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