Sunday, March 14, 2010

My little chatterbox

It's been six months since I updated my blog. Things have changed so much that I could not believe it has only been six months. All I could say is that everything turned out the way we wanted it to. Looking back, same time last year, I have no idea what I wanted with my life. All I know is that I wanted Alex to go to a school that can help him and that I could have a decent conversation with him.

My wishes came true and it's been positive all the way but sometimes a bit too much to handle. I know .... you must be thinking, what is there to complain when everything is going your way? Well, things could get too much when you have none for such a long time.

Alex has been in Addington School for nearly two terms. I have been ferrying him to and from school everyday, tiring for sure but it's all worth it. Alex is now very independent, we noticed the change since week one in Addington. He prefers to feed himself (he is doing a great job too), sometimes dress himself, go to toilet without help and clean up after a meal (took dishes to sink ... little did we know then but now we sussed it out that he wanted to play with the tap - LOL).

His speech has improved tremendously and he could not stop talking and singing. Still not very clear but we could make out what he wanted to say. He is also very patient with us as when we do not understand what he tried to say, he will repeat a few times and when we still don't get it, he will find other ways to tell us what he wanted to say. Our son is really patient (in this instance but not others) and intelligent. For a child with autism, he is extraordinary. We are just so proud of him!

Initially, it was easier but his vocabulary kept increasing and it's very hard to gauge what he wanted to say at times. His latest obsession is motorway, holidays, hotel, airport, airplane and did I mentioned hotel and hotel and hotel?

Last week, Alex kept saying he didn't want to go to school because he wanted to go to a different airport and hotel. I told him that if he wants to go to different airport and hotels, he must go to school so that he can learn to be a pilot when he grows up. He said "Mummy, I don't want to be a pilot, I'm just a little boy" I could not stop laughing but in my heart, it was the sweetest thing I've ever heard and boy, am I proud of him. He constantly comes up with funny anecdotes and makes us laugh.

We enjoyed our son so much but to a point when it gets too much. He can't grasp the concept of indoor voice and stop talking. When he's awake, I wished he would go to bed soon but when he is asleep, I missed him and his funny moments.

Today is Mothering Sunday in United Kingdom. Jem is at work and I took Alex to the cinema to watch Alvin and the Chipmunks - the Squeakquel and then lunch at an Italian. For the first time in six years, I could finally have a decent conversation with my son in a restaurant. He was so good I could not believe my luck.

When we walked in, he said it's too noisy and I almost turn round and walk out but I thought I'll try and if he thinks it's too much to handle we can always leave. He proved me wrong and he was just fine, I am so glad we took him to places and we are starting to reap the rewards.

He did some colouring and even made fun of me several times, we talked a bit and ate and when he had enough of the "sensory overload", he asked to go home.

This is the best Mother's Day I've ever had.