Two amazing things happened to Aulton this year and I don't even know how to order them, as both are life changing.
The easiest to explain is the Make A Wish trip he was granted in January. Our family went to Walt Disney World, where we had the trip of a lifetime. The trip was magical and spectacular. There will never be a way to recreate the trip and it has left us with many happy memories. It was the best trip and thing that our family has ever done together. Aulton said (through RPM), that he felt "honored" to go on the trip. I would not have chosen that word, but yet Aulton knew the perfect way to explain it.
This leads to the next incredible thing that happened in 2017. Aulton was introduced to Rapid Prompting Method. We started using this method of learning in January. Since that time, I have consistently been teaching Aulton age-appropriate lessons on every topic imaginable. At the end of the lesson, I ask him to spell a word that goes with our topic. He had a very emotional, difficult month in December, so he hasn't been writing very personal things. but here are some of the things I have asked and his response (he hardly ever spells the words I would use):
- How would you describe water - STUNNING
- What word goes with flower - BLOOM
- How would you describe grandpa Elmer -LOYAL
- How would you describe grandma Tammy - POSITIVE
- What is your favorite thing about dad - BOY (I asked him if that meant that he was happy to have another boy in the family. He answered in the affirmative. I thought it was awfully clever and accurate. There are 3 girls in our family and our 3 pets are female. It was the perfect answer). He also said his dad is TOUGH.
- Mike reported that during a lesson about my birthday, Aulton spelled that I was STRONG
- He "wrote" a talk about the Holy Ghost and told me he has a TESTIMONY and that the Holy Ghost has a SUBTLE voice
- When asked about vaccines and their use over time he spelled TABOO (which I thought was genius)
- The word he associates with jewels is EMERALD
- The word he used to go with metal was GOLD
- During a lesson about leaves changing colors, I asked about his thought on leaves. He spelled NOT HOT MUST STOP. Aulton was quite sick this day and he was telling me he wasn't "feeling too hot" and he couldn't answer any more questions. I love that he can communicate that to me.
- When asked about what is made of atoms, he spelled GUN, which lead to three of his Christmas presents. He plays with the toy guns when he thinks we are not looking.
- When I asked about what he would wish for on his birthday he spelled PARTY
- We had a party and he got the SNO CONES he wanted and we invited all the people he wanted to.
- I most recently did a lesson about the New Year and since I'm not asking personal questions at the moment, I asked him what word other people associate with resolutions his response TO BE THIN. Obviously, he's absorbing the words that are being used around him.
- At Thanksgiving, I asked what he is most thankful for and he spelled BODY. That answer is pretty incredible.
His mind and perspective are unique. I love RPM. I love getting to know my son. He has made immense progress during the last year because of it and many people view him differently. I used to worry about Aulton being in "his own world". I discovered that Aulton is seeing things in a different way. The clinician gave this example: When we go to a birthday party, our senses are able to process everything. We see the decorations, we can pick out sounds (like singing), we can smell the cake, we can taste ice cream and we can touch presents to give them to the recipient. These occur naturally. For a person with Austim, like Aulton, senses are processed in a different way, which may lead one to think he isn't present. He is an auditory learner and when he goes to a birthday party, he may only be able to focus on one voice. Another person with Autism may love to look at the fan. Another may love the feeling of wrapping paper. So, Aulton is not in his own world, he's in our world, with a brain that is wired differently, which gives him a different experience and perspective.
RPM should do wonderful things for Aulton in terms of communication and understanding, but even if he only progressed to this point, I would be happy. It's almost like I just met him. I have learned more about this handsome young man in the last year than I did in the previous 11. He is much more aware and present in many aspects of his life, including his feelings.
The worst thing that happened to Aulton was losing his friend Cicily. When I tell people about their relationship, I describe her as Aulton's best friend. But, in reality, I think she is his soul mate. These two have a great connection where they are able to communicate spirit to spirit. Cicily was always a bright spot in our lives. Aulton has let me know that she is around sometimes. I have no reason to doubt that. When Cicily died, Aulton was very angry and then, he was heart broken. He sobbed every time I talked about her and he would get so mad- completely distraught - when her family would come to our house because when they left, he would realize Cicily really wasn't coming. I have never seen an innocent heart break like this and it was such a hard thing for us to watch. He did his grieving and now we can talk about her and sing her favorite songs and it makes him happy. We miss her, but I believe these two will never be separated.
The other challenges he faced during the year, pale in comparison to Cicily's death. However, they are worth a mention. Aulton had surgery in the Fall to replace the plastic ear tubes that were causing chronic infections. His ears were draining puss and blood for months. The doctor replaced these tubes with blue titanium and the metal seems to be causing no trouble. We are thankful for Dr. Parry and his willingness to think outside of the box and help Aulton have a more comfortable life.
Aulton struggled a bit to walk in the beginning of the year, as he was still recovering from surgery. He is doing well now and his gait is better than it was before he had the surgery.
Aulton has always enjoyed school, but his past semester was difficult. His amazing teacher and aide both left the school. He had trouble adjusting, despite having a great new aide and a new teacher, who was really trying. Some of the students, in his class, have behaviors that are hard for Aulton to handle. He was stressed out for most of November and December, which is just one of the reasons that I chose to homeschool him. He never cried or got upset about going to school. He usually doesn't have that reaction to most things. He is very calm. There were a handful of times when he arrived at school, in the morning, and started crying. I think homeschool is going to be life changing!
Aulton really struggled in December. We went to Salt Lake for some testing. The testing was quite grueling and it was very cold. Aulton does not like cold weather and since his muscles work the same way mine "don't", he was probably in some pain. In cold weather, my myotonia (cramping) get worse and the pain in my leg muscles increase. We found out, at this visit, that Aulton has developed myotonia. I didn't expect it to happen for a few years, so this news was upsetting.
As the year progressed, I noticed that Aulton's scoliosis was also getting worse. At his appointment, also in December, the curvature of his spine had increased significantly. In two days, we are going to Phoenix to the orthotist who made Aulton's foot braces, to be fitted for a back brace. Today, I gave Aulton a lesson about scoliosis and back braces. He cried most of the time and even though you are not supposed to ask emotional questions, I asked him if he was "scared", "worried" or "sad". He said he is worried. My heart breaks that he has another thing to deal with. He is such a rock star, though. I reminded him that a brace may prevent a very painful surgery. I also told him that we can build up his tolerance. He has to work up to wearing it 20 hours/day. I'm praying that it will prevent the surgery and that Aulton will handle a very big change as easily as possible.
Aulton struggled with illness most of December, which is uncommon now that he gets infusions. He hasn't been this sick for years. He also had some viruses, throughout the year, that left him weak and sick, but not significant enough for hospitalization. Sometimes Aulton likes his birthday and sometimes he doesn't. This year it was just a little too much, so we made the following week more relaxing and fun and he is back to his normal, happy self (minus his worries about the brace).
The best part of his birthday, hands down, were the cards! He received over 50. We talked about who sent them and I read every single one. We appreciate all of those who took the time out to send him a card. They are on our door, next to the Christmas cards, as a reminder that Aulton has a whole lot of people who think a whole lot of him. Thank you!!!
Overall, Aulton had a good year. I'm very proud of him. He works hard, he takes everything in stride. I didn't mention the challenges that are a necessary part of his everyday, but he has more that most. He is smart, funny, kind and amazing. I hope he has the best year ever!
