Reading Faces / Interpreting Emotions

  

 

This skill is important either at home or in school. Many misunderstandings arise from students misinterpreting the emotions of others. Sometimes students can be confused by what a particular look means. They may easily mistake a look of disappointment and think someone is angry, or they may mistake a nervous expression for a funny one.

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MY CHILD’s BEHAVIORAL REGRESSION

People don’t understand what special children can actually be particularly those who have Asperger’s Syndrome or commonly called Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Coping with a child who has an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can be very difficult especially when they display challenging behavior such as aggressive behavior and no speech at all. But individuals with Asperger’s disorders are often very intelligent and I can proudly say that my son is one of them.

Since kindergarten up to 1^st year high school, my son has been perfect in school either in academics and social skills. He could be able to perform on the stage play or school programs with his regular classmates. He has a very sharp memory... He could even express his feelings, thoughts and ideas... But everything has been changed... 

Apparently, he is literally unable to think for himself. Most of the time, I’m trying to be patient and understand his condition. But as a mother, it seems that someone is stabbing my heart every time I see my child’s behavior. Although he does not show aggressive behavior/s but the behaviors that I can see on him now was not manifested before such as flapping and shaking his hands, too slow when walking and eating, doesn’t want to express his feelings and thoughts, doesn’t read his books anymore and doesn’t even draw on his drawing notebook. And most of all, he doesn’t make a note for me when he noticed that I am angry, sad or quiet. I miss those things so much. 

I keep on talking to him to get back to what he is before... But he can’t regain the skills that were lost. He is also becoming less aware of his surroundings. I’m so tired of thinking and doing some strategies or behavior modifications such as reinforcement, etc. I'm also tryin' so hard to help him “do” for HIMSELF, but it just doesn’t seem to take anymore.  I don’t know if he could just have strong behavior adaptation or he goes through these periods of significant behavioral regression. The term regression refers to a loss of previously acquired skills, such as language, motor, or life skills.

My son will be closely monitored for any changes or continued regression and we won’t hesitate to call for help if necessary. But how can we do that if we could not have enough money to support his medical needs? I feel so pity on him... Nobody would like to help us even our relatives and immediate family members. Perhaps, they don’t really understand my child’s condition or they just don’t really care about him. This is the reason why I continuously struggling and trying to achieve my goal in life so that I can be able to give all my child's needs particularly comprehensive intervention and therapies for him; and in order for him to enroll in a social group where he can be able to enhance or regain his social skills. 

If I could just turn the hands of the clock so fast... But I believe that there is a right time for everything... I know, God has a good and perfect plan for us especially for my child.

Yam... bear in mind that Daddy & Mommy will always be here for you because we love you much... As your mother, nobody can hurt you either physically or emotionally... I will fight for you till the end. 

"I am the wind beneath your wings... You and me against the world"... (two BEAUTIFUL songs that I dedicate to you, son).

My Great Fear in Life!

What is going to happen to our child when I and my husband are no longer here? Who will take the custody of our child when we die? This is my great fear in life… I know leaving our child alone in this world can greatly affect the quality of his life. How I wish that may our dear God extend my life so that I can be with my child till he can be able to live by himself.

As years go by I’m getting sickly perhaps because I am not getting any younger. But whatever pain I feel every day I just ignore it because I would like to survive and want to live longer for my child. But there are times I can’t help myself crying. Why? It’s because my child suffers from being rejected by his classmates especially the boys. For whatever reason, I don’t know but perhaps because they don’t like to socialize with Sped pupils like my child.

Last year, my child was physically injured because of the foolishness of one of his classmates. The “bully boy” put out his foot to forestall my child while walking inside their classroom. But before that incident, the said “bully” intimidated my child several times physically and emotionally and was even saying offensive terms to him just like “p---- ina kang sped ka!, crazy, nutty etc.”  

My son loves to play and make friends. But there are times that he asks me why his classmates don’t like to talk to him nor even play with him. I just answer him; maybe they are too busy… And I try to tell him some other alibis that could make him ease a little pain in his heart. But how so painful it is to a mother like me when you knew that your child feels so bad? How I wished them to become friendly to my child because he likes them so much. But it’s out of my control and I have nothing to do with it. Even my brother in-law shows no affection for our child. Doesn’t he know that my little big boy is his own “flesh and blood”? So, those are the examples of my fear… Thinking that I am still alive and can still be able protect our child… But what if I could not beside him anymore? Now, tell me why should I fear not when thinking what will happen to our child when we, his parents are no longer here?

What my child experiencing is a stigma which means that he feels not socially accepted in school, community or even in our society. Something else that I can do is diverting what’s in his mind by talking about the things where he could be focused… just like about insects, dinosaurs and some other animals etc. 

I and my husband make sure that we must have time to take him to the mall or park where he will feel comfortable and can express his ideas… because for him, family bonding is very important.

I wish that I could stay here forever for my little big boy!

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ADHD AND ADD

How do we know the difference between ADHD and ADD? Many people do not really understand the differences between ADHD and ADD. Let me define first what does ADHD and ADD mean.

• ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) is basically the lack of attention in the patient or he/she is inattentive.
• ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder) is a condition in which the person has visible impulsivity or hyperactivity, extreme difficulty focusing or paying attention and controlling their behavior.

Of the two types of disorders, ADHD is most commonly diagnosed perhaps ADHD have more visible symptoms than those with ADD. ADHD is very noticeable because it comes with the creation of a good deal of distractions within the classroom. Therefore, it gets a good deal of attention and can be recognized easier. But this does not mean that ADD is not destructive; it is, just less visible. We could notice that when a person is suffering from ADD, he or she will often seem disorganized and inattentive. You may often find him/her simply staring out a window while in the classroom, and seem like he/she is never really there.

Let me give you the three types of ADHD symptoms that I have gathered

• Trouble paying attention. People with ADHD are easily distracted and have a hard time focusing on any one task.
• Trouble sitting still for even a short time. This is called hyperactivity. Children with ADHD may squirm, fidget, or run around at the wrong times. Teens and adults often feel restless and fidgety and are not able to enjoy reading or other quiet activities.
• Acting before thinking. People with ADHD may talk too loud, laugh too loud, or become angrier than the situation calls for. Children may not be able to wait for their turn or to share. This makes it hard for them to play with other children. Teens and adults seem to "leap before they look." They may make quick decision that have a long-term impact on their lives. They may spend too much money or change jobs often.

Typically, boys are more hyperactive than girls that’s the reason why it was believed that ADHD only affected boys. But this is not true and now it is realized that that children of any gender can have ADD and it does not always go away as they reach the age of adult.

It is important to understand that the symptoms do not necessary mean they have ADHD or ADD, however, they should be watched closely and discussed with a professionals such as developmental pediatrician, child psychologist. We must put in our mind that mental and psychological health of the child is very important as any other part of their health.

Live in Only One World!

 
“I do not believe that persons with autism have a world of their own. All people - with or without disabilities – live in only one continuum, in only one world. It is probably only when we come to understand their condition and the causes of their behavior that the shield of misconception that separates us from them will crumble…”


Quote: SPED Department