What We Need

Color blind

August 25, 2009 at 5:50 am 4 comments

     I spend a lot of my time trying to figure out how C’s brain works, and how I can use that knowledge to be more supportive of his needs. In those rare moments when I am provided with a brief glimpse into C’s mind, I am always enchanted. One thing I can always count on is C’s entertaining way of making connections between often very disparate things. It used to be when driving in a big city C would notice the exit numbers off the highway. “That’s exit 16! Abraham Lincoln’s number!” he’d say. We’d always celebrate those connections, even if they were far from typical.  Connecting the dots is one of those things therapists work on with kids with autism, and learning to tie knowledge together is big in those circles.     

     C’s Presidential interests have now mostly turned to President Obama, and he was very excited that one of the President’s daughters is the same age he is (again, connections). C’s big report for 2nd grade was about Barack Obama, and the Presidential “fact” he shared at the school assembly on President’s Day was that President Obama is our first African-American President. I didn’t realize he had no real idea what that meant until recently. When we stood in line at the airport a few weeks ago, C noticed the gentleman standing in front of us. As Caucasian as could be, the man was wearing a black suit. “That man looks just like Barack Obama, Mommy!!!” C said elatedly. Curious as to his response, I asked the obvious question, wondering what the connection could possibly be. C’s answer? In a tone that implied it should be as obvious as the sun, “He’s Black, Mom!”

Entry filed under: autism. Tags: asperger's, autism, color blind, connections, high functioning autism, notice, race, special needs.