One of the most frustrating things about autism is the lack of communication. I can't tell Toby stuff as he doesn't comprehend language. I couldn't tell him that he was going to school, how long he'd be there and that I'd be missing him every second that he was gone. Toby is at distance from the world we know - this picture pretty much sums it up
Having said that he is coping very well with starting school this week. He's been a little blotchy around the eyes on his arrival home each afternoon (a sure sign of tears during the day) and he was bitten by one of the other children but on the whole he's pretty relaxed considering how monumentally upended his secure little world has been.
Toby & I do have an wonderful non-verbal language of our own involving touch, hugs, kisses and giggles. He gives big cuddles and fat, wet kisses as soon as he gets home and snuggles into my lap with a contentment that clearly communicates he's pleased to see me. He can communicate his basic needs through PECS where he brings a picture of the thing he wants to me. As you can imagine though this is pretty limited (mostly to food and toys) but I hope as he grows he'll be able to expand his vocabulary and communicate more about how he feels, maybe one day he may even learn to speak. For now I'm just happy that he's managed the big step of starting school so well. The old chestnut 'Live one day at a time' is the motto in our house.
on a lighter note:
I love this time of year as it heralds the arrival of lots of fat glossy mail order catalogues. I am addicted - much to Huw's disgust as he spends 10 mins searching through the stacks for his mail. There are so many beautiful things out there and I like to browse and pick out what I'd buy if money were no object. Sometimes I actually order stuff!! In fact I have just treated myself to a beautiful new knitting bag
(courtesy of Cath Kidston)
and a wonderful pair of gardening shoes from the fabulous Plantstuff.
Am now off to enjoying perusing the selection of catalogues that arrived today.
