Most of you know that my son, Sean is midly autistic, he was diagnosed with Pervasive Developmental Disorder about a year and half ago. I knew that he was not typical when he was 1.5 so it's been a long road.  He has come so far in so little of time, it's been amazing. Today I am feeling especially vunerable, not because of him but because of me. I thought if anyone is on this same journey they might be thinking the same thing I am thinking....

What could I be doing differently to help you, Sean?

How can I help you express what you want?

How do I comfort you, when I know you are hurt but won't tell me?

Why can't I hear what you are saying when you whisper instead of talk?

How can I be a better mother and friend to you?

Why can't I take the frustration away? Why can't I cure this disorder?????

Ok, so I was watching Medical Increndible on Discovery Health and there was a family where the boy was severely autistic on, and he was 4 or 5 and not talking or giving eye contact. They did some research and found a book called "Son-Rise: The Miracle Continues" by Barry Neil Kaufman and website: http://www.autismtreatmentcenter.org/ and went through this program to help their son. It was so interesting to see the video tapes of how they created the boy's "therapy" room and how the connected to him on emotional level after a while of working with almost all of the time. He kept PROGRESSING!! I have never see a program where the parents and other helpers play with the child in the child's own enviroment and thus develop that emotional connection. He even graduated himself from the program around age 10 or something like that.  It was amazing to see him at 11 talking, interacting, like any typical child when the had video tape at him at 5 not even interacting at all. Anyway, to make a long story short, I immediately ordered the book 2-day and I am going to look into this program!

Thought I would share! :)

Pam