It’s 11:30 am, and Jackson and I have ditched church. On Easter. Sara and the crew probably suspect we are roaming the back halls. We tried that. But Jackson was out of control. So now we’re watching a flock of birds fly over the east Australian current, carrying rumors of a desperate clownfish who “will stop at nothing to find his son.” (Pretty soon they’ll be inside the whale. What a great scene!)
Jack’s problem this morning was twofold: matching and drumming. He was holding matching wrapped fruit strips in each hand and was tapping out a mean rhythm against the sanctuary wall. That’s when I took him out. In the hallway, he continued his performance, but got louder and louder, and then started throwing himself on the floor. I tried leaving him in the nursery. Veggie Tales was on and everything. But he wasn’t having any of that either.
The matching thing can get irritating. Even now, my boy is holding on to two identical objects–green foam sticks. He has several of these OCD-like tendencies (he has an obsession with Carolina blue… seriously.), but this one is the most obvious. Two spatulas, socks, forks, ribbons, even underwears. It can be anything with a twin. Always two.
Dr. James Coplan, an autism specialist, says this about the similarities between Autism and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder:
People with ASD [Autism Spectrum Disorder] frequently have intensely repetitive thoughts and behaviors, much like those seen in persons with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD).
People with OCD usually feel uncomfortable with their symptoms, and would like to be rid of them, whereas people with ASD usually are not bothered by their obsessions, and in fact may embrace them. People with autism spectrum disorders also have a range of other social, language, and cognitive differences not seen in people with OCD.
[Taken from autism.about.com]
Yeah, it can be irritating, but that description makes me chuckle, too. Jackson certainly embraces his matching. During his two minute drum solo in the nursery this morning, his smile was nothing short of triumphant.
Anyway, Nemo is about to be found, and Sara Jane just called. Time to go pick up the family. Thanks for listening.
You and Sarah are my hero’s. I think that your response to life’s challenges are inspirational. Not because you are some how super human or without bad days, but because you both love deeply, cry when needed, laugh often, and keep looking to God as good while walking through this mystery part of life. I love you guys and I love how you love!
We admire and appreciate you guys so much! Thanks for loving with the compassionate and stubborn love of our heavenly father.
Hi As you know my brother in law is autistic. And I have seen for some years as my mother in law has helped him and understood. Jason on the the note above I remembered how my brother in law for the social area. My husband’s brother does not like being in crowded places and noise extremes, he becomes agitated and angry. He cries and complains. And try to leave the place and my mother in law has to look for him. What she has done this 42 years d is autistic he always tried to maintain a calm and quiet . He enjoys being with people so that he contec and family. My mother in law is like you guys, she always asks him to answer what he wants and always goes 1ou 2 words yes or not he makes an espression that do not like or want more when he needs resposder. It has to be a routine. Because he has difficulty adapting to new things and strange. He loves balls always have 1 or 2 balls in his hand and he enjoys playing on the wall. At the time he is 42 years. I love my brother too and I know he loves me too. You guys always ihave and my encouragement. Love Luci