Mind your Manners

Kelli over at "There's No Place Like Home" hosts a show and tell every Friday. Hop on over and see her special treasures along with links from others who participate in this fun little activity!

If you follow my posts you will know that I am dedicating the entire month to Autism Awareness on my blog. I decided to continue with the few themed days that I participate in - but use these days to bring autism to the forefront.

This Friday for S&T I wanted to show you some of the items I was able to purchase for Zak. I use these cards during his therapy sessions each day. Children challenged with autism often have an easier time learning if they are taught concepts through pictures. This has proved true with our Zak. These cards are some of my favoirtes!

Here are the cards I use to teach him manners.

One side of the card has the 'bad' manner pictured:

The other side of the card has the 'good' manner pictured:

When doing therapy with Zak we go over these cards about 2-3 times each therapy session. When I hold up the 'bad' side he always says, "UT, ohhh..." and then tells me the best way he can what is wrong in the picture. I then turn it over; and as innocently as he can he says, "Much better..." It has been fun using the cards to help him. I am noticing that he is catching himself outside of the therapy session doing a 'bad' manner. He then will say, "UT, ohhh..." and then start doing the 'good' manner. He keeps doing it over and over again pushing me in the arm until I say, "Much better..." It has brought a few smiles into my days - and helped me feel like something is working.

Thanks for stopping by my S&T. Would you consider posting my picture with a link over to my blog to help raise Autism Awareness? Our kids need people to understand their challenges. If you would - I would be very grateful.

Blessings,

~Martie

Today's Autism Tip - Friday April 4, 2008

Today's Autism Tip

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Friday, April 4, 2008

4. Plan and prioritize for quality time with the other children in you home.

Special needs children require a lot of our time and efforts; but it is not healthy for them or for the other children in the family for us to spend all our time with one focus. By making sure that we have time for the others lends to a happier home life.

Zak requires a lot of attention; and we gladly give it to him - collectively as a family. However, we have set aside one night a week where the other children get to stay up late and spend time with Mom and Dad after Zak has gone to bed. (Zak goes right to sleep with the medication he is on - so he knows no different). This way we are able to spend time with them doing older kids 'things. (Playing Rook, reading together, or playing a computer game together) . This has been wonderful for all of us. The kids enjoy the time with Mom and Dad - and we enjoy quality time where we are able to focus on them without being 'on call' with Zak.

For the complete list of tips go HERE.

Blessings,

~Martie

April 3, 2008 - Autism Tip

Autism Tip of the Day

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Thursday April 3, 2008 3. Daily try to entrench your child with the understanding of God's love


*Use Bible Verse Picture Cards

* Use Bible Pictures from which to teach : (Someday I plan to get these for Zak)

*Point out God in their daily activities: ("God made your apple - He loves you and wants you to stay healthy." or "Look at the bird, God made the bird - isn't it pretty?"

*Try to teach them to pray - (the best way for any child to learn to pray is to hear Mom or Dad praying!)

*Have godly music playing throughout the day. (I do believe some of the old hymns are some of the most calming music!)

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We understand that there probably will be limitations academically that Zak will struggle with for the rest of his life. We do not know what the future holds. Perhaps he will not know how to read or write. (However, I am going to do my best to give him every resource possible to allow him to overcome this obstacle!) Yet, we have decided that if Zak knows nothing else - we want him to have an understanding of God's love for Him. God loves Him very very much. We want him to know deep within his heart that Jesus loves Him - watches over Him - and has a purpose for him. Daily - many many times a day - we try to point out to him the attributes of God seen in everyday life. I want his little heart tender to this wonderful God who loves him so!

If when it is all said and done - (when all the therapies have been tried - all the professionals consulted - all academic resources attempted) - if, at the end of all that there is no result - ( and I pray that is not the case!) - I will consider myself blessed if my son realizes the love of God. If my Zak wakes up thinking about God - enjoying the beauty of nature and realizing in his little mind that God made that - it is then that I will feel we have been successful. The most successful therapy for Zak will be those repetitions and repeated phrases telling him over and over again that there is a God who loves Him!

"Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not..."

Blessings my Friends

~Martie

(For a complete list of the tips given please go here)