALE often, and reveal yourself to him. Thank you for all the promises that you have for this family!

In Jesus' Name,
Amen


All content © 2005, Children of Destiny

Monday, December 26, 2005

Technorati

i just joined Technorati... look up my Technorati Profile.

help feed the children of Payatas

I have been looking for volunteer work since last year, and an online friend told me about the Soup Kitchen. I was inspired by everything she wrote about it, and every wonderful person who wanted to help.

My daughter, Anea, pledged to give half of what she'll be getting for Christmas, a friend of mine gave enough to feed a hundred kids for a day. And yet another gave $20 directly from the States.

Indeed, a lot of people is in need of giving out something. Not everyone is in need of receiving.

For people who want to volunteer and give donations:

"People with heart for the poor and hurting can come to do any of the following:
a. Become community health advocates
b. Visit homes of the poor to learn how we can help them
c. Work with families, to teach parenting, and budgeting
d. Help create jobs, make business plans, to learn marketing skills, to get things rolling
e. Guide young people through troubled times
f. Teach computer skills, sewing, other household skills

There are presently 13 Feeding Centers located in the following places:
1. At the Soup Kitchen, Pilot Area, Brgy. Commonwealth
2. At nearby Kasunduan street, on the east side of Commonwealth Avenue near the Commonwealth Elementary School known as:
a. Kasunduan I
b. Kasunduan II
c. Kasunduan III
d. Kasunduan IV
3. Purok 10, Unit 5, Brgy. Commonwealth
4. Rizal Street, Damsite area, Payatas
5. Kaunlaran street
6. Everlasting
7. Litex
8. Sitio Veterans, Brgy. Bagong Silang
9. Rolling Hills, Payatas
10. Ph 9, Bagong Silang, Caloocan City"

Here are the NGO's bank account details, just in case you want to make your deposits directly:

For peso donations:

Prudential Bank
Retiro Branch, N.S. Amoranto St., Quezon City
Savings Account No. 01043-010963-0
For the account of: Lighthouse Center for Children Foundation, Inc.

For U.S. dollar donations:

Prudential Bank
Retiro Branch, N.S. Amoranto St., Quezon City US
Dollars S/A # 05043-001046-7
For the account of: Lighthouse Center for Children Foundation, Inc.

Donations in kind are welcome as well... rice, mongo, seasonings, vegetables, etc.

Sunday, December 18, 2005

party!

Dale & Tony eating the cake di ka naman 7 yrs old eh blow me down

food! my cake from Tita Joie Ate, that's my cake!


It was Dale's birthday yesterday...

he slept at his Dad's apartment the night before. When he got home, he found me sleeping. According to the yaya, he went straight up to the roof deck where we normally hold parties.

After looking around, he shouted "Mommy!!! Where's mommy!"

Then he came back and woke me up, and told me, "Mommy, make my party nicely and not scary, ok?"

He was frustrated as he did not see any indication that a small party was going to take place later in the day.

The food was just pancit, chicken, cake, and ice cream. During lunch we had beef in mushroom sauce. Everything was cooked by Ronald, Dale's dad. The chicken was fabulous. I did not say so during the party 'coz Ronald was too air-headed about it already. It really tastes and looks like Jollibee's chickenjoy. Hehe.

We did not invite a lot of people. We invited our relatives, but unfortunately, all of them were not available. So, the only guests were our immediate family members, and Anne, my friend from the office.

Eventhough it wasn't a big party, I was exhausted. The kids were jumping all around and Anea was having a tantrum about not getting what she wants from her Dad.

Empoy, Joanne, and Jed came later in the evening. Empoy was able to fix the pc! Yey! We just wish that it won't crash again...

Jed was so funny. He loved Pong, my pet turtle. It looked like his first time out with friends. Hehe. He jumped, laughed, and ran around the house with Dale and Tony.

My mom called from the States and greeted Dale a happy birthday. Luckily, my brother's family was already there for the party and they were able to talk to my mom, too.

It was sad that we did not get to to even talk to Papa, but all-in-all, it was a good day.

7 birthdays have gone... countless more to come!

Saturday, December 17, 2005

Christmas Party...



i feel guilty that i didn't come to Dale's Christmas Party.... especially when the yaya told me how excited and happy Dale was... he danced and sang the Pinoy Big Brother theme song and ate a lot...

hay...

i should've come.

If only we were rich and need not work to live.

Monday, December 12, 2005

endless possibilities

hello.

I am Reich, mother to Arolf Delano (Dale, for short; 7 years old), who has Asperger's Syndrome.

I wanted to start an online reference for parents, relatives, teachers, therapists, and friends of children on the Autism Spectrum.

If there is one word that i consider my favorite, it is POSSIBILITY. Hence, the website title. 1217, stands for December 17, Dale's birthday.

I wish that with this website, other parents like me can be hopeful in finding a "cure" to Autism.

Tuesday, October 18, 2005

annoying....

Last Saturday i went to see my Endocrinologist. My mother told me beforehand that maybe i should change doctors 'coz this doctor has a lot of patients and it was near to impossible to get an appointment right away, and that she already went to that doctor (since my Mom also has thyroid problems) and she thinks she's a git... but since her Saturday schedule is first come-first served, i tried to get in line... her clinic schedule starts at 9am... i was there at 9:15, she came at 10am... i waited for her for 6 hours before she called me in...

What's annoying is that she examined me for just a minute, touching my neck... and just gave me a slip of paper, an order for blood tests... what's annoying is that i waited for her for 6 hours and she wouldn't give me a medical certificate that i needed for the office, saying that she couldn't certify that i couldn't work for 'voice' since it isn't connected with my condition and that a lot of call centers have already called her about it... what's annoying is that the findings show that i have numerous cysts and masses on my neck obstructing my vocal chords and she said it isn't connected...

What's annoying is that Maxicare's internist actually told me that i should've been either operated on already or under medication, or my masses should've been thoroughly checked out because it might be cancerous (luckily, he gave me a medcert)... what's annoying is that she never did asked me how i was feeling... and since i was pissed off already, i just ignored the git doctor and went on my way.

What's truly annoying is that i wasn't able to watch the play that my son, Dale, and I were supposed to watch at St. Paul's College, showcasing special kids (his classmates and some others), just so i can finish this stupid check-up... He was accompanied by Archie, instead...

This was the first play that Dale watched.... she told me that Dale was ecstatic and happy and watched the play all throughout...

i should've been there... i should've been with him... i should've seen how he jumped and how he sang along... i should've been the one whispering to him to shush... super GRRRR!!!

So, i asked Maxicare for another doctor. I'm gonna see this new doctor two weeks from now... i wish she isn't as stupid passive as the last one.

Lesson learned: Listen to your mother.

Thursday, August 25, 2005

of harsh realities and language barriers

nose! nung Sunday, nagsimba kami ng 10 am.. kasama ko yung dalawang kasambahay namin at ang tatlong bata... galit na galit sa akin si Dale  kasi ayaw niyang magsimba... eto ang takbo ng usapan namin (pabulong ako, pasigaw siya):

Dale: I hate you Mommy... I don't love you... I want to go to Mama to the States! hmp! hmp!

Ako: Baby, we're inside the church... do not shout.

Dale: I don't want to simba eh. hmp! hmp!

(kasalanan ko to, simula ng umalis ang paryentes ko, hindi na kami nakakasimba ng regular)

Ako: But you have to go to church every Sunday starting now.

(i recently promised myself that i will teach my kids the value of religion, even if i don't actually believe in it)

Dale: No, i don't want to go to church... i'm going home! hmp! hmp!

(by now, napapansin niyo na siguro na mahilig siyang magsabi ng 'hmp!' pag galit siya)

Ako: Baby, you are not going home. You're going to finish the service. We'll go home after an hour.

Dale: I don't love you! I love Mama and Papa. Pupunta ko ng States! hmp! hmp!

(may tears na ito... and when he cries his dimples start to show... hehe... Dale's expression of disappointment in someone is telling him/her that he doesn't love that person... but he doesn't mean it, believe me...)

Ako: Baby, you need a passport and a ticket to go to the States. Shush!

(looking at me quizzically...)

Dale: what's that?

Ako: (patay mali) what's what?

Dale: passport! what's that?

Ako: ah.. eh... it's like an ID that you use in school... you need to have an ID before they let you go to the States. (darn it.)

Dale: I have an ID! (oo nga naman...)

Ako: You have a school ID. But you don't have a passport.

(silence... di na niya siguro ma-gets... ako rin eh.)

Dale: I want to go to the States. hmp! hmp!

Ako: Baby, you don't have a ticket, too.

Dale: I will buy ticket. hmp! hmp!

(karga ko na siya nito)

Ako: Baby, the ticket to the States costs too much.

Dale: How much?

Ako: (thinking that he wouldn't grasp the concept of money) we can't afford it. It's too expensive.

Dale: How much??? (okay, okay!)

Ako: Ok, it's 60T pesos.

Dale: What??? 60T???!!! Not one thousand? (astoundingly loud with matching hand gestures)

Ako: Shush! No, baby... it's 60T.

(resting his head on my shoulder, feeling resigned...)


(after a while, he asked me another heart-wrenching question...)

Dale: Do you have 60T?

Ako: (utang na loob!!!!!) No, baby... I don't even have one thousand...


tumahimik na siya nito.. dinala ko na rin kasi siya sa sindihan ng kandila para medyo malibang...

Dale speaks in English ever since he could speak. We often experience some difficulty with this 'coz not all people the he encounters are equipped with an english tongue. even his Dad gets frustrated at times.. hehe...

Yung teacher niya hindi alam kung magrereklamo o pupurihin siya kasi minsan daw nauubusan siya ng english... and there's only two of them in class who speaks in english... Dale and Kim (guapo at autistic din)...

Like dati nung nasa hospital siya, he was constantly eating pizza that he was dubbed as the 'pizza boy' by the nurses...

Doctor: eto pala yung pizza boy...

(Dale was watching TV and eating pizza and ignoring the nice doctor)

Doctor: ano'ng kinakain mo kuya? (listening to his breathing, taking his temp, and all that jazz)

(Dale still watching the TV, ignores the nice doctor)

Doctor: kuya... ano'ng kinakain mo?

(Dale still watching the TV, ignores the nice doctor)

Doctor: and suplado naman ni kuya... (sabay hawak sa chin niya)

Ako: er... you might wanna try talking to him in english... (wincing)

Doctor: ay, ganon? english spokening dollars pala si kuya eh... kuya, what's that you're eating?

Dale: (not taking his eyes of the TV) pizza.

I sometimes feel apologetic at some point that I realized Dale needs to learn how to speak and understand Tagalog... so we let him watch Tagalog shows on TV... and translate Engligh words to him to Tagalog... minsan he asks the Tagalog word himself...

Now, he understands Tagalog and speaks in Tagalog, too... sinasanay na namin... but he sounds funny when he does... medyo slang. haha.

naawa ako sa kanya 'coz he couldn't understand some of life's realities... pero little by little, he's coming out of his shell... and i'm sure that sooner or later, he will be able to understand that not all roses are red.

i'm just hoping that it will come sooner and not later...

Sunday, August 21, 2005

Bea's first birthday party...

Yesterday was Bea's 1st birthday, and her party was at McDonald's New Frontier... it was fun... especially since Dale and Anton were having so much of it... they gamely went through one game to another... jumping all around the place and totally enjoying themselves... have a look:



Both of them got thrown out of this game.. but they didn't throw a fit either, unlike before... so i guess, it was really pretty amazing...

Saturday, August 20, 2005

fishy...

Dale started to eat pritong Alumahan two days ago...

and he keeps on asking for some... hehehe...

Sunday, August 14, 2005

constant improvement...

Dale is improving, according to his teacher... we always encourage him to write everyday and listen to his teacher...

and he does them because I said if he doesn't I will call Papa and tell him not to send Dale CDs with games anymore.

I'm such a bad Mom. hehehe.

Monday, August 08, 2005

a life full of images

marami akong hindi naisulat sa blog na ito. kaninang tiningnan ko ang aking telepono (cheap lang to, kaya malabo ang mga litrato), ang dami na palang mga litrato dito. at nalaman ko rin na merong ibang taong gumamit. hehehe. kaya ngayong day-off ko naman at wala akong gagawin dito sa bahay, naisipan kong i-post na ang mga litratong ito...

ito ang mga litratong sabi ni Dale ay siya raw ang kumuha:

anton



ang yaya Baby nila:



at ang calculator na ginagamit niya pag tinatanong ko siya ng ten minus six at gusto niyang mandaya (ngayon ay wala na ang calculator na ito. har-har-har!):



na pati ang TV kinunan din:



kung kanino mang ano ito, ayoko ng alamin:



at ang mga ito naman ay in-edit niya gamit ng software sa
aking telepono na ang tawag ay FotoFunPack2:



at ang sunog sa may amin habang ako ay kumakain ng
paborito kong mangga at isda:



ito naman ang mga hitsura ko pag ako ay nasisiraan ng bait (bagong gising):

Image Hosted by ImageShack.us

o kung ako ay nasa opisina at nakikinig ng mp3s:



ito ang pamangkin kong kasing cute ko, pero mas maldita kesa sa kin:





na naglalakad na, kaso lang laging natutumba:



at ang bebe kong school boy na:

schoolboy Anton Image Hosted by ImageShack.us

at ang aking anak na kambal:



noon pa ako nagke-crave ng talaba... nami-miss ko kasi ang inuman ng tatay ko at mga kaibigan niya... hindi nawawalan dati ng talaba sa lamesang puro pulutan. nasabi ko ito kay Ronald matagal na, at isang araw, dumating siya sa bahay ng may dalang talaba, tahong, at tokwa--lahat paborito ko... yun nga lang, pahirapan. kasi pers taym kong gagawa ng kilawing talaba. di ko alam kung pano ito bubuksan (nalaman ko na lang after na pinapakuluan pala yun para bumuka--huateber!!!!). ito ang naging resulta:





hindi ko na nakunan ang finished product, kasi pagkaluto palang nito sa suka, finished na siya agad at napunta na sa tsan ni Ronald. Mana ako sa tatay ko pag tsumatsamba sa pagluluto.

and lastly, images that will never make the Mirror Project:



maraming nangyayari sa buhay ko na hindi ko rin nailalagay lahat dito... meron kasing mga bagay na nakakalimutan, meron din namang mga bagay na ayoko ng maalala pa kahit kelan.

pero sa lahat ng taong naging parte ng buhay ko... sa lahat ng karamay sa saya at lungkot... SALAMAT NG MARAMI.

Friday, July 22, 2005

Asperger's Syndrome and My Little Rain Man

Hello.

Yesterday, we went to a Developmental Pediatrician to have Dale assessed for the second time. The first time if you remember was when he was almost 3 years old.

He was diagnosed as having Autism Spectrum Disorder. I know mahirap siyang intindihin... ako rin nung una, nalilito nung pinagaralan namin ito sa UP.

Nasa ibaba ang medyo scientific na page-explain ng differences ng AUTISM per se, at ng AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER (ASD), in which Dale falls.

Ngayon, under ng ASD, meron pang ibang categories, kaya tinawag na spectrum (meaning range).. which u can also find below.

Since bata pa masyado si Dale noon, hindi pa talaga pwedeng ma-pinpoint kung talagang AUTISTIC si Dale or under lang siya ng ASD.

Ngayong 6 years old na siya, the Dev Ped pinned it down to Asperger's Syndrome, which they also call high-functioning autism.

He has certain qualities or characteristics as that of an autistic child, but he has normal or even above average intelligence, and can express himself using the appropriate language.

Whereas, pag autistic, low ang intelligence (in all aspects, or is exceptional to only one--autistic savant) at hindi rin marunong mag-express ng feelings.

If you are thinking if it makes a whole lot of difference, the answer is very much so. Coz people with Asperger's Syndrome, with the right intervention, can live a normal life in the future.

he may finish school, and land a job. These aspects, I was very much worried about before.

So when the doctor told me that what Dale had was Asperger's, I could've jumped for joy... natanggalan ako ng napakaraming tinik sa dibdib...

Today, all my colleagues told me I looked it... and I told them it's because i really was happy.

Even if I didn't jump for joy, I settled to treating the kids with pizza yesterday. Hahahaha. I told them that we have to celebrate that day for Dale.

Masaya din ako because konti lang talaga mali ni Dale sa assessment. When he was asked to draw a man, he drew a stick figure. when he was asked to draw a woman, he drew another stick figure, but this time, it had two curved lines on its head resembling pigtails, and it had a skirt on. meaning: he can distinguish. even if it did looked like an ant to me.

when he was asked to draw a house, all of us cracked up. Coz he drew it complete with a chimney with smoke coming out of it.

the doctor was impressed. all of us where. nagulat din ako coz he answered questions when i didn't know he could do so. nagulat ako kasi alam pala niya yung mga bagay na yun.

Now to tell it all... syempre happiness is coupled again with some small problems.... all can be remedied with money. hahahaha.

intervention needed was behavior modification therapy which costs about 500 per session... which the doctor told us will be at least once a week depending on the therapist... so if the therapist decides that it's twice or thrice a week... it resembles an arm and a leg to me. haha.

the therapist's assessment (2500) is different from the Dev Ped's assessment which cost us 1500. the therapist's assessment is more thorough and for 3 consecutive days.

and the Dev Ped decided Dale can already be mainstreamed into a regular school... but not next year. and not in the nearby public preschool. She wants it to be done NOW. in a private preschool with only 10-15 students (Prep level). this will be done together with SPED school. so parang 2 schools ang aatenan niya... pero less na sa SPED.

these are some problems i am facing right now... but i know i can cope with it in some way.

i will be talking to his teacher on my day-off and we'll start from there. kasama rin kasi ang teacher niya sa pagpa-plan ng intervention for him.

for now, ninanamnam ko ang happiness. ayoko munang isipin ang mga kontra. hahahaha.

As i've said before, in terms of Dale's condition, God gives me happiness in small servings... but now, God gave me more than I could swallow.

Please join me in thanking God for this big miracle.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Autism is a developmental disability that affects a person's ability to communicate, understand language, play, and interact with others. Autism is a behavioral syndrome, which means that its definition is based on patterns of behaviors that a person exhibits. Autism is not an illness or a disease. It is not contagious and, as far as we know, it is not acquired through contact with the environment.

Autism is a neurological disability that is presumed to be present from birth and is always apparent before the age of three. Although autism affects the functioning of the brain, the specific cause of autism is unknown. In fact, it is widely assumed that there are most likely multiple causes, each of which may be manifested in different forms, or subtypes, of autism.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is an increasingly popular term that refers to a broad definition of autism including the classical form of the disorder as well as closely related disabilities that share many of the core characteristics. ASD includes the following diagnoses and classifications:

(1) Pervasive Developmental Disorder—Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS), which refers to a collection of features that resemble autism but may not be as severe or extensive;

(2) Rett's syndrome, which affects girls and is a genetic disorder with hard neurological signs, including seizures, that become more apparent with age;

(3) Asperger syndrome, which refers to individuals with autistic characteristics but relatively intact language abilities, and;

(4) Childhood Disintegrative Disorder, which refers to children whose development appears normal for the first few years, but then regresses with the loss of speech and other skills until the characteristics of autism are conspicuous. Although the classical form of autism can be readily distinguished from other forms of ASD, the terms autism and ASD are often used interchangeably.

Asperger's Disorder is the term for a specific type of pervasive developmental disorder which is characterized by problems in development of social skills and behavior. In the past, many children with Asperger's Disorder were diagnosed as having autism, another of the pervasive developmental disorders, or other disorders. While autism and Asperger's have certain similarities, there are also important differences. For this reason, children suspected of having these conditions require careful evaluation.

In general, a child with Asperger's Disorder functions at a higher level than the typical child with autism. For example, many children with Asperger's Disorder have normal intelligence. While most children with autism fail to develop language or have language delays, children with Asperger's Disorder are usually using words by the age of two, although their speech patterns may be somewhat odd.

Most children with Asperger's Disorder have difficulty interacting with their peers. They tend to be loners and may display eccentric behaviors. A child with Asperger's, for example, may spend hours each day preoccupied with counting cars passing on the street or watching only the weather channel on television. Coordination difficulties are also common with this disorder. These children often have special educational needs.

Although the cause of Asperger's Disorder is not yet known, current research suggests that a tendency toward the condition may run in families. Children with Asperger's Disorder are also at risk for other psychiatric problems including depression, attention deficit disorder, schizophrenia, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.

The outcome for children with Asperger's Disorder is generally more promising than for those with autism. Due to their higher level of intellectual functioning, many of these children successfully finish high school and attend college. Although problems with social interaction and awareness persist, they can also develop lasting relationships with family and friends.

Friday, July 08, 2005

my own little Rain Man.

my little Rain Man i watched Rain Man a couple of days back.... and in the middle of the movie, i felt the familiar tears streaming down my cheeks.

the movie brought back my worries.... my doubts... my confusion... my fear of the future for my son, Dale.

On the 20th, he will be assessed again by a Developmental Pediatrician... and i'm currently feeling like he was gonna take the board exams... what if he 'fails'? what if the doctor says that he still cannot be transferred to a regular school? what if she says he cannot live a normal life?

But just like what my cousin told me... just like the board exams, you get to have another try.... if not next year, then we still have the next.

there's not a day that i do not think of Dale's future... will he be able to finish school? will he be able to get a job? will he be able to get over his fear of rain? marry and have kids?

don't get me wrong.... Dale is not like the children with autism you see on tv... he does not have too many peculiar traits... he does not rock back and forth... he does not look like one at all...

but he does get scared when it rains... even when it isn't raining yet... he slams the door shut, closes the windows, and draws the blinds down when he sees the sky turning gray...

he says it's gonna rain... like a weather man.

and it always does.

and he cowardly lies down the sofa and covers his ears with a pillow, or with his fingers... and just lie there for hours on end.

and when i remove his fingers he will start screaming at me.

i asked him once why he's scared of rain... he says because it brings thunder... and he's scared of thunder... that it hurts his ears...

and the thought of how much it hurts him hurts me, too.

How long will this go on? How much more pain will my son endure? Why him? Why this?

But everyday, I still thank God for his successes and failures...
days when he reasons out...
days when he talks to me on the phone...
days when he looks at me when he talks...
days when he does not get sick...
days when i wake up in the middle of the night and i see him breathing...
days when he says something funny, and knowing that it was...
days when he tells me what date it was yesterday, today, and the next day...
days when he remembers how many of his classmates were absent the day before...
days when i ask him something about the peculiar things he does, and he reasons out, and then i, feeling like a fool and ashamed of myself, finally understands why he does them, because it wasn't really peculiar to him at all...
days that go by that he does not have a seizure...

Even with all the bad things that happened to me and my family... I still am grateful.

...everyday I thank God for my own little Rain Man.

Thursday, June 16, 2005

Dale's first day of school this year.

school boy

the excited school boy is coming to rule Pasay City SPED Center again.

Saturday, June 11, 2005

weird book and pc addict

reading in front of a mirror

Joanne gave this to him or Tony, i couldn't remember...
a weird THE INCREDIBLES book that you
need to read in front of a mirror.


pc addict


the computer addict strikes again.

he strikes everyday.

thrice a day.