A Diverse Spectrum

  Autism is a spectrum. It represents itself in many different ways depending on the person. The one real broad view of Autism that people have is RAIN MAN.  The movie has an Autistic man who is low functioning in many ways but has unique abilities that can't be ignored by a greedy brother. Although this movie is quite entertaining it doesn't do many Autistic adults justice. Most Autistic adults are invisible struggling to get along in this world. We are a highly visual society you see. We can see that the character in RAIN MAN was impaired in some way. We tend to act accordingly. It is hard to know how to approach someone that is different. I don't mean skin color, gender, or nationality because I don't view that as different. I talking a non-neurotypical. My advice is approach them like everyone else. Find out where they're at. We are all human and love interaction. My oldest daughter on the Autistic spectrum might seem stand offish but loves people. She will talk about a person for several minutes after they are gone. My other daughter on the spectrum will talk your ear off. It's a diverse spectrum no two are a like. Mine are opposites but both Autistic.
    Sharon is what would be considered in the mid range of function. She is very verbal. However, has trouble communicating. People are confused when I say that she can talk but can't communicate. We communicate in a lot of different ways. Verbal is actually just one of them. We point, gesture, facial expression, and body language all communication. Sharon has trouble with all of that. Sharon verbally will get mixed up as well. We have to figure out what she wants by remembering what movie or show she just watched and puzzle it out at times. Other times she can be very direct like "I'm Hungry". Which is wonderful. We love when we get this directness. Sharon also in very visually autistic. I take her out and people know. She is in her own world. She sings, laughs and dances her way. She usually has to be moved around people.  The thing that I love about Sharon is that she always puts a smile on someone else's face. Always. You can be having a bad day; Sharon will bulldozer that faster than a tornado.
     Leah is a high function autistic. We didn't get her diagnosed until she was 9. She has a number of issues. With autism you can several underlying diagnosis. She has ADHD and Mood Disorder. We were mostly concerned with the mood disorder. She is in of moods in a blink of an eye. However, She has the cognitive impairment of an autistic. She has trouble with sound. She will get over stimulated and it leads to meltdowns. Her sister will very rarely meltdown in public. Leah has no problem with this. The fact that she has trouble with moods it can come out of no where. When you think every thing is fine its not. The other hand of this Leah happy is the best experience you'll ever have.  Leah is not visually autistic. Leah looks like she is the typical neurotypical kid. She has an invisible disability.  We've had people give unwanted advice on discipline. We have had people say she doesn't look autistic when politely told that she does. Autism does not have a look by the way.  I have also had the suggestion that maybe she just needs more sleep. Yes, we could all use more sleep around here.
     I really haven't come up with a calm mature way to deal with these type of problems.  Most people look at Sharon and think that she is my main problem. She is of course a challenge. She is also a huge blessing to me. She is so happy all the time. She teaches me what joy means everyday. You really have know idea what a blessing it is to have someone that just loves life like Sharon. Leah is my biggest challenge in my life. It isn't because she causes problems. It is because I'm not exactly sure how to help her yet. The fact that she is invisible. She will have this extra challenge of constantly being judged for being extra. Leah is well, she is Leah. She is sunshine. She will warm you on a first spring day. She will be bright. She will burn your eyes in the middle of summer. She will burn your skin in mid-august. You have to be prepared with sunscreen. This kiddo you need her desperately because the world would be dark without her.