We had a cousin in Manila who was a special child. He made it to adulthood but we hardly saw him. He was the third of eight children. (I have to mention that I do admire my aunt, who in spite being widowed at a young age and having to raise her children practically all by herself, always managed to have a sunny disposition.)
Another aunt was actively involved in the Cribs Foundation. One of the activities involved providing temporary foster homes for abandoned babies until they got adopted. My aunt took in baby after baby after baby until a young baby girl got sent her way. This was about the same time GI was born. We expected to see our aunt with a different baby after a few months, but even after a year, the baby still hadn't been selected for adoption. Eventually, it was determined that the baby had physical and mental developmental problems and it was unlikely that she would get adopted. My aunt took her in permanently.
We have watched her grow up. She has a carer with her most of the time. She needs help when she does some things. She needs a brace to help her walk straight. She is unable to speak very clearly. But she seems perfectly happy in her own little world at times. I remember she enjoyed her swim at the pool at Cebu Avenue during one of the times my aunt came over to visit and brought her along.
When we arrived in Australia, I found out that relations and friends here had autistic children, too. I marvel at the strength and character of the parents and families of these children. It is not a walk in the park. It is difficult to understand children to start with, so one can only imagine how much harder it is to understand autistic children.
I am in constant interaction with ITL (It's Too Late) Boy. I get to see him on Saturday nights when we have dinner at their home. His parents were our family's Australia pioneers. ITL Boy arrived here as a baby. After a couple of years, he showed signs of delayed development and he was eventually diagnosed with autism. He understands simple commands and he can do many things by himself. He can read. He can write. He can count. He can type selected words in the computer in order to watch some youtube video or another. He is able to express himself to a certain extent, especially when he wants chocolates, lollies or snacks. He can be quite persistent in asking when he wants to listen to Walk on By or It's Too Late or some other favourite song. He loves to eat. When the food calls for barbecue sauce or lechon sauce, he would put a mini-dallop of sauce on each spoonful, direct from the bottle, and feed himself. (And when he really likes the food, he savours each mouthful complete with smiling action and sounds. Mmmmm!!!!) He has daily meds and he follows many routines. He likes to look at his reflection on the glass door, on the framed pictures and even on the piano.
I was told that when he was younger, there were words that triggered negative reactions in him. The word "NO" was among them so everyone him had to be conscious of the words they used when ITL Boy was around. I think he has outgrown that (at least I hope he has because I am sure I have said 'no' in front of him on more than one occasion) but there are still many times that he rocks back and forth, or bangs his hands against his head, or flails his arms around randomly, or has mild tantrums.
He is really a sweet boy (a young man, actually, at 22) and I love it when he takes my extended hand, grasps it tightly (sometimes even if it is a bit too tightly) only to give it a sniff.
I am in constant interaction with ITL (It's Too Late) Boy. I get to see him on Saturday nights when we have dinner at their home. His parents were our family's Australia pioneers. ITL Boy arrived here as a baby. After a couple of years, he showed signs of delayed development and he was eventually diagnosed with autism. He understands simple commands and he can do many things by himself. He can read. He can write. He can count. He can type selected words in the computer in order to watch some youtube video or another. He is able to express himself to a certain extent, especially when he wants chocolates, lollies or snacks. He can be quite persistent in asking when he wants to listen to Walk on By or It's Too Late or some other favourite song. He loves to eat. When the food calls for barbecue sauce or lechon sauce, he would put a mini-dallop of sauce on each spoonful, direct from the bottle, and feed himself. (And when he really likes the food, he savours each mouthful complete with smiling action and sounds. Mmmmm!!!!) He has daily meds and he follows many routines. He likes to look at his reflection on the glass door, on the framed pictures and even on the piano.
I was told that when he was younger, there were words that triggered negative reactions in him. The word "NO" was among them so everyone him had to be conscious of the words they used when ITL Boy was around. I think he has outgrown that (at least I hope he has because I am sure I have said 'no' in front of him on more than one occasion) but there are still many times that he rocks back and forth, or bangs his hands against his head, or flails his arms around randomly, or has mild tantrums.
He is really a sweet boy (a young man, actually, at 22) and I love it when he takes my extended hand, grasps it tightly (sometimes even if it is a bit too tightly) only to give it a sniff.
Last night at the dinner table, they showed me this youtube video which somehow gave some insight into their unique, often isolated, secret world.
