7 year old with Autism has his first book signing!

Can I just say that I am proud parent of an incredible child, who has incredible potential, with thoughts and talents that make me stand in awe daily...oh yeah, and he just happens to have Autism.

This past week I was honored to stand beside him at his first book signing a Young Author Night. It was amazing to watch him share about his book to kids and people who came up...with the occassional running around the gym with friends.

Just wanted to share our joy with you all!

About the Author of Jelly Pirates
Joshua is 7 years old and has Autism. He was diagnosed when he was 2 years old and we were told they were not sure he would ever talk. Our son lived in his own world, which seemed to trap him where he would spend hours screaming and banging his head. After his diagnosis he began speech therapy and occupational therapy as well as early intervention and eventually mainstreamed preschool where he had a very involved teacher.

Even though he could not talk, but only babble at the time he entered preschool, his teacher always encouraged him to participate.

Joshua wrote Jelly Pirates when he was six. The story was inspired by the Smuckers Jelly packets that sat on the table in the Kaffee Haus, a local restaurant in Wooster, Ohio. We sat and marveled as he voiced and acted out the story that lay within his mind. I quickly pulled out my pen and paper and wrote down the words he spoke, which are now housed between the covers of his book, Jelly Pirates. Since that day, Joshua’s imagination and expression of stories continues to grow and he is excited to write another book in the future which he has already titled: Jelly Pirates and Friends.

As parents we are told our children on the spectrum of Autism will have difficulty with expression of emotion and words. We have found that to be true, yet when not pressured and allowed to enter their world and when they invite you in…it is amazing what you will find.
Joshua hopes you like his book. We want you to know that any proceeds that he earns from sharing his world with you will be used to help with his continued therapy, and a portion will be placed in college fund as he has a desire to go to college.

In the future look for Joshua’s new stories:
The Adventures of Joshua & Tenison
The Gas Dinosaur
Jelly Pirates and Friends

Joshua is the son of Matt & Angel Thompson. Founders of OASIS (Organization for Autism Spectrum Information and Support.)

NT's can learn social behaviors from kids with ASD

Our son has Autism....I know, most of you know that.
As parents of a special needs child, there are things that you never think you will ever hear and when you do....you are totally blown away, humbled and PROUD of your child. Many of you have heard us praise God for every thing Joshua has accomplished and for the things that we know he will.

• 
  Learning to communicate, talk when they were not sure he would be able to.


• Learning to ride a bike on his own.


• Becoming STUDENT of the Month at his school.


• Publishing his first book.....
• And then....this Christmas hearing the words that WE as parents never thought we would ever here....

As we sat with our friends and their child...who is an incredible, precious and loving little girl and a very typical 3 year old, (totally love it); we heard the words....."Try and be like Joshua and Faith."

Matt and I looked over at our friends and chuckled saying, "We never thought we would hear those words...that someone would encourage their child to be like Joshua." (We know he's great!)

This just proves that just because a child has a disability...it DOES NOT define them; and, that Neurotypicals can also learn and gleanlife skills from our kiddos.

Thank you, Lord for how you work in our kids lives....
It's true, we NT's can also learn appropriate social behavior from our kids on the spectrum.

Matt & Angel Thompson/Founders, OASIS

That makes me just like the other kids!

Our son, Michael, talks pretty much all day long...and i listen to him with great interest in his views on the world, his siblings and just life in general...
At school last week for the first time my son had to pull a card...which means he got reprimanded by his teacher for some type of misbehavior ie: talking, horsing around...When I picked him up at school he got into our car...i asked him about his day like i always do...on this day he said he had to pull a card...normally he would be very upset about this...but on this day he told me smiling and said "Mom, that makes me just like the other kids". I laughed and then got tears in my eyes...this made him feel like the other kids in a good way.

Just a note: He is in second grade at Melrose Elementary School. Melrose has gone out of their way to work with Michael both academically and socially. The principal, teachers and support staff are always looking for ways to understand him. On their own time...they read and research Aspergers and work together frequently discussing Michael and his needs. Their correspondence with us is tremendous and they are truly as happy as we are when he over comes a hurdle like this one. We shared this with his teachers at conferences in which they laughed and truly loved this story!

Sincerely,
Bob and Tracy Kruse

“All the Way Across to China”

My experience with Autism has taught me that figurative speech is very hard for Nicholas to understand. He doesn’t really follow things like “It’s raining cats and dogs”, or “I feel under the weather today”. He is a visual thinker, so he probably sees actual cats and dogs falling from the sky, or someone under a thunderstorm. For him, “It is really raining a lot today”, or “I am sick” would be better ways to express those situations.

My two “neurotypical” children, however, use figurative speech easily. My son Alec, 8, started a routine at bedtime in order to express “how much” he loves me. He would tell me, “I love you, Mom”, and I would tell him “I love you more!” and he and he would think about that, then say, “I love you this much” and stretch his arms out as far as they could go. Then I would stretch MY arms out, and say, “ I love you this much times 10”. One night Alec was having trouble finding an amount high enough, so he said, “Mom, you know how many stars there are in the sky? Well I love you all that much and then triple that.” Amazed by his ability to think in such terms, I laughed and said “Wow! Triple stars! I’m not sure I can beat that!” So ever since, Alec has said “I love you triple stars”. It is such a sweet thing to hear coming out of his mouth. I hope he never stops saying it.

Kaitlyn is younger but she is not one to be outdone. She watched all this and came up with her own cosmic measurement of love, and simply tells me “I love you outer space”. This also makes me laugh out loud and she likes to tell me this not just at bedtime, but often, which often draws quizzical expressions from people when they hear her say it.

Nick, however, has difficulty thinking in such a way. He would watch all of this from his bed, and mostly he would interject with reminders of things he wants. “Mom, you need to buy me a guitar”. “Mom, I want you to buy me a Cleveland Browns uniform”. “Mom, you need to get me a train and build a train track”. It was a continuation of the list of nearly a thousand things he recites to me all day, every day. And my response was always the same, “Ok, Nick, we will try to get the things you want the most. Goodnight, Nick.” To which he would just say “Goodnight”. “I love you, Nick”. “Love you too, Mom”. “How bout a good night kiss, Nick?” And of course he would give me a kiss. Then “How bout a hug, Nick?” Which was followed by a hug. Children with autism are often uncomfortable showing affection, and Nick is really no exception. He has his moments where he will spontaneously hug me, but they are usually at times when it is not expected, like when I am cooking dinner. He can surprise me with a hug which involves his whole body, and he literally climbs up my body with his arms anchored around my neck. Since he is nearly 5 feet tall it can be a painful experience. But his expressions of love are not taken for granted by me, and I will drop what I am doing and return his hug.

So these “figurative” expressions of how much love we have for each other went largely unnoticed by Nick, and he never offered up his own comparison. Until the other day. He surprised me! I was talking to him on the phone while I was away for a week on vacation and he was staying with his dad. We had a conversation which existed mostly of Nick telling me (again) what I needed to buy for him while I was away. Right at the end of the call, Nick said, “Bye, Mom, I love you all the way across to China”. I laughed out loud and said “Wow, Nick! All the way to China? That is a lot of love”. And I could tell by the tone of his voice that he was pleased.

Moments in time...that is one that will be forever frozen within me. Little snapshots of progress made for Nick in this journey of autism. It seems that recently I have been seeing more and more of them, which fills me with hope for his future. I recently read “Born on a Blue Day” by Daniel Tammet, an adult with Aspergers syndrome with savant abilities. The book was very uplifting to me, as it explained from real experience what growing up with autism is like for someone. They don’t feel as isolated as we fear. Social interactions with others are just something that really aren’t a need for them. And a lot of the things that make them different, their odd behaviors and obsessions, are the things that as an adult make them unique and sometimes help them fit in and function as an adult.
I don’t know if Nick will continue to use his descriptive term. But even if he doesn’t, and if his affection has to be prompted by reminders from me, that’s ok. I know he loves me. All the way across to China.

Kathy Wood

I had one of the those "moments" today

(Written, 02.08.08 in OASISTALK)

I never really forget that Joshua has autism...it's there everyday before us. This morning was a reminder as he and I were reading a book that he and his class made. They do this with papers they compile. It is rather fun and cute to read what they all come up with and think.
I remember Joshua and I sitting down and filling this paper out that was now housed with all the others in between the red cover. Of course today he expounded more about his story that was not on the paper...two months later.

As I sat their reading to him the thoughts of his classmates on how they would "Save Santa if he were stuck"... It hit me where he is...where his world of Autism sort of keeps him. How difficult it is for him to put down on paper, with his own hand, his incredible thoughts. How as he is speaking them and begins to write the first letter they often get lost in the "commotion" that surrounds him and his thoughts and words mingle in with the "chaos" he experiences and tries to "sift" through. How, only when he is in his moment, away from expectations and trying to make sense of this world, will he enter his and voice incredible stories....yet academically trying to bring that up is difficult. I witness daily this incredible potential that is all his own and that God has given to him personally and individually.
So, as I drive him to school, with tears I pray, asking God to break through and help unleash what He has given him.....and to give me the wisdom and understanding to "walk with him" and guide him.

Angel Thompson/Mother

A view in the Literal Life....and the confidence it brings.

My name is Tracey Reichard and I wanted to share a little about my daughter, Natalie. She was diagnosed with high functioning autism a few years ago. My Aunt (who is a multi-handicapped teacher), had always wondered if Nat (at a very young age) was Asperger's or high functioning. Well, anyways, I wanted to share a story about her that happened recently. As many of you already know, so many of our kids are extremely "black and white" in life. Natalie has always been a "by the book" girl. She is being brought up in a Christian home. We try to teach our kids about life the way Jesus would live. So anyways, she went to school last week and had to watch a movie in French class. The movie had subtitles and was rated PG-13. ( I had no idea she was watching a movie in class.) When class had finished for the day, she approached the teacher of the class. She said to her, "excuse me, I don't mean to be rude, but why are you allowing us to watch a movie with cuss words? She says, "I am a Christian and I don't like to be exposed to this kind of language." (by the way, the movie had the "F" word in it!) The teacher was a little distressed to say the least. She apologized for offending her and also called me. The school policy is being looked at now as well.

I just wanted to share this because of how proud I am of my daughter. As she grows each year I see a confidence that I didn’t even have in school. She stands up for what she believes in and she likes what she sees. I am thankful for my daughter and have grown to love her for who she is. (So I guess that means I have grown up, too!)

Tracey Reichard/Mother
Natalie Reichard/ Age 13

Okay, well things we began to notice...

Gerri Cremer joined our OASIS team back in June 2008, when she became the Director of Support for the OASIS Wooster Chapter.

Her son's story is breath taking and if you ever have the chance to hear Tyler's story and his mom's....you will understand why.

So many people have asked about BioMedical Treatment. We always encourage our families to seek and do research when looking into any type of treatment or therapy, which Gerri did with Tyler. Seriously...If you ever have the chance to snag her at one of the OASIS meetings, and talk with her...ask her about Tyler's on going story...how his life has changed.

Below is an update she sent us on how Tyler has been doing and she wanted to share it with all of you.

When Tyler began BioMedical Treatment in March 2008, we did a ton of lab tests.

The results showed:

• High testosterone levels• missing parts of his immune system• group A strep• yeast• mercury• copper• and other metals

The treatment includes:

• Biotin• Selenium• Zinc• Milk Thistle• Vitamin B Injections (at the beginning 2x week, now every other day)• Probiotics• Vitamin A• Vitamin K• Colostrum Liquid• Taurine• P5P with Magnesium• Calcium Powder• Enzymes• Glutithione inhalation (2xweek)• EDTA transdermal cream (1xweek)• Fluconozol (diflucan)• Amino Acids

Okay, well things we began to notice:

• Tyler has more eye contact• no longer has green nasal drainage, none!• was able to stop taking previcid• homonal behavior has dramatically dropped ( way less aggression almost non-existant)• more attention, now knows how to open the door and sneak out to his swing set.• Without anyone ever telling him, he knew which side of the pantry had his gluten-free foods!!• now does small things like lightly touch and play with his eye lashes (and mine), gives me hugs without request and is just plain wonderful!

Tyler's recent labs show that He no longer carries Group A Strep - we did not treat him with antibiotics!! we boosted his immune system!

We are still waiting on more labs but so far, Tyler is healthier than he has EVER been. Praise be to God, I told him I would give him the Praise and Glory for all the good things in my life. It doesn't matter how God accomplishes things, it is just so wonderful that he DOES. I will give an update in the upcoming months as we see what other miracles come our way.

God Bless, Gerri and Tyler