A week ago today, at this very moment in fact, Jon and I were sitting in the Palm Theater in Telluride listening to Temple Grandin. If you don't know who she is, let me tell you in a few short words. Temple Grandin is a Professor at CSU, has designed over half the meat packing plants in the US, and has autism. If you would like to learn more about her life, Claire Danes starred in a very good HBO movie, playing the character of Temple Grandin, called Thinking in Pictures. Jon and I watched it shortly after receiving Iann's diagnosis and really enjoyed it.
On one hand, listening to Temple speak to a crowded auditorium was inspiring: she didn't talk until she was 3 years old and has traditionally struggled to make eye contact. On the other hand, it was overwhelming because she is very much a lady with autism. She is opinionated, and convinced that she is right with her opinions, and she repeated much of her message many times.
Her two main points were that children with autism need to be taught manners and given a chance to succeed in the areas where they are strongest. She was clearly unimpressed with parents who excuse their child's behaviors due to his/her autism. She was taught manners by her mother, and believes that all children be taught them.
In the same way, at the age of 13, her mother got her a job as a seamstress twice a week, and by age 15 she was in charge on 9 horses at her aunt's ranch during the summer. She stressed many times that all children, both those with and without autism, should be made to take on a job as a young teenager, even if it just walking the neighbors dog every day. This teaches them very important skills, that will help them for the rest of their lives.
It was encouraging to see a women who was given all the chances her mother could provide be such a success, and yet ... she is still, and always will be autistic.
My main take away was to never give up on our belief that Iann will one day not only talk, but will be a productive member of our world. Jon and I are committed to teaching Iann how to be part of our family and part of our community. We will help him be the best young man that he can, and will watch him carefully to see where his strengths are, and will then help him excell in that area.
Any help and support that anyone else is able to give us - prayer, ideas, listening ears, time to spend engaging Iann - is always welcome :) He is a joy to be around, but, to be perfectly honest, it can be a tiring and sometimes thankless job that we need a short break from! Going to Telluride overnight was a wonderful break, the first time that we have left Iann overnight since he came home. While I did miss my two little boys that night, going to sleep without wondering if I will get to sleep all night, and not having to wake up for anything, was bliss!!!
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