Makin' WAVES at the Y

Image via Wikipedia

Waves started at the Baxter Y yesterday. Swimming lessons for the disabled are not just fun, but essential. There isn't much available for our kids in the Summer, but this program always has a waiting list. Now, I know why.

It was amazing. A one-on-one lifeguard for each participant, participants of every age group and disability, and the incredible Y facilities are the recipe for the perfect Summer activity for autism. Non-member cost for the program is approximately 150.00. It runs for 8 weeks.

This Y also offers sensory motor sessions, but, sadly, there are never enough takers for the class to be held.

All The Time In The World

Image by JasonTromm via Flickr

Summer should be a fun break for everyone, right? Here it is nearly June. The kids are home, and I'm already tired. After three days of end-of-school meltdowns, I'm pooped emotionally.

The park was fun for the fifteen minutes we were there. The house looks more like a hurricane blew through than before. Hurricane Darrel is destructive. At least, a 4. The worst part is that I know he's losing time. I'm no professional. I mimic the professionals as much as I can, but I know the expertise I need is not at my fingertips. For three months, we're on our own.


Speech therapy is easy, at least I think it is. It's all the rest; challenging behaviors, sensory issues, and loss of all that precious knowledge we put in his head all year. That is the frustration I have as a parent when lawmakers and schools in one breath push professional intervention, and express in the next that the family has undefined and undetermined responsibilities to fix their kids. My favorite is the phrase used so often that "school isn't a cure".

Newsflash. For most of us, there is no improvement bordering on "cure". Nobody gets a cure with autism. Education is, however, the only viable treatment for autism we have which is available for most regardless of cost. It is our best bet for reducing the cost effect of so many disabled entering society at one time. It's the difference between a child completely dependent on one-on-one aids for personal care into adulthood and a child only partially dependent and able to perform basic self-care. School may not be a cure, but, when you have a child with autism, you sure miss it when it's gone.