I see it on the time online from parents with kids with autism. Big declarations of where their kids fall on the spectrum. High functioning, severe, moderate, diet (no wait a minute. Scratch that last one). I'm also peppered with questions from you guys where The Kiddo is at too? Here's the thing. I don't know. I can't pinpoint him in one category I've even been accused of making up the mere existence of my kiddo in order to have a blog. Yep, that's right. I'm totally faking this all. All the big money is in autism blogging. Everyone knows that. I just love me some free sensory toys swag! I'm totally chewing on some chewy tubes right now while sitting on a therapy ball.
Part of this is because I don't share his picture or name, I am sure. How can I prove his autism to the doubters. Here's the thing. He didn't ask me to write a blog about him, so that's not changing anytime soon. Despite him being the most handsome creature on earth, yes, I will continue to deny you the pleasure of his face. Sorry! So I guess I'll make a little list for you. I understand your need to want to put him under a label. You want to organize your blogs. Hey, autism lives here. I completely get that.
I have a kiddo who can look up and find hotel deals on the Groupon App on the iPad but he can't tie his own shoes.
I have a kiddo upon hearing his music therapist play a chord on the guitar can go over to the piano and find the same chord on there. Did I mention we don't even have a piano? He's never taken a formal lesson. He still can't sign his own name without a lot of help.
I have a kiddo who laughed out loud when a tiger at the zoo roared so loud that the ground shook but is scared to death at the sound of a fly buzzing by his head.
I have a kiddo who can tell you the number of any hotel room we have ever stayed in and the location. Every number theater and what movie we saw in it. Everyone he ever meets birthday but he couldn't give you the directions to our house from school to get him home.
I have a kiddo that can tell you his father is a lawyer and works in an office but he has no idea really what that means.
I have a kiddo who loves being around other kiddos but as soon as he is he completely ignores them. Yet when I tell him it's time for us to leave, will meltdown if I didn't give him enough time to prepare for leaving the very kiddos he is busy ignoring.
I have a kiddo that has brought me to my knees crying in frustration countless times. I have a kiddo who has made me so happy that my heart could burst.
I have a kiddo who couldn't say his own name till he was five years old but at eight years old walked on stage at a holiday concert and in front of a packed house of hundreds introduce the next song that they would sing.
I have a kiddo who is so set in his nighttime routine that he cannot skip a single part of it, despite falling asleep during it most nights. If we try to skip parts, meltdown city.
I have a kiddo that still has trouble balancing or hopping on one foot but he can whiz around the neighborhood on a scooter or bike with no problem.
I have a kiddo who will jump into any pool but needs prompting to remember that the water from the shower won't hurt.
I have a kiddo that can sing along to James Taylor's "Sweet Baby James" word for word but still has trouble speaking in full sentences and using the correct pronouns.
I have a kiddo that I love and that kiddo has autism. His autism. Kiddo autism and that's an autism I am still learning about each day.
Does this list prove it enough for you? Well then, if not, feel free to pick him up for a side of fries. I'm sure he'll be happy to prove his autism to you.