The Project

I have a new project. I would like to interview 30 other families who have a child with Autism (and who are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints) on attending church and church activities and how their Ward has been and could be a strength to them. Then, I would like to write a book about it. Nothing too thick; just a quick read a Bishop, Young Womans Leader, Young Mens Leader, or Primary Presidency could find time to read. As Autism is becoming more and more common, I think it's about time there was material for wards and families in the church. If there is someone you know who would be willing to answer a questionaire (16 questions) please give them my e-mail address. Thanks, and wish me luck.
JBLAnderson@gmail.com

She can read! Kind of.

Yesterday we discovered that Abby has memorized how to "read" certain words. Like when we wrote pig, fox, dog, cat, owl, and about a dozen other words on her magna doodle she could read them. Cool! Pretty good for a four year old.

My hunnybee

When Abby comes upon another kid I never know what to expect. In the past she would usually say, "Bye Bye Baby!" or "Bye Bye Child" repetitively until they would leave. In the past week she has come across two girls that she as doted on and been so affectionate to. The first was Cielo my new niece who Abby tried to kiss and then on Sunday a little girl visiting our ward from Utah who had a cast. It has melted my heart to see her so loving. So she's my little honeybee; you never know if you're going to get the stinger or the honey.

Just what I've been waiting for.

Yesterday I got a special surprise. Abigail came up to me at the end of the day and said, "I lav foo." Let me interpret for you, "I love you." Then she hugged me. I was so happy I wanted to laugh and cry. It was spontaneous and so sweet. Wow, after these four years of me telling her that I love her, she tells me. Good day.

Here she is!

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Panic must be the worst feeling

Abigail recently figured out how to unlock the front door. So naturally I thought I would add another lock much higher on the door that she couldn't reach. The problem is, the door is hollow so the screw won't catch and the panel that the other piece of the lock needs to be screwed into is metal. So, that plan did not work. We did a temporary fix: we put a 55 lb weight in front of the door so she couldn't get out. Well, while Mom was cooking dinner I noticed that Abby was being quiet. Too quiet! I don't know how but she had moved the weight and gotten outside. I panicked. We have a pool (with a fence around it) and many many many acres of forest behind us with a pond. The dangers to her were unlimited. I panicked running down the street calling her name. What a terrible feeling! Finally in the backyard I hear a "No". It was her! She had crawled all the way under our very large deck and was playing in the mud. I have never felt so happy hearing someone tell me "no" in my life. So now we have 110 lbs. in front of the door.
I wish we could sell our house and have a small townhouse built especially to suit Abby's needs full of safety features. But the way the market is, it would ruin us financially to sell and we don't need any more stress in our lives right now.

I have thought that lately Sacrament meeting has been going well with Abby. She has at least been able to sit through the whole meeting. The thing is, she is four and just starting to talk. She gets so excited when she recognizes something she can label. So, she yells it out. Plus, she doesn't understand the concept of, "Be quiet!" This makes for an irreverent Abby. The combined Sunday School lesson today was on Reverence and my husband who does not get offended easily felt that some of the comments by some of the older people might have been directed at Abby's behavior. (I was in nursery so I wasn't there.) He felt hurt and a bit unwelcome.
From earlier posts you will read that I considered putting Abby in daycare on Sundays. But a good brother in our ward reminded me in his testimony that the gospel of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is about families. It is about bringing people unto Christ, even my Abby.