Wednesday, January 26, 2011

You + I = We...Or Is It Me?

For those of you who may not know, my son C.J. (Christopher Jr.) is 7 years old and has Autism.  After many years of intense therapy and even sending him to one of the top ten schools in the country for autistic kids, with God's help, I am now homeschooling my little man.  Some people may think it's crazy, but I say it's an answer to a prayer.

During the past couple of weeks,  I have been trying to teach him to understand the concept of you, I and we.  This became more difficult then I thought!!  (caution: this may get confusing. I'll try not to confuse myself again too)

So, my goal is to ask him," CJ, what are YOU doing?" in which his correct response should be "I am standing up."  But to a concrete mind where things are black and white, his response is (you asked me what YOU is doing), "YOU is standing up!"  Makes sense right?......oy.

"Okaaaaay CJ, what am I doing?" and of course he says (you asked me what "I" is doing), "I am standing up!"

After correcting his responses MANY times with emphasis, I knew this was going to take a while and my head was starting to spin.  So, we have been ending our sessions with a "We" party. (and no, I don't mean Wii).  Because "we" never changes!!  I like "we".  "CJ, what are WE doing?" and he says (drum roll please), "WE are standing up!" YAY!!!!

It's amazing how some concepts like this come naturally to "typical" people.  But, for someone trying to make sense of the world,  it doesn't make sense.  Why do you and I pull a switcharoo?  Why is phone not spelled with an f?  Why is (ship)ment done on land and (car)go done by sea?  Only one can wonder.

So...how are YOU today?



1 comment:

  1. Yes, the english language can be confusing even for someone without asd, lol! You Sea?? (See.)

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