Overheard in the Wolfe House #92

Sam: How was work today Mom?
Peggy: Not good. I ...
Sam: Don't tell me about it.

Overheard in the Wolfe House #91

Sam: I was getting ready to play some midi-files of Nintendo tunes.
Peggy: That sounds fun.
Sam: I thought you didn't like those songs.
Peggy: I don't like that they repeat.
Sam: Well, you can't repeat a midi file. They have to play through to the final note.

Getting a promotion

I got word today that Sam has built two computers now, and has been asked to train another student there at nonPareil how to do it.

His first promotion.

I asked Sam yesterday whether he would want to take any more computer classes at NCTC after graduation. They probably would let him, I said. "I don't think I'll be doing any more of that," he said.

The cap and gown are hanging in the closet. Instructions for the ceremonies arrived in the mail this week. We are rapidly coming to the edge of the cliff. I have no idea what's in store, but we will do what we've always done before.

Leap, and the net will appear.

Overheard in the Wolfe House #90

Peggy: Wow, Sam, thanks so much for putting those dishes away.
Sam: Yeah, well, you're going to be washing more pretty soon.

Overheard in the Wolfe House #89

Peggy (eyes twinkling): So, Sam, what is that package on the office floor?
Sam: That would be my hat and gown. (pause) And that's all I'm going to say about that right now.

Never medicated

Today's installment is from a CNN blog entry on a review of studies, determining whether drugs -- pretty much of any kind -- help treat autism "core" symptoms.

And the verdict? They don't.

Not secretin, not antipsychotic drugs, not serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SRIs), not antidepressants, not stimulants or any other medication for hyperactivity.

We never agreed to any kind of medication for Sam, even when it was suggested when he was struggling with some anxiety during his first year of college. We dusted off some relaxation techniques and he worked through it. Life is hard enough for him and kids like him without trying to do it doped up.

The only thing that helps core symptoms (repetitive behaviors, communication and socialization) is applied behavioral therapy, and the earlier the better.

And I'm with Dr. Margaret Bauman -- some of those repetitive behaviors have a purpose. Pay close attention before you try to extinguish or re-direct them. You may be sorry you tried.

Overheard in the Wolfe House #88

(Paige grunts in disgust in the other room.)
Peggy: I think Paige is having trouble hemming her prom dress.
Sam: What can she do?
Peggy: Should I go help her?
Sam: Whatever you want. I can't help her.

A call to be

My former editor and good friend, Annette Fuller, wrote this installment for autism awareness in the Winston-Salem Journal.

That a father would start a company in order to serve his son is no surprise to me. The folks over at nonPareil did the same.

But I was surprised at one statistic he shared with Annette: those of us without disabilities have more than 150 people in our support network. People with disabilities have 10 -- and that is the challenge to the rest of us. Are you part of that network for someone with a disability? Maybe you should be.

All month long

It's April and it's "autism awareness" month. We're pretty "aware" of autism around the Wolfe house, but I will give my two cents on the many news stories that roll out this month.

I'm happy to see the story today in Parade magazine about the first wave of the autism baby boom turning 20. There are so few programs for adults.

Sam is fortunate to be interning at nonPareil. Gary Moore, one of the directors and founders, tells me there are plenty of kids like Sam out there -- some have managed to earn a 4-year degree; Sam will be getting a certificate -- and have trouble holding down a job.

Joanne Chen points out in today's article that 20 percent of adults with autism are employed. Sixty percent are either under-employed or paid below-market wages.

That will be Sam when he graduates. He bags groceries at Albertsons; he could be building computers for someone. He loves it; and as far as I can tell, he's doing a good job. And like other adults with autism, he doesn't mind repetitive work.

Who will hire him?

P.S. Happy Birthday to the Family Room blog, sometimes better known as the Overheard in the Wolfe House blog, but still oneyear old today.

It's About Time

I wanted to put an expletive in the title, but since this is all about respectful language, I didn't.

The Texas Legislature should soon be removing retarded and other disrespectful language from the statutes.

People first language for all of us, including parents.