In His Own Words

This week has been full of interesting insight and hilarious statements from Red.  In one moment it seems like he took a maturity pill and has suddenly grown up.  And then...I dunno...maybe it was a placebo and he goes back to being...well...Red.

Actually Ready Early for School On Monday 

I'm going to keep this simple and just share the week via his infamous quotes, Facebook statuses and text messages to me...his biggest fan, confidant and mom...

On our way to therapy on Monday...quote:

"I am trying to be less selfish, help as many people as I can...and not be a douchebag." 

"Sometimes, when I try to help (insert name here)...I feel really frustrated because she acts like she doesn't want my help.  She won't listen...like she knows everything, but she doesn't.  I think this will be what it's like to be a father." 

Later, the subject changes.  He is looking up something on google and apparently, something shall we say, unexpected pops up.  I had to share this quote...

"You know mom.  I can be on google images...put in darn near anything...and porn pops up.  I mean...I can put in DragonBall Z under google images and there's porn! Who ever created porn is a prick!" 

As a mother I know I should not be laughing, especially with the language and all...but I thought this was hilarious.  I love that Aspie honesty.

Later that night before bed he says,

"You know mom...I really had a good time with you and Blue today.  It may not always seem like it but...I really love you." 

Just wow....

Tuesday afternoon Facebook status:

"Had a really awesome day!!! :) I job trained two students with special needs today. I'm very proud of doing that. My job coaches are working on getting me a job at a hotel. God has blessed me a lot this school year!! Thank you God for everything!!! :)

His job coach told him he was doing a really good job.  She also made the mistake of telling him there was a 90% chance that he would get a job at this hotel.  He went to the site on Wednesday, opened mouth and inserted foot.

While vacuuming in front of the prospective employer he says and I quote:

"When it comes to certain things...I move kind of slow." 

On the way back to school he and job coach get into it.  She tells him he made the wrong impression.  You never tell an employer you work slowly.  He becomes angry.  She tells him he may have blown it.  So basically, he has gone from an extreme high to this low... and of course he blames the Job-Coach.  When they get back to campus he starts yelling, door slamming, fist banging, etc.

I have to say...he did show some restraint.  At least he waited until they got back to the classroom to show his anger.  However,  as a consequence...he gets an office referral and ends up getting lunch detention the following day.  Personally, I think the job coach should have gotten detention too!  She should never have opened her mouth to tell him that the job was 90% in the bag in the first place.

He comes home from school...quote:

"I don't need those freaking job coaches!  I don't need special education!  And I'm not going to any freakin' detention!" 

I told him not to worry, if for some reason this door closes it just means that a better one will open.  Perhaps this is not the job for him.  He watched a little Sponge Bob to lighten his mood.  Later he says, to me...

"I just want to be normal.  I don't understand why I have to get so angry.  Other people aren't like this.  I'm tired of being this way and I don't know what else to do when I'm angry."

I remind him of how far he has come in a year's time.  That his anger does not take as long to get through.  He recovers quickly.  He apologizes.  He is not actually cursing teachers out.  That's progress... and he will continue to progress as he matures.  He will have to remember his cool off strategies.

After our conversation  he writes this Facebook quote...

"I had a really rough day but I'm going to youth tonight and having fun with my church friends :)" 

The following morning however we were back to....

"I'm not going to any freaking detention today!"

Around 11 a.m. he starts a text conversation with me.  He is basically processing his feelings...which is great self-advocacy...

"Mom don't be surprised if you get a call from Mr. B. today. I don't care what Mr. T. says, I'm not going to D-hall." 
"Don't make it worse for yourself son.  If you don't go to D-hall the consequences will only get bigger. Remember your goal.  You want a job. People are looking at your actions to determine if you are ready for that." 
"I hate Mr. B and Mr. T.  I want to get out of this program.  I just want to be normal."
"I'm sorry that you're upset.   Talk to God...don't make things worse for yourself."
"Why can't I be normal like S.?" (his friend who is also on the spectrum)
"S - told you last night he gets angry too. Everyone gets angry at some point." 
"Not like me."
"Son ...this is an opportunity to be mature and make the right choice." 

He did.  He went to D-hall and shortly thereafter posted this on Facebook...

"The most sucessful people are the ones that have failed the most. We all make mistakes because we're all human. God didn't make us perfect. Only Jesus was perfect. Learn from your mistakes and try to do better in life. Don't give up!!"!

In his own words....or maybe someone else's... probably Mr. B., whom he "hates!" But at least these words resonated with him enough to share with his friends on Facebook.

In My own words....

Today, I had a book review published by Little Pickle Press.  The book is about a day in the life of an elementary school aged boy on the spectrum.  Check it out here:

  "Spaghetti is NOT a Finger Food and Other Life Lessons"