I (Jason) am traveling in Asia, far away from the family. Skype keeps us all sane, I think. Jackson sits on Sara’s lap and looks right at the computer. It’s almost like eye contact. But it’s not the same, of course. Anyway, something about being away makes me want to post this story. Continue reading “Jackson’s Barter System”
Hidden Potential
Rat, tat, tat, tat, chk, chk, chk, chk, chk, chk, chk, chk…Ahhh…all else in the house is quiet, but my pounding head is still not at peace since Jackson is not allowed to nap in order to protect the sanctity of nighttime sleep. Two packaged strips of fruit leather are madly flailing against the edge of the coffee table. Jackson’s arms are a blur. With incredible precision and endurance, he whips those fruit strips like his life depends on it. And I am faced with a decision: do I allow him to be lost in this repetitive movement, known in the autism community as flapping or stimming (Self Stimulatory Behavior)? Continue reading “Hidden Potential”