Drums--The New Music

Nick teaching Cam

We have more music in the house. A drum set found itself in our living room on Christmas morning.  We purchased it for all the boys, but we suspected that our youngest two would play it the most.

Nick took no time in breaking in the drums.  His first "at play" is below. When Nick was done, Cam exclaimed, "Whoa!!" He bent to see how big a dent Nick had put in the cymbals.  Oops.

I thought we had purchased a drum set for beginners.  After listening to Nick play, I asked him where he learned to play.  He replied that he had just watched and listened to his friends during band at school.  Nick seems to be natural.

The black set is sleeker in appearance than the pots and pans that they banged on in former years, but the noise is just as loud.  Within two days, we moved the drum set upstairs, knowing that it was a temporary fix.  I expect it'll take a few months before we find a permanent home for these noisemakers.

I love seeing Nick's face light up when he plays.  Lately, he's been improving and trying different rhythms with syncopation.  Quite an outlet for him!

  

Teamwork--Getting Along

Nick, Ryan, Cam working on a crossword puzzle

Although the younger boys all have autism, they are extremely different.  They have their own strengths and weaknesses, just like everyone else.  Together, they create an invincible team.

One of the life skills we have been working on is team work.  There is not much in this world that doesn't require working with someone else.  Whether it's going to the grocery store to buy food or see the doctor in his office, effectively communicating with others is simply a necessity.  Hence, teamwork.  If my sons can work together to solve a problem or finish a project, they can accomplish whatever they wish!

Not an easy task when teens with autism don't like to talk.  OR when one likes to talk a lot.  OR when one wants to talk but can't quite articulate his idea.  Each one of these ideas represents one of my sons.

I don't let them quit.  That is critical.  They finish what they start.

It helps when the project is dinner.  If they finish, they get to eat!!  An empty stomach is a great incentive.

Beach Days Of Christmas

Nick and Cam 

The remaining days of the Christmas season our family journeyed to the beach.

In January, the beaches are not crowded, yet the fun remains.  The boys run along the coast, and sometimes they swim.  Mike and I walk to the local pier, talking about anything and everything.  Our family gets a chance to relax and unwind.

Mike

The fog greeted us the first day, but the following days were sunny and brisk.  The apparel varied from jeans to shorts, pending if the sun decided to hang out.  The guys decided to go whale watching while I enjoyed some quiet time. Then we dared outside dining--complete with heaters.

Nick

We rarely plan the entire trip.  We like having down time, and the boys need practice with spontaneity--a difficult concept for teens with autism.  So as the whim of an idea catches us, we may do it.  Or not.  No matter what, the best time is the time on the beach.

Cam

Money, Money, Money

Last Monday, I spent the morning with Nick at our local coffee shop.  It's one of the few places where the employees know Nick by name, and he feels very much at home.  (Not to mention, coffee is gluten free.)  Nick can relax and chill. As a consequence, I never know what surprises lurk here!

Today was no exception.  Nick surprised me with his understanding of abstract concepts of money, and he totally perplexed me with his lack of understanding of money.

First, the cerebral concept:  he has to pay for his own coffee.  Well, he doesn't have a job.  Yet.  With his school load and extra curricular activities, he has no time for a job.  My husband and I want him focusing on anything related to schooling. So he surprised me with his comment, "I can't waste my money on coffee like I did last year.  I like coffee.  I need a job, Mom."

Quite simple and straightforward. Typical for a teen with autism.

How does a mom explain to her son with autism that there are only 24 hours in a day, and he is already using them all?  I used a diagram to illustrate his activities and the lack of hours for a job. That didn't stop Nick.  He wants to earn his keep--a concept my husband and I have taught all our kids.  My only solution was to offer Nick jobs around the house for some extra cash.  AND he could get a job over the summer.  "Great!!" he exclaimed.  I am THRILLED that Nick understands the concept of money--earning it, spending it, saving it.

Then came Nick's lack of understanding.  He used a debit card at the coffee shop for the first time.  He swiped his card and got his coffee, "Cool!"  He took his receipt, and I logged on to the bank website so he could see the transaction.  He looked at me with confusion.  Money was missing from his account.

When we opened his bank account, the banker explained the debit card.  Nick said he understood. Obviously, he didn't.  I showed the amount to be debited from his checking account via his receipt, and he looked at me with total dismay?  "I have to pay my debit card?" he inquired.

I shook my head yes.  "The bank will give this money to the coffee shop."  Nick didn't like the idea of his money going out of his account.  He understood cash, but this electronic thing was confusing him.  He responded, "You'll teach me this money stuff?"

I reassured him I would.

I couldn't believe the complexity of monetary ideas:  one moment I was surprised that Nick understood the idea of earning his own money to spend, yet the next moment I was astonished that Nick didn't understand the idea of a debit card.

Knowing Nick, he'll learn this lesson quickly!!