Some of you may know if you've referenced my blog before that Daniel uses Disney & other Animated reference to convey thoughts and feelings on
occasion. It is a form of
echolalia and it is quite impressive that he has tapped into this characteristic of autism to communicate. The trick is to recognise the emotion and work with it.
If it's a happy reference like singing, "I Wanna Be Like You" from The Jungle Book we sing together and I acknowledge that Daniel wants to be be silly and hang out with us crazy typical people:) If it is a more emotional reference like singing "Part of Your World" from The Little Mermaid I acknowledge that he may be a little sad and feeling like an outsider and the two of us engage his brother in an activity like swimming or playing catch.
When a more anxiety filled reference is made like quotes from Todd and
Vixie as they run through the burning forest in the movie The Fox and The Hound, there is an immediate need for getting to the source of what is creating the anxiety and working on a solution before an escalation occurs.
Unlike the stereotypical view that autistic individuals are solitary and choose not to communicate it is quite the opposite. Daniel is so motivated to communicate that he uses what would be looked at by the outsider as meaningless rants as a way to engage us in good times and ask for help in stressful times. So to that I say "He's Smarter Than The Average Bear"
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What cartoon characters do you identify with the most?
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Comments (12)
I love the silly questions added to the end of the posts
Josh used to do that too. He would quote VeggieTales, Shrek, and Winnie the Pooh... and I got quite adept at learning his "metaphoric" language... I do some of the same thing, but often with song lyrics. It is one way to put the words into order without having to think about them or stutter. I know the words. I know the order. When I have to say new things... either I like to think them out beforehand or I stutter and stumble my way through. Half the time, I try to get someone else to speak for me. That's where being married helps big time.
@keystspf@xanga - I love that he does this because it does give me a heads up if he's not feeling well or is stressed out. I had heard about it a long time ago before he was even talking at all. He can say 3 word phrases but sometimes the movie references convey a lot more feeling. Funny you mentioned veggie tales because he did sing "God is bigger then the boogie man" and it was a reference to being frightened.
Pokemon was the craze, way back when. When he was angry, he'd animate Pikachu's lightning-bolt zap. When he was apathetic, he'd animate the lazy dragon's fireblast.
Years later, he insists on passing me his latest music, and in a combination between the feel of the music and the lyrics, or the depiction in the video, I'd see a bit of what is going on with him emotionally, and I'd use the music vids in return, in hopes of response.
I'll be honest, it's hard to find modern videos that convey appropriate responses, though it helps that I grew up on Mtv when Mtv used to mean music television.
Others don't seem to understand his peculiar language - or get frustrated and demand exact words. We do what we can...
@the_kcar - How funny!! It's like their own language they have developed. So Smart, these kids :)
Dan had some pokemon videos out the other day but he likes looking at the VIZ VIDEO logo more than watching the show however I am very familiar with lighting-bolt zap but not lazy dragon's fireblast. We will have to review. ha ha
I tend to identify with either Bugs Bunny or Wil E. Coyote...
depends if I'm having a great day...or feelin' like a clutz.
@P1AutismMom - :) questions at the end are a trip...aren't they?
@edlives@xanga - They leave me scratching my head. :) Thanks for the rec!!
@P1AutismMom - Charzard...that's who it was. When Charmander evolved far enough, he didn't want to deal with petty battle games until it was something that directly affected Ash's safety or Charzard's peace...and I can't believe I remembered all this, once I remembered Charzard. Yikes, but the kids [and husband] swore that fad would never fade.
We had managed to collect about four books of the cards, 28 of the VHS tapes, three of the [later recalled] Burger King gold cards...just...yikes.
It was one of few topics that could keep all three of their interests simultaneously - the husband, the oldest, and the youngest.
That, and it sure beat Blues Clues...
@the_kcar@xanga - This was the first thing I read this morning. It made me chuckle.
We have figures, I transfered the videos to DVD for better storage. We have a box of the recalled pokeballs and I have a beanie Psyduck that I will occasionally place on my computer which lets everyone know that mom has a headache. ha
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