Category Archives: Aspergers Syndrome

Sweetie and SuperPizzaBoy on Television

Guess What! SuperPizzaBoy’s school, Town and Country School, here in Tulsa moved into some spacious new digs over the summer. Everybody is under one roof and we have lots of extra room to grow. Town and Country School is a private school that specializes in kids that have learning differences such as ADHD and Asperger’s Syndrome. SPB has been there since Third Grade and the school has been a life saver for him and other children.

Channel Eight here in Tulsa showed up last week to do a story on the school. Sweetie (aka Heather Bates) was interviewed. While she is talking there is video of SuperPizzaBoy doing his rarely seen academic act.

KTUL.com – Tulsa, Oklahoma – News, Weather

I’m so proud of everybody. The Head of School has provided a big dose of leadership doing the move and afterward. Of course at small private schools everybody has two or three jobs to do right.

And being the wicked witch at Halloween is one of them. Of course a smile like hers gives it away.

And here are the two stars of the show!

Do I need to get them an agent?

The Autism Revolution – Whole Life Strategies for Making Life All It Can Be.

The Autism Revolution is an extraordinary book. It is a book written by a Martha Herbert, MD, PhD a Assistant Professor of Neurology at Harvard Medical School and Karen Weintraub, a journalist. The book is extraordinary because the authors step beyond the research to talk about what they see and what they think about autism and how to treat it. They discusses the research into the causes of autism and how inconclusive they are. Yes there is a genetic component but it is much more complicated than one would think.

They gives strategies about what parents can do now, mainly the environmental and nutrition factors that can be influenced to maybe ameliorate the effects of autism. They concentrates on basic things that can do no harm such as eating a varied organic diet rich in fruits and vegetables and selected supplements. They admit freely that she is running ahead of the science in these matters.

I’m a hard edged guy when it comes to research and really prefer peer reviewed double blind crossover studies to anecdotal parent observations but you know something our kids are not science experiments and complicated genetic data doesn’t matter to most parents what they want to know is how they can help their kids now. This book gives some ideas for parents on how to help their kids and the advice given certainly won’t hurt anybody. The approach taken is that autism is something that needs to be “worked.” Something that most parents, especially the moms, understand

I give five stars out of five to this book. We got ours at the library but we are going get our own copy.

There is a companion web site to the book called AutismWhyAndHow. Lots of good information there.

Camp Grey Squirrel

Our son, SuperPizzaBoy, attended Camp Grey Squirrel this week. Camp Grey Squirrel is Oklahoma’s first resident camp for children with autism. It is located at the Methodist Boys Ranch near Gore, Oklahoma in the Cookson Hills near Lake Tenkiller. Sweetie and I wanted him to have a good time at the camp and this is the first time he had been gone from family for more than an overnight stay with friends.

We walked in the door and we both could tell from the look on his face that he had a wonderful time. I have to admit that it brought tears to both of us. He was really happy.

We could tell that the campers and staff had bonded very well. They were a happy group.

Key to the success of the camp were the buddies that each camper had. The buddies were teenagers from Four Winds Church in Conway, Arkansas. Kudo’s to Four Winds Church, and to the buddies, is what the Yogi’s have to say. Here is SPB’s buddy, J from Four Winds Church.

The buddies help the campers stay organized and on task and help them as needed. They are all volunteers overseen by adults. The buddies even paid their own expenses. They were really a blessing to all the campers and the parents of the campers. We are very thankful for J, her fellow buddies, and the adults that accompanied the buddies.

The Camp is not a religious camp per se and no religious instruction or presented. The young people from Four Winds provided a powerful witness to their faith.

Of course, we peppered SPB what he did and he was long on adjectives and short on information, “It was great.”

Fortunately, he took his camera along and even participated in a photography class. So the following are SPB’s pics.

The above is not at the camp but is a pond near the swimming pool they used.

And of course a picture of dorky old dad.

He made lots of self portraits,

He and his friend found a dead bird so they buried it. SPB told me that it was bloggable.

The swimming pool,

No modern day tweenager is ever very far away from Legos.

The camp was electronics free, thank goodness!!

They went horseback riding. He tells me that he took this pic during his photography class. I kind of like it. But I’m biased.

Not a half bad reflections shot.

This is what it is all about.

We are big fans of Camp Grey Squirrel. He is going again later this summer. If you know somebody who might be interested send them the link to the web site.

Hippotherapy

SuperPizzaBoy is doing something new. Hippotherapy, defined in this article as:

“…using the horse as a treatment tool to accomplish therapeutic objectives such as improving balance, strength and motor coordination in providing autism teaching strategies to develop motor and other skills in students with autism. Unlike therapeutic riding, therapists do not focus on teaching riding skills…”

He is taking it at the Rogers State University “Bit by Bit” program. Read more about it here.

Last night was his third class and the only the first I attended. There were about five kids of varying age in the class. Each child had a horse and was attended to by two to four volunteers. The class was led by a therapist who had the kids do various exercises and maneuvers on their horses.

Let me just say, there were lots of smiles.

I’m a fan of Bit by Bit.

Town and Country School,Tulsa

The following is a news report that aired recently about SuperPizzaBoy’s school here in Tulsa.

SPB has Asperger’s Syndrome a type of autism. The school almost literally saved SPB. He was not flourishing at Union Public Schools. His teachers labored mightily to help him as did the Special Education teachers. The Administration though was totally indifferent.

Anyway, he is a happy bright kid who loves learning and he loves the school where he is doing great. The school is expensive and we are not eligible for the scholarships discussed in the video but that is OK. I don’t know of a better use of our money than getting our child educated.

Today’s verse is from Proverbs 2:6

“The mind of the prudent acquires knowledge, And the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.” (KJV)

Check out my friend Baloney for more photographs (and videos) and text.

Ready Set Run 2010

The Autism Center of Tulsa had their annual Ready, Set, Run 5K and Fun Run today at Hunter Park here in Tulsa.

What do you think of this. I was going along the race course and came up on the Finish Line. I was thrilled, there was absolutely nobody ahead of me. Look at the photo. Can you believe it, me all alone at the Finish Line!

Of course it was an hour before the race start but still.

I did beat a bunch during the race. Below is a couple of sore losers. I kicked their butts good.

Here is the star of our team, SuperPizzaBoy and his mom Sweetie.

Another of SPB and his old man.

An action shot of SPB sprinting toward the finish.

Here is Sweetie and our friend Baloney. They were busting some moves. I think Sweetie has a leg up on Baloney on this particular photograph.

She is called Baloney because she is full of it. Check out her blog That’s Baloney. She has a major blogging mission going on. I think at last count she has brought to salvation over 140,000 people. That’s very impressive. I’m about to start calling her Baloney Graham. I try and try but about 3 people have lost their salvation reading my blog. She has setbacks also. Last year she was voted Oklahoma’s hottest mommyblogger and I personally know 7 guys that lost their salvation as a result.

The Run is the major fundraiser for ACT but almost more importantly is an annual gathering of families who are affected by autism. When they start the fun run everybody lines up. It is a very emotional site seeing how long the line is. Lots of people in northeast Oklahoma are affected by autism.

After the race SPB took full advantage of the other attractions.

There was a mascot for the new Tulsa Shock WNBA Basketball team:

And he jumped right in the middle of a bunch of cheerleaders.

Anyway, we and everybody else had a lot of fun. Thanks to everybody that contributed to the event!! We appreciate it.

Flipping Out

SuperPizzaBoy inherited his Dad’s coordination genes, which means that he doesn’t have any. He also has Asperger’s Syndrome, a form of Autism, which makes it worse. He really can’t keep track of his body in space. To help, Sweetie got him hooked up with Mr. J for tumbling lessons. SPB has been seeing Mr. J for about a year. I haven’t attended a lesson in quite some time but Wednesday night I got to see them work together. I was amazed. SPB has gotten lots stronger and better.

Mr. J is a saint. Working with kids on the autism spectrum requires lots of patience. I mean lots of patience. No, I mean lots and lots of patience. Something that I often lack. I don’t know how Mr. J does it. But whatever he does, works.

Sweetie is great at finding talented guys like Mr. J to help with our son. Way to go Sweetie, you also Mr. J, and you SuperPizzaBoy!

Logan’s Lightning Thieves and Ready…Set…Run 2010

More Info

Do you like to Run? Do you like to Walk? Do you like to help a good cause? The Autism Center of Tulsa is having their fourth annual Ready…Set…Run! 5K and Fun Run on May 8 at Hunter Park in Tulsa. The race is both a fund raiser for the Autism Center and a time for the Autism Community to get together.

You can enter the 5K or the fun run by clicking on the banner on the sidebar. If you can’t make it out that day and would like to donate as little as a dollar you can also do it by clicking on the banner. Or if you don’t feel like donating any money but want to leave a comment that is very much appreciated also. Or if you want to help volunteer on race day that would be great, we need lots of help that day and we can find you a job to do just let us know here. Either way, please join SuperPizzaBoy’s team. This year it is “Logan’s Lightning Thieves.”

If you know anybody in the northeast Oklahoma area who has a child with autism especially those who are newly diagnosed and are looking for information please refer them to the Autism Center of Tulsa. The Autism Center doesn’t provide treatment instead they are a clearinghouse of information for parents, doctors, and other health providers. They also have parent support groups, sponsor family fun nights and other events that are either free or low cost to the families. They have also done things like provide training to the Tulsa Police Department on how to deal with people with autism.

Here is some scenes from last year’s race.

The lineup for the Fun Run

SuperPizzaBoy and Sweetie. His team last year was named “Logan’s SuperPizzaPeople.” In addition to being a potential broadway star and video game champion SPB has a form of autism called Asperger’s Syndrome.

Come on out and have some fun with us this year.

Temple Grandin on HBO Films

Sweetie and I watched the HBO Film “Temple Grandin” late Saturday night. Temple Grandin is a Professor in the Agriculture School at Colorado State University. She is famous in agriculture circles for her revolutionary concepts in the design and operation of feedlots and slaughterhouses and she is an inspiration to those of us in the Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome community. She has a form of autism called Asperger’s Syndrome. Asperger’s Syndrome is characterized by problems relating to people but goes way down deep into the inner core of people and how they think. Dr. Grandin’s unique way of thinking led her to develop much more humane ways of handling cattle. Dr. Grandin was able to overcome her social difficulties to achieve greatness. Her web site is here.

Claire Danes plays Temple Grandin in the movie. The movie does a great job trying to show how strange, frightening, and alienating the world is to a person with autism on the one hand and how strange and off putting an autistic person’s behavior and affect is to others. The movies also shows how an autistic persons’s different way of thinking and visualizing problems can come up with unique solutions to various problems.

The movie also shows how just a few people, teachers, coworkers, and friends, who can see through what’s on the surface to the core beneath and provide support and encouragement can make a huge difference. Temple Grandin’s story is an inspiration and hope for all us parents of children who are afflicted with autism.

I give the movie four stars out of four.

Parallel Play: Growing Up with Undiagnosed Asperger’s by Tim Page

Those of us who are parents of children who have Asperger’s Syndrome, a variant of autism, have lots of worries. We worry about their social life and fret about their friendships. We worry about their education (boy do worry about their education!) We worry about the various therapies that are available and whether we have made the right choices. Parents of children who have special needs of any type worry a lot. And that’s on top of all the normal worries that any parent has about their children.

Most of all we worry about how they are going to make their way in the world once we are gone. We want them to be financially secure, fulfilled in their work, and happy. We worry about what they are going to do.

We hear that various historical figures may have had Asperger’s Syndrome like Ludwig van Beethoven, Albert Einstein, Thomas Jefferson, and Jonathan Swift. That lifts us up but how does fascination with Bakugan and Sponge Bob Square Pants translate into being the next Albert Einstein? Most of us don’t expect Einstein we just want them to have a job and be self supporting. A spouse would be great, kids would be wonderful.

Some of us parents hunger for stories of those that have made their way. Tim Page is one of those guys. He is in his mid 50’s and he didn’t get diagnosed until a few years ago. Tim is a Pulitzer Prize winning music critic. He has written a book that talks about his life from early childhood until he got out of college.

He had it kind of rough. He had no social skills or instincts at all. He never felt connected to his peers or his family. He didn’t do that well in school in fact he got thrown out of one. He made it though. It wasn’t pretty. He consumed lots of acohol, smoked dope, dropped acid but he still made it. He had an intense interest in music.

He started by playing his parents records over and over and learning all about them. And it went from there. He also made home made films as a child. He had a creative spark and drive and he never gave up.

This book is great. It is not a “pretty” story about how overcame his disability by hard work and help from teachers, pastors, sunday school classes, the Bible, boy scouts, sports, and a paper route. It is about a bewildered kid trying to figure out why he didn’t fit in and who had a passion for music and pursued it. He had loving but also bewildered parents. He had various adults take an interest in him but Tim Page made it on his own.

How much better can we do now that we know how to diagnose and treat youngsgters with Asperger’s Syndrome? A bunch I hope.

This is a great book. If you want to read the story of somebody who has Asperger’s Syndrome this is good. He doesn’t provide any great insights into therapies or advance any theories he just tells his story. The book is well written and compelling. It is short. I read it in two days. Sweetie is reading it now.

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