Mom's Night Out

Got this in my email today and thought it might be a good option for some of our families. Spread the word!

"I just wanted to remind everyone that tonight is the night that Autism Journeys begins it's FREE "Mom's Night Out" for the Autism Community in UTAH!

Every Mom is Welcome!

Once a month (3rd Wednesday) we will support Mom's with children with ASD in having fun and building friendships with others that can understand their experience and relate.

Hopefully, we can encourage Mom's to take a break and leave the kids home with Dad for just one night!

They deserve it!!

For more information, check out our website, autismjourneys.net or call me at 801 766 8681 ext. 107.

Kindest Wishes,

Rachelle

Early Childhood Director

Autism Journeys"

DIR Floortime You Tube Channel

LOOK what I found!!! VERY cool...

http://www.youtube.com/dirfloortime

Stanley Greenspan and CNN

http://edition.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/05/10/stanley.greenspan.autism/

A Stinging Realization

*The following story was shared with us by a parent. With permission, we share it here. We feel it is a beautiful example of the importance of listening to and honoring the ideas of our kiddos, and slowing down so as to not miss the beauty of their developing minds and emotion system. Enjoy!
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It was late in the afternoon on Mother's Day and I had happily accepted my husband and son's offer to take some time to relax and read.  I was deep into my book when I heard a mumbled conversation grow louder and clearer.

"What should we do?" " I know, I have an idea."  I could hear some noises in the kitchen and then I heard my husband describe to my son how he intended to capture the yellow jacket, that had somehow gotten into our living room, with a cooking pot and cover it with a book so that he could proceed to let it go outside.  A few silent seconds went by and then I heard screaming.

"No."  "Why did you kill him?" "I love all animals even the ones with stingers and I will never ever ever forgive you."  My husband had accidently put the book down over the yellow jacket and its broken body lay squirming in the pot.  "I will never forgive you - I love all animals..."

Because my son processes the goings-on around him verbally, he continued to scream out these words over and over.

At this point I had already been present for a few minutes and my son started to regulate enough to go on. In a sweet sobbing voice he said: "But you didn't even listen to my idea."  In unison, my husband and I asked him what his idea was and what he shared was one of the most beautiful ideas I've ever heard.

"My idea was to pick a flower so that the bee would land on it because bees like nectar."

So often - in situations that aren't nearly as intense - we as adults problem-solve in such an efficient manner that we don't even take time to listen to our children's ideas.

Later, my son started to talk about an ant that he too had killed just the day before.  "My finger was too heavy and it died."  He said that later he had said a little prayer for the ant.  As he processed his own guilt for having squished the tiny ant, he was able to apply these feelings to the guilt my husband felt.  And then it hit me, my son was beginning to demonstrate "Theory of Mind," or the ability to begin to apply his own feelings to another person, to empathize.

And so, I too, will say a little prayer for the yellow jacket that lost its life on Mother's Day - and, in honor of that life, I will try to keep in mind that sometimes the simple beauty of a flower can not only preserve, but change a life.