[rnrlowe]

<p>First he is too young to know if he's gay or straight - he's only seven.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Some here know that our grandson, Zach, is autistic. We've always known that he was a pretty bright kid in spite of this challenge. This year he will be starting school and we are very excited. My DW just retired and will volunteer to work in the school and the school will allow his therapists to attend class. Here's why were are really pumped.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>We learned that Zach can read. Nobody knows how he learned, nobody. When he started reading we all looked at each other in wonder. The only thing that we could come up with was that he likes to watch a lot of movies with closed caption on. He watches these movies over and over - just like any little kid does. He has memorized the dialog, he just connected the dots between what is spoken and what was written.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Then he wanted to have the training wheels removed from his bicycle. He jumped on and had no issues. When he was finished he put his bike away and looked at his Dad and said, "Mission Accomplished." He then went inside the house for milk and cookies.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>This is going to be his year.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Happy Trails,</p>
<p>Rob</p>

 

[ssstencil]

<p>That's wonderful....who knows what's in those little minds.</p>

 

[theia]

<br><br><div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>rnrlowe</strong> <a href="/forum/thread/69336/my-grandson-is-coming-out#post_1930904"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border-right:0px solid;border-top:0px solid;border-left:0px solid;border-bottom:0px solid;"></a><br><p>This is going to be his year.</p>
<p> </p>
</div>
</div>
<p> </p>
<p>Hopefully the first of MANY!<br><br>
 </p>

 

[Grizzly]

<p>As a dad of a young man who is on the Autism spectrum, I have had my share of those moments, and yes they do make you light up.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I heard a wonderful documentary on the CBC about an autism researcher who is herself autistic.  One of her comments has lingered with me over the years:  "Who are you to decide what is 'normal'?  Who are you to assume that what we have is a handicap?  Who are you  to decide that we need help becoming more like you?  What we need is a way to negotiate our way through this world on our terms."</p>
<p> </p>
<p>It turns out that what we see as a handicap might have been an evolutionary advantage millennia ago when focus would be the difference between survival and being eaten.</p>

 

[ym]

<p>Hooray for Zach! </p>

 

[mrscoby78]

<p>Incredible! </p>
<p> </p>
<p><img alt="" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/hello2.gif" style="width:25px;height:27px;" title=""></p>

 

[merigayle]

<p>great news!!!!!!</p>

 

[altoids]

<p>  </p>

 

[wherestheportojohn]

<p>With that attitude, I bet Zach is going to accomplish SO much in his lifetime!</p>
<p> </p>
<p><img alt="" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/love5.gif" style="width:28px;height:41px;" title=""></p>

 

[SportiGrl]

<p>ha .. I was looking for the 'like' button!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>as for grizz's take on this, or rather the lady authors',  we have had many of the same thoughts/discussions in our household regarding bipolar ... yes ... it can make life very difficult but the light and angles through which we view and interpret things can lead to some pretty amazing and off the beaten path results  ...</p>
<p> </p>

 

[OldBaldHippie]

<p>that early reading phenomenon always blows my mind...sounds like a fun kid...</p>

 

[Ileneforward]

<p>Hooray for Zach!  many missions to be accomplished ahead!   </p>

 

[torque]

<p><img alt="" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/banana.gif" title=""></p>

 

[Xavier Dan Q]

<p><img alt="" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/banana.gif" style="width:33px;height:35px;" title=""></p>

 

[Tech Tee]

<p>Whooo-hoo!</p>

 

[Floridaboiler]

<p>That is very cool,</p>
<p>Congratulations.</p>

 

[nomad]

<p>Sounds like a cool kid - and a smart one! Here's to a big year for Zach.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>This video is another very interesting glimpse into the mind of a child with autism (Carly Fleischmann).</p>
<p> </p>
<p><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34xoYwLNpvw" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34xoYwLNpvw</a></p>
<p> </p>