By Jen Sanchez
Many believe autistic children are “not normal”, uncooperative and in need for someone to depend on because they are deemed incapable of independence. Yet as I watch my 9-year old cousin, Joel--play toys, smile, giggle, and learn manners-- such claims are unrealistic. Autism does not define anyone’s ability to be independent.
My cousin was born normal, he was growing up fine, he would eat mostly anything. We realized as he was growing older and older he stopped eating alot and stop interacting with people.
He turned 2 years old when they diagnosed him with a disorder called “autism.” Not all kids get autism at this age, some can be older or some can be younger. This doesn’t mean you should close your self in a hole where you think that your son/daughter isn't normal.
Many people say they are dumb but actually they are very smart. They suggested my cousin to go to therapy at age 4, ever since then many different s have interacted with him. He only goes twice a week, one is physical and the second one is speech with occupational.
When he goes to his sessions they play with him on the swings inside a room, he plays with legos, blocks, he colors, he loves to play with slime because it’s soft and he loves things that can stretch. The occupational therapy helps him develop and helps in his writing skills.
The occupational therapy is for the everyday skills, they taught him how to use the bathroom as well as trying new foods like I mention he would only eat very few amount of foods for example he would only eat rice and cereal without milk and he would only drink vitamin water.
Ever since he went to this therapy he has grown little by little by this therapy sessions. He is very independent, he carries so much stress with him to point where he gets mad with everything, he throws fits and starts hitting himself and pinching his mom and dad.
Autistic kids are very independent they like to be alone a lot. We have noticed that my cousin feels better being home where no one will interrupt him, he doesn't like being out because he likes to be in a quiet place.
Statistics say, “One in ten autistics children have special abilities that could classify them as savants.
Joel loves to play with any type of animal for example he loves dogs. When we would go to my other cousins house he would play with there dog and would try to pull their tail a lot and pinch them. The only reason my auntie and uncle don’t get him a dog is because he is afraid Joel will hurt them bad. In those situations like that we try to calm him down a lot but he gets even more.
When we go to stores or if we are out in public many people don’t see him as normal because the way he acts but for a lot of people it’s normal because that how autistic kids are.
Joel’s therapist, Brooke, has mentioned that “these kids have their own strengths and challenges everyone is different and act different. Her goal as a therapist is to reflect their needs whether it to be around play, engagement, social skills or emotional regulation.”
Getting to know him first by what he needs, understanding how the process his sensory information (visually, auditory, smell, touch).
She also states, “Some kids like to swing, climb, go into a small spaces, jump or squeeze and object. There are several professions that work with children with autism. Speech therapists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, counselors, doctors, trained specialists in ABA (applied behavioral analysis) teachers.”
There are a lot of theories surrounding autism. Currently research is being done to understand the brain and what contributing factors leads to diagnosis of autism.
Therapist Brook states, “Everyone changes as they get older, so the needs of kids can change as they improve, acquire different skills and have a variety of experiences. So as kids get older their needs change and they adjust their goals and approaches as they see fit.”
My cousin Joel has always been quiet and in his own world, when I say “his own world” I mean he doesn’t like to share his things or play with any one. I have been there since we found out my aunt was pregnant; I was only 6 when she got pregnant.
It has been a rough time for my uncle to accept the fact of his son with autism but he had to accept it one day no matter what because autism isn't a big deal it’s normal. He would cry every night thinking that Joel has autism.
My aunt was hurt as well but she had to accept it because everyone is born normal except he has a disorder. I've seen Joel grown since day 1 and since that day he has changed a lot in many different ways.
He loves to be around me alot he like to take my phone and go on YouTube to watch cartoons so my uncle bought him a tablet but he doesn’t like so he had a phone which he uses and keeps him entertained at times.
I try to play with him alot during the summer outside we play catch the ball or any little games like that, he likes the pool so we got him a pools so he can get in there and play with water since that makes him relaxed.
I try to help my aunt out when I can, I babysit him and he's chill with me because I like to interact with kids that have disorders, I have so much love for them no matter what because every kid shouldn’t and don’t deserve to get treated differently.
Joel is turning 9 years old in December and he's living his happy life how he is growing each day like he can. Open up to anyone with disorders trust me it won't change anything it will actually help you and them become a happier person in life.
Many believe autistic children are “not normal”, uncooperative and in need for someone to depend on because they are deemed incapable of independence. Yet as I watch my 9-year old cousin, Joel--play toys, smile, giggle, and learn manners-- such claims are unrealistic. Autism does not define anyone’s ability to be independent.
My cousin was born normal, he was growing up fine, he would eat mostly anything. We realized as he was growing older and older he stopped eating alot and stop interacting with people.
He turned 2 years old when they diagnosed him with a disorder called “autism.” Not all kids get autism at this age, some can be older or some can be younger. This doesn’t mean you should close your self in a hole where you think that your son/daughter isn't normal.
Many people say they are dumb but actually they are very smart. They suggested my cousin to go to therapy at age 4, ever since then many different s have interacted with him. He only goes twice a week, one is physical and the second one is speech with occupational.
When he goes to his sessions they play with him on the swings inside a room, he plays with legos, blocks, he colors, he loves to play with slime because it’s soft and he loves things that can stretch. The occupational therapy helps him develop and helps in his writing skills.
The occupational therapy is for the everyday skills, they taught him how to use the bathroom as well as trying new foods like I mention he would only eat very few amount of foods for example he would only eat rice and cereal without milk and he would only drink vitamin water.
Ever since he went to this therapy he has grown little by little by this therapy sessions. He is very independent, he carries so much stress with him to point where he gets mad with everything, he throws fits and starts hitting himself and pinching his mom and dad.
Autistic kids are very independent they like to be alone a lot. We have noticed that my cousin feels better being home where no one will interrupt him, he doesn't like being out because he likes to be in a quiet place.
Statistics say, “One in ten autistics children have special abilities that could classify them as savants.
Joel loves to play with any type of animal for example he loves dogs. When we would go to my other cousins house he would play with there dog and would try to pull their tail a lot and pinch them. The only reason my auntie and uncle don’t get him a dog is because he is afraid Joel will hurt them bad. In those situations like that we try to calm him down a lot but he gets even more.
When we go to stores or if we are out in public many people don’t see him as normal because the way he acts but for a lot of people it’s normal because that how autistic kids are.
Joel’s therapist, Brooke, has mentioned that “these kids have their own strengths and challenges everyone is different and act different. Her goal as a therapist is to reflect their needs whether it to be around play, engagement, social skills or emotional regulation.”
Getting to know him first by what he needs, understanding how the process his sensory information (visually, auditory, smell, touch).
She also states, “Some kids like to swing, climb, go into a small spaces, jump or squeeze and object. There are several professions that work with children with autism. Speech therapists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, counselors, doctors, trained specialists in ABA (applied behavioral analysis) teachers.”
There are a lot of theories surrounding autism. Currently research is being done to understand the brain and what contributing factors leads to diagnosis of autism.
Therapist Brook states, “Everyone changes as they get older, so the needs of kids can change as they improve, acquire different skills and have a variety of experiences. So as kids get older their needs change and they adjust their goals and approaches as they see fit.”
My cousin Joel has always been quiet and in his own world, when I say “his own world” I mean he doesn’t like to share his things or play with any one. I have been there since we found out my aunt was pregnant; I was only 6 when she got pregnant.
It has been a rough time for my uncle to accept the fact of his son with autism but he had to accept it one day no matter what because autism isn't a big deal it’s normal. He would cry every night thinking that Joel has autism.
My aunt was hurt as well but she had to accept it because everyone is born normal except he has a disorder. I've seen Joel grown since day 1 and since that day he has changed a lot in many different ways.
He loves to be around me alot he like to take my phone and go on YouTube to watch cartoons so my uncle bought him a tablet but he doesn’t like so he had a phone which he uses and keeps him entertained at times.
I try to play with him alot during the summer outside we play catch the ball or any little games like that, he likes the pool so we got him a pools so he can get in there and play with water since that makes him relaxed.
I try to help my aunt out when I can, I babysit him and he's chill with me because I like to interact with kids that have disorders, I have so much love for them no matter what because every kid shouldn’t and don’t deserve to get treated differently.
Joel is turning 9 years old in December and he's living his happy life how he is growing each day like he can. Open up to anyone with disorders trust me it won't change anything it will actually help you and them become a happier person in life.