So, I suppose, its time to talk about this....

*sighs*
Three working topic in my mind - two semi requested, and one - new.
1) Autism as Evolution.
2) Accepting Autism
3) FAS and learning to believe.

Autism as Evolution.
In the global wake of the baby boom, population is slipping, dropping at fantastic levels... bringing about all the adherent issues. Economy in decline, War a slightly less popular option, people pickier about thier mates and when they mate.
And we see a rise in - autism?
To me, it makes sense - in a post modern world.

The human mind was never meant to handle the amount of information we have thrown at us, the massive complex thing that is life. Multi-tasking is no longer the exception - its the rule, you have to be able to do more then one thing at once, or you wont get a job, never mind hold a job.

And now, we are seeing a huge plethora of children being born who simply *cant* function in a society that is loud, obnoxios, and overwhelming to the senses. All the things that cause us to have "mild issues" now and then, are thrust aside in the light of a child who wants a quiet, still enviroment - something peaceful and still.

Perhaps this is what will save our species from drowning in absolute stupid.

Think about it. These people dont like the fast motion of vehicles. THey dont multi-task at work, but are very happy at one simple task. They dont get tired of it, they find joy, in the simplistic.
They dont like the loud, perferring quiet and peaceful. WEll suited to basic survival traits - like... farming. Like simple construction.

They are easily overjoyed, by small things - and react - to us - in radical fashion, to the smallest things. But what I see is a child who reacts appropriately to something we have grown jaded and bored to.
Maybe the world needs them now. TO remind us.
The lives we lead today? Are miserable, hungry, life sapping wrecks.
THere is an easier way.

Accepting Autism.
My child, did not change when the Dr. looked me in the eye, and said "Akiva has autism" She did not suddeny "have" something wrong with her. The child that walked into that office was the same as the child who walked out of it.
The only thing that changed, was the battle plan.
No - lets go with the map
I like the map analogy.

You see - every child born in this time and place, comes with a pretty standard road map.
The pre-school, the first crush, the kindergarten, the first *real crush, elementary school and the endless round of pointless "graduation" they have these days.
Swimming lessons, dance lessons and jr high
heart break, back stabbing and "you dont understand!"
sr high and the crush of realization that a war is almost at the end, and you have to finally define yourself. Graduation and Commencement and sex and jobs and OMG - being an adult sucks...

We know this road - weve been down it.
And now... all of a sudden, with one word - that map no longer is there. And instead, you are handed another. A more - scenic route, a slower route. One with a lot of unexpected stops and detours.

Now, you have two choices.
Ever been to Oregon?

Oregon has two main highways. One is the I5. The I5 cuts in an almost straight line through the middle of the state. Mostly, through cattle country. Its easily the most boring highway I have ever been on. The second one, is the scenic route. This road winds along the coast. It probably takes 2 or even 3 times longer to drive. You see huge caverns filled with bats, the redwoods, the pacific ocean crashing along sandy beaches. You see quiant little blink if you miss them towns with mom and pop hamburger joints where they actually know how to cook, and little old ladies out walking thier dogs wearing umbrella hats and waving at every car that goes by.

Sometimes, you really wish you were on that fast track. The gas stations dont come at regular, predictable interveles, the road isnt always in the best condition, and its narrow and windy... ill lit at night.

But, its beautiful. It reminds you of the beautiful things in life. IT reminds you that God is an amazing creator, whos artwork is unparralleled in this world.

I think in the end, you might even feel sorry for the people who have to take that fast and easy route. They missed out on so many things. Things that you got to sit back, and enjoy.

So, when the road suddenly washes out from your feet, and your faced with that terrifying moment. The map you were given is taken away from you, and instead, you get this *other* thing....
You can choose like the people do in victoria at rush hour.
Either you sit in your car and freak out that your going to be late.

Or you crank the tunes, pop the top of a cold can of coke, get out of the car, and visit with your new "neighbors" untill traffic starts moving agin.

Its intirely up to you. Every. Single. Day.

Jurassic Park Tales

Dinosaur = Lizard
Cow = Bessie

Daddy - "Theres the Lizerd, and theres the bessie - say bye to bessie, Eva..."
Eva - Bye Bessie, byebye bessie, Lizard - oh Dinosaur - big dinosaur - oh OH! bye Bessie.......
Mama - *headdesk*

OK... its been a while

I think we have a pre-school for Eva, and on monday we have our first assesment for home care workers. So things are crawling along.

Eva though, has taken a few very big steps, since the last time I posted. I got her up from her nap one day, to discover her fully dressed in clothes she wasnt wearing when I put in her in there. That means that she - 1) Got her closet open. 2) Picked out clothes on her own. 3) Took off her shirt. 4) Put on - socks, pants, and shirt, all properly. 5) Closed the closet and drawers back up.

I was insanely happy.

She topped it when we got her Princess and the Frog, her new faverate movie. Every single time TIana comes out with the blue dress on, she runs over and tells me "Princess". Naveen turns up as the frog, and she comes over and tells me "Frog". And of course, when they torture that poor little kitty, she comes over and tells me "Kitty". New on that list, is the Shadow Demons. She *used* to say "puppy" there, but weve taught her the word "Demon" and she now calls them that.
So - she actually "including" us in something she enjoys, which is massive on the socialization scale.

Speaking of words....
Jade has learned a new one.

The weather is nice enough for them to play outside again, and everytime ur neighbor lets her dogs out, Eva comes in and points outside, saying "up" (again, another *huge* step forward) Shes indicating that she wants us to lift her up so she can see the puppies over the fence.
So of course, we indulge that, then Jade wants up, so we lift him up too.

Well the first time we did this, after I put him down, he was standing on his little blue seated "bike" thingy.... and I was chatting with the neighbor.

Her - "Little boy, I dont think you should be standing on that - its not safe"
Jade - "Oh Fuck"
cue hysterical laughter
Daddy comes to the door
Jade walks over, looking - well, a bit confused...
Daddy - "what did you say?"
Jade "oh shit"
cue more hysterical laughter.

of course, since then, he has done a repeat performance, and gotten soap on the tongue for it. Just a drop of liquid, but hopefully, hes learned his lesson.
As amusing as it is to see that insanely angelic face.... yeah.

and my final story for the day...
mama woke up with a very upset tummy. Not too sure what I ate, but oh my goodness did I ever feel like Riply from Aliens... (no Jan, not the puppy)
SO I put on yes, Princess and the Frog - again....and curled up on the couch in pain.

Within a few minutes, Eva comes over and puts her little "Beekaa" over me... her own little pink blanket that she loves. And momma wipes a tear away because - yeah.
Well, smart child that she is, she realizes quickly that mommas a bit big for the beekah. (Yeah, thats a better spelling for that word) So she goes over to where I have my big purple throw, and pulls it over, and then actually tucks me in, complete with making sure my feet are covered, and giving me a kiss.

Then, she crawls up, sits up where my head is (Ive got my hood up on my bathrobe) and she tugs my head onto her lap.
So momma, big tough bitch she is, sits there crying for about 10 minutes...

Tell me - what did I ever do - to deserve a child like that?