I've been fortunate enough to see beautiful sunsets over electric blue seas and sparkling snow covered mountains but I've never had a view as precious as the one I had one evening last week.
I wasn't on a beach, or a mountain, I wasn't even outside. I was putting my children to bed. Ahh.. there you go, it's one of those beautiful 'watching my children sleep' stories. Nop, good guess, but not right.
That would indeed be a wonderful view. With two of my three children having autism and one of those with extra ADHD and anxiety thrown in for good measure, it is a true delight when they are asleep when they should be. But it was what happened before they settled down that was wonderful.
David is five years old and similar to 25% of individuals with autism he is mostly non-verbal. He makes sounds and noises and is just starting to make syllable shapes that can be recognised by those that know him. But without a reinforcer such as his Makaton sign language it can often still be difficult to understand what he is saying. He often uses echolalia, the echoing of words he's heard to respond to you or a situation.
It was a while ago he started echoing 'na' when we said 'night night' to him.
"David.... bed. Lie down" (David darts across the room, stands on his bed as asked, then quickly dives under the covers) "Night night, David"
"Na"
I kissed him gently on the forehead as I do every night, "Love you"
He puts his hands on his chest.. "View"
Say it again - out loud this time. Crossing hands over your chest (heart). He's saying, 've-you'.
No one else was there to see me pause. No one else was there to see me smile. No one else got to see me experience the best 'view' in the world. He may just be echoing but I didn't care. This was a first. And while I stood for what seemed like a moment bent over the bed, the day had turned into night. The light faded quickly in the room but the light in my eyes sparkled. Night night son, I love you too.
Links
Our blog - Why I'm so happy my son has echolalia
Our blog - Why my chatterbox goes to sign language classes
Our blog - Speech sounds developing with Toy Story
Our blog - The miracle of light through a curtain: Autism and sleep
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Oh that's really lovely, I've actually got tears in my eyes! What a nice end to the day #MarvMondays
ReplyDeleteYeah, me too a little. Thanks for stopping by.
DeleteOh wow, bless him! I bet you'll cherish that forever. Thanks for joining #marvmondays
ReplyDeleteI think so. Thanks for stopping by.
DeleteOh darling I have a lump in my throat reading this. I remember the first time Natty signed in Makaton 'You - happy me' at bedtime. It was her made up way of saying I Love You. Lots of tears xxx
ReplyDeleteThat's just gorgeous too! Never fail to take my breath away.
DeleteThis is so lovely and a moment to truly treasure.
ReplyDeleteI agree, that is a beautiful 'view' :)
Thanks so much for joining in with #MMBC. Hope to see you next week xx
Thanks. 😊
DeleteWhat a beautiful post! What a special thing to happen. Loved reading this :)
ReplyDeletePopping over from Small Steps Amazing Achievements.
Beautiful post. Its the moments like this that make it all worthwhile. Stopping by from #bestandworst
ReplyDeleteThey certainly make it easier when it feels like things aren't going well for any reason. Thanks for commenting
DeleteAmazing. I got goosebumps just reading so I can imagine the warmth you felt in your heart at that very moment. Beautiful moment captured for years to come! #ssamazingachievements
ReplyDeleteIt's the kind of post I love to write, the treasured moments, documented. Thanks for commenting.
DeleteAwww what a lovely 'view' you've had. #bestandworst
ReplyDeleteAww what a moment! My heart melted for you. What a lovely "view". Thanks for sharing this on #bestandworst xx
ReplyDeleteMine too. Thanks.
DeleteThis put a massive smile on my face this is so cute! #coolmumclub
ReplyDeleteToo cute! Thanks for commenting.
DeleteAww how lovely :) Even as a mimic, he meant to say it :)
ReplyDeleteI'll take it!
DeleteWhat a warm and honest post about your little ones. It's so important we learn more about autism and other things that make our little ones unique x #brillblogposts
ReplyDeleteYou got me again! All I seem to do is cry this week. Such a touching post! ❤️
ReplyDeleteThis was a gorgeous insight into your family life. thanks for sharing it. #ablogginggoodtime
ReplyDeleteOh, that is so lovely, I've teared up! A beautiful story, and definitely the best view x Thanks for sharing with #WotW
ReplyDeleteHe and we have had a good week. Thanks for hosting and commenting. Xx
DeleteSo moving, brought a tear to my eye x
ReplyDeleteMostly I had a massive smile. Thursday's post was about how David knew when the dog was dying.. I was a closer to tears with that one. Thanks so much for reading and commenting.
DeleteAh that is so sweet, such a special moment yes I bet that way the best view ever x
ReplyDeleteVery happy! Thanks for commenting.
Deleteaw I am filled with shivers, thank you so so so much for sharing. I am sure you have the best view ever! #KCACOLS
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely memory and an achievement for your little one xx
ReplyDelete#KCACOLS
Ah this is just so lovely! It had gave me goosebumps reading this. Thanks for linking up to #coolmumclub lovely xx
ReplyDeleteOh this is such a moving moment. It actually brought tears to my eyes. This is definitely the best 'view' in the world from your little man. x #ftmob
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful! Thank you for sharing with us :) #KCACOLS
ReplyDeleteAw, I choked up reading this - what a beautiful moment! Definitely a 'view' to treasure. x
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for linking up at #KCACOLS. Hope you come back again next Sunday!
Yeah me too. Thanks for sharing.
DeleteOh this is just beautiful - what a wonderful moment. Definitely the best "view" ever. Thank you for sharing it with #ftmob :-)
ReplyDeleteCaught me unawares, as he so often does. Thanks for hosting xx
DeleteTears are in my eyes reading this, what a fantastic moment between you mother and son. I long for this moment. I'm sure you will hold that memory close to your heart forever.
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking up with Small Steps Amazing Achievements :0)
x
Like I said to Louise, I was a bit surprised by it. But then he's always surprising me! Thanks for hosting
DeleteWhat a wonderful moment. Thanks for sharing it. #ftmob
ReplyDelete