State: Maine
Country: USA
Member since: Jan 23, 2007
Last logged in: Mar 16, 2010
My name is Shannon and I have a great husband and 2 amazing kids.
My oldest, Wynn, age 14, has autism and still struggles, after all these years of treatments and therapies, with anxiety and aggression. At his best, he is funny, intuitive and sensitive.
My daughter, 13 year old Haley, is strong and independent, creative and musical. She has been a shining example for Wynn and taught him many of his first words and skills by sheer example.
Steve is my husband of 20 years and partner in this endeavor to be a family in this crazy world of autism. Out of a need we had to have better communication with Wynn's team members, he created a web application called iAbida.com. It has been a project from his heart, and he makes it available to all families, around the globe, for free.
And me? In spite of being a terrible klutz, I have learned the fine art of juggling....motherhood, advocacy, household management and working from home. Foggyrock is my latest project--to fulfill my own need to be associated with other fantastic folks, like you, who I knew were out there.....Thank you for allowing me into your life through this community.
Favorite Compositions (6)
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By shannonj on 01.01.70
Comments(13)
shannonj's Compositions
by shannonj on 10.25.07 - public - 1827 visits
My son Wynn has autism. As a result, his social skills are stunted. Neverless, he still longs for friendship and interaction even though he rarely knows how to properly initiate conversation. When he was 7 or 8, he went through a phase where he would approach strangers with survey-type questions: "Excuse me, Sir. Are you married or are you happy?" or "Excuse me, Lady. Have you always been so old?" or, my personal favorite, "Excuse me, girl. How did you grow up to be a fat woman?" As you can imagine, he didn't make many friends for either one of us, and I spent alot of time apologizing and embarrassed (although his questions were actually quite relevent).
Then there was also the phase when he was totally fascinated with any man with facial hair. In his attempt to interact with his subject of interest, he approached each man in need of a shave with the phrase, "My mom really likes your beard." And then he would shove me and my glowing red face in the direction of his new acquaintence. Thanks to Wynn, I have flirted with a lot of five o'clock shadows in my time.....
Currently, at age 12, Wynn has become much more direct in his social initiations. He is methodical and to the point as he follows this simple two-step formula: first give compliment, then ask a short, personal question. More specifically, he bluntly says, "I like you. Why are you so weird?". No matter your age, color or size, he uses the same formula.."I like you. Why are you so weird?"....It is amazing how effective such an approach has proven to be. I have watched countless people be totally taken off guard and become completely real in just a matter of seconds.....Usually, the individual of interest laughs first and then proceeds to explain their particular "weirdness". It's humbling to be witness to such confessions but it is also heartwarming to see the walls come down and the bonding begin. And now, my son with autism has many, many friends. I think he may be on to something.
Life should be so simple.
Comments(13)
PebblePolisher
Posted on Fri, 26 Jun 2009
I just came across this post and it made me laugh at 2:15 am in the morning. :) Skilynn loves numbers and she will walk up to strangers and if they have writing on their shirt of any kind she will attempt to trace it with her finger while asking, "what's that?" She also has this thing about "Big Hair" and IF she should cross somebody with "Big Hair" then she will point to them while saying very loudly, "Oun't like that hair. . .I 'ont it go away!" She keeps me laughing. :)
smiles
Posted on Thu, 23 Apr 2009
Ladies- even though I get teary to think of the future for my 5 year old. I find hope in all your stories! Love to hear them! Keep them coming.. My daughter will be friends with anyone with a wagon and with any one that loves icecream, cookies, and Dora! Shannnon have you ever had a womens retreat of ladies social? I think it would be great to get together! Hugs
mommalysa
Posted on Fri, 30 Jan 2009
HaHa...my son used to go up to random people and hug them and say "I love you". If they didn't respond he would turn around and hollar it at them till he got a response. He actually had a meltdown in a clothing store one day because a lady refused to kiss him!!! She thought it was creapy but it just made me love him more:) He was 3 when he did it so it was still cute then!
autti34
Posted on Wed, 24 Sep 2008
lmao your son must be hf at his age i didnt notice people much let alone to be able to point out someone ,but nt kids do that to .like when i was on chrutches sometimes a kid would say why you on crutches ,.the mom would be embareesd ,i always ewxplain why i was on then an say it no big deal that i hurt myself .but will be better soon
Sarah
Posted on Sat, 5 Jul 2008
Robert my 13 year old really wants friends so bad, that when his sister is on the phone, he actually picks up the other phone and will start talking about HIS things. Unfortunately, it is not always taken too well. Especially, because Robert had such a horrible school year, he was "re-evaluated" and had no IEP (until the end of this school year when they re-instated it) he became a victim of bullying. So, he now uses the words that the bullies used on him. His anger and frustrations are extremely bad. I have him going to skills training, and seeing the psychiatrist (though I have to tell you a year ago he was doing so well, honor roll student, he had a skills trainer at school, was socially doing well) and one school here in TN and they wiped out all that work. He finished the school year off with D, C, B, B and of course I pulled him out in April. But yes, all of our kids want friends so much and if we could educate the educators at school, children, our children would be understood so much better. But to do that the EDUCATORS would have to learn to understand FIRST!!!
AIsForAutism
Posted on Fri, 13 Jun 2008
That's wonderful Shannon! You should write a book about all this stuff. It's really endearing!
Sassifrassilassi
Posted on Thu, 12 Jun 2008
"Are you married or are you happy?" Now that really made me laugh. Very smart kid! I have a feeling he knows more about marriage than most kids his age! What a question!
jacksmom
Posted on Thu, 1 Nov 2007
Shannon you always have the funniest stories! Jack only talks to people if they have a jogging stroller that he wants. Then he runs up to them and says "Hi! Hi!" and tries to steal their stroller and baby.
Gisele
Posted on Tue, 30 Oct 2007
Dear Shannon, I really enjoyed your story ! Its great ! Thanks, Gisele
HannahPaige2
Posted on Mon, 29 Oct 2007
That was so hilarious! My daughter loves men with facial hair, also!
Mom4Autism
Posted on Mon, 29 Oct 2007
Shannon thank you for the laughs. I can so relate. My son is able to communicate very well, but sometimes his 'autism's' come through. Recently he was introduced to a friend of mine and quickly asked her "Are you Republican, if you are you cannot get into this car." He is very upset with the fact that troops are dying. Anyhow, thanks again for the laughs.
