The Journey, Home From Autism

My last post was on June 19, 2009…
Since then I finished the final edits for my newest book: The Journey, Home From Autism; received numerous reviews, spoke to three groups about Autism, traveled with my family through Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico and worked with my boys to complete several wonderful crafts! Whew!

The Journey…
It seems, at times, that we’ve actually reached our destination and I find myself wanting to relax and celebrate our accomplishments. When I think back to the two and one-half years when Tanner spoke only in a strange language he later called “Clapish” and he acted very strangely I remember being confused and concerned.

Now that Tanner is not only talking (sometimes too much), acting (mostly) appropriately and progressing (usually) well I find myself at times wondering if he is “there” and if he’s “recovered” – and IF that is at all possible…

THEN – reality check – I remind myself that Autism isn’t something that my son HAS… Autism is something that my son IS… and that’s (mostly) okay. It’s something, as a parent, I have learned to understand, accept and “deal with.” It isn’t, wasn’t and never will be what I would have wished for my son but I try to look at the magical brilliance to the point that I am not focusing on what “could have been.” Focusing on where he IS going is a brighter journey~

Home From Autism…
Autism doesn’t have to control my son and doesn’t have to dictate how we live our lives. Yes, of course, there are unavoidable circumstances – Tanner is on a GF / CF diet (yikes – I need to share MORE recipes!!) – and he has “issues” with sensory overload and social skills so we try to avoid situations where he will be exposed to too many people, too much noise and / or too much light. That takes some planning but usually it isn’t too difficult.

Tanner will be ten on August 10th. Oliver just turned eight. WOW. They are growing up right in front of me! Tanner is writing his 5th book and Oliver has written two books of his own (not to be outdone by his older brother!). Tanner has the plans for a movie developing daily and the things I’m learning from them is beyond anything I could have imagined! IF anyone has suggestions / connections on how Tanner’s books and (real) movie can be developed I would LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to hear from you! To be perfectly honest, I believe Tanner’s movie has the potential to be bigger than Star Wars.

We could have lost Tanner to Autism if we would have given up on him; if we would have given him mind-altering drugs; if we would have ever quit trying. We never quit; he never quit and neither should YOU!

Tanner is coming home from Autism because he is learning to grow within this own world. When he takes us into his world, the magic is like none that you will ever experience anywhere else! Give yourself a chance to learn from someone with Autism and you will never be the same. The best part: Neither Will They! The world we help to change could be our own!

I welcome your thoughts, questions and comments and I invite you to add me as a friend on Facebook right here: http://www.facebook.com/Rhonda.Spellman

You are also invited to join my group, Autism Awareness, (also on Facebook) right here:http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=44815179694&ref=ts

Most Sincerely Yours,
Rhonda Spellman