I hear and see other kids talents, and I wish my oldest was so straight forward with his 'talents'. He wants to study this year for Electrician, he attends Air Training Corps, through which he wants to become a pilot and be part of the shooting team. He can also draw beautiful technical drawings, so I'm searching for a course in Solidworks. He is one of those people that can look at a picture and then imagine the object in his head and turn it 3D around in his imagination, to 'see' it from all sides. Engineer, like his dad?? I don't know how I'm going to keep up with where he needs to be for what. lol
And you wouldn't have believed that he would be able to do all of this study when he was 9 years old. He struggled to read and write, spelling was non-existent, reading a clock and adding was just not possible in his world. He was diagnosed with Autism and Dyslexia (also ADHD). He went without oxygen when he was born, nobody could tell us for how long. Last year we discovered he has Irlen Syndrome, so he got coloured glasses. With so much stacked against him, he still dream big. He has conquered so much, that the practicality of how he is going to do these things aren't even a thought to him. He probably gets his "we'll figure it out when we get there" attitude from me! My hubby always tells me that I can't accept the answer "No!". I will just start searching for another way to get things done!
Other people also question his ability to do all of these things. And it is difficult sometimes to convince them that it will be possible. People tend to evaluate a situation from what they know. So, I need to fill in the gaps for them. Suffering from Social Anxiety and other health issues, I only go 'outdoors' to attend my sons social group outings, drop and pick them up from their activities, do grocery shopping or other kinds of shopping. So, I live a lot inside my own head, and then to put into words the million things going on in my head, is overwhelming, and frightening. Frightening, because I don't know what thoughts would jump out into words, which should not have been spoken, bringing an awkwardness to a discussion. I prefer my online live, writing my blog, writing emails and messages on Facebook. It is so much safer, I can reread it until I'm certain, what I had said is what I want that person to read. And then I go and press the Publish button, instead of the Save button!! And my raw thoughts are out there. Hopefully, I can reread this post before anybody reads it! lol :)
Enough about me!! Back to my son, trying to explain to other people how he is going to be able to achieve all of his dreams, well ... When he went for his first flying lesson on Flying camp through the Air Training Corps, his instructor told him that he was very similar to him. He is Dyslexic, but he is now a pilot and a Maintenance Engineer on planes! My son came home with this lifted spirit, giving him hope that he would be able to become a pilot. Even though academic life and school subjects was hell for him, he knows what he needs to know to follow instructions. He isn't a show off, because he knows he can't afford to be one. He never knows when he overestimates his own abilities, and needs to take his time learning a new skill. But looking back on his own life, he knows that not one of the obstacles or diagnoses/learning disabilities hold him back from learning what he needed to learn. The direction on his path just changed a bit, that's all. He might need to take a detour, where other kids can go straight, but he knows he'll get there. And because he took a little bit longer, he is now wiser that his peers about that subject. Having to study it more in full, gives him knowledge and other skills that he uses later in his life.
But this explanation doesn't serve the critics well, they want me to explain in physical terms how he will cope. I can't, because we were not there yet! I don't know what will be a problem and what not! All I can do as his mum, is to support him, arrange Dyslexia support, note takers, and readers/writers for him. I need to trust that his Lecturers and the Disability Team will have his back. I must trust that he will figure it out, and ask help when he needs it. He needs this life lesson, to figure out how to stand up for himself and ask for help. It's my time to step back, and hope that the skills I've given him, will be enough for him to start his journey in the adult world. At least he has many talents, and many options for the future. He must now navigate his world in his own way, make his own mistakes, and know that we, his family, will always be there to keep him up and reach his dreams!
I'm proud to call you my son! I will always be proud, doesn't matter which way your journey takes you! <3
And you wouldn't have believed that he would be able to do all of this study when he was 9 years old. He struggled to read and write, spelling was non-existent, reading a clock and adding was just not possible in his world. He was diagnosed with Autism and Dyslexia (also ADHD). He went without oxygen when he was born, nobody could tell us for how long. Last year we discovered he has Irlen Syndrome, so he got coloured glasses. With so much stacked against him, he still dream big. He has conquered so much, that the practicality of how he is going to do these things aren't even a thought to him. He probably gets his "we'll figure it out when we get there" attitude from me! My hubby always tells me that I can't accept the answer "No!". I will just start searching for another way to get things done!
Other people also question his ability to do all of these things. And it is difficult sometimes to convince them that it will be possible. People tend to evaluate a situation from what they know. So, I need to fill in the gaps for them. Suffering from Social Anxiety and other health issues, I only go 'outdoors' to attend my sons social group outings, drop and pick them up from their activities, do grocery shopping or other kinds of shopping. So, I live a lot inside my own head, and then to put into words the million things going on in my head, is overwhelming, and frightening. Frightening, because I don't know what thoughts would jump out into words, which should not have been spoken, bringing an awkwardness to a discussion. I prefer my online live, writing my blog, writing emails and messages on Facebook. It is so much safer, I can reread it until I'm certain, what I had said is what I want that person to read. And then I go and press the Publish button, instead of the Save button!! And my raw thoughts are out there. Hopefully, I can reread this post before anybody reads it! lol :)
Enough about me!! Back to my son, trying to explain to other people how he is going to be able to achieve all of his dreams, well ... When he went for his first flying lesson on Flying camp through the Air Training Corps, his instructor told him that he was very similar to him. He is Dyslexic, but he is now a pilot and a Maintenance Engineer on planes! My son came home with this lifted spirit, giving him hope that he would be able to become a pilot. Even though academic life and school subjects was hell for him, he knows what he needs to know to follow instructions. He isn't a show off, because he knows he can't afford to be one. He never knows when he overestimates his own abilities, and needs to take his time learning a new skill. But looking back on his own life, he knows that not one of the obstacles or diagnoses/learning disabilities hold him back from learning what he needed to learn. The direction on his path just changed a bit, that's all. He might need to take a detour, where other kids can go straight, but he knows he'll get there. And because he took a little bit longer, he is now wiser that his peers about that subject. Having to study it more in full, gives him knowledge and other skills that he uses later in his life.
But this explanation doesn't serve the critics well, they want me to explain in physical terms how he will cope. I can't, because we were not there yet! I don't know what will be a problem and what not! All I can do as his mum, is to support him, arrange Dyslexia support, note takers, and readers/writers for him. I need to trust that his Lecturers and the Disability Team will have his back. I must trust that he will figure it out, and ask help when he needs it. He needs this life lesson, to figure out how to stand up for himself and ask for help. It's my time to step back, and hope that the skills I've given him, will be enough for him to start his journey in the adult world. At least he has many talents, and many options for the future. He must now navigate his world in his own way, make his own mistakes, and know that we, his family, will always be there to keep him up and reach his dreams!
I'm proud to call you my son! I will always be proud, doesn't matter which way your journey takes you! <3