Kaylynn Johnsen
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Austism Mama Writing

Moves ...

4/11/2020

8 Comments

 
​Autism from a mama who has been there. I am going to try to post every day this month. Please feel free to ask questions in the comments.

Moves:

Being a military family carries many challenges. Add a special needs child who is going to be moving and changing schools frequently. You can imagine the exponential stress involved.

We decided from the very beginning that we were going to be open about everything with everyone.

Every change of station meant new conversations with neighbors, churches, schools, and police. (Yes, police.) As your child matures, the number of people you will need to involve increases because their world has grown.

I visited and discussed our situation with all the neighbors, don’t forget to include new move-ins. What I shared changed as my son changed. It started as only “Please let me know if you see him out without an older sibling or me. Do not approach him; just call me.” Autistic kids can get violent when confronted by strangers. And they are amazingly strong. As he matured and his communication skills developed, neighbors could talk with him, ask him questions and remind him that he needed to go home. I wanted him to come back home. (My son was Houdini and a Ninja! No lock could stop him, he considered them challenges, and he was very stealthy.)

Because of our open communication with the neighbors, we prevented calls to the police, panic, and I had a lot of very necessary eyeballs helping me out.

My son’s favorite place to run-a-way to was the big bushes across the street. I am forever grateful for their big, teen boys who would bring him home every time, with a smile on their faces. They were terrific with him.

Our postal carrier also had a good sense of humor as my son was obsessed with the community mailbox and the postal vehicle. If the postal carrier opened a package compartment and my son was in there or if he was trying to catch a ride, the carrier would bring him home with a smile.

Keeping a positive relationship with your neighbors is definitely work, but it is worth it. It doesn’t always work, but that’s okay. Some will be reluctant, and that’s okay. Work with those who are willing. Share funny stories, share fears and tears, share gratitude, share love, and laughter.

Celebrate the small stuff. Be flexible. Laugh.
8 Comments
Brad Fesperman
4/15/2020 09:40:29 pm

I understand more about peoples struggles with things since my wife has been in the Boise State Social Work Program. I have also worked with and supervised troops with special need children's. It is definitely challenging because you are never sure how they will be accepted and treated. I have worked with a few children that had special needs in the church callings that I have help. Most people will not approach to help because they simply do not understand how to help or deal with a situation. I feel your pain.

Reply
Kaylynn Johnsen
4/16/2020 10:07:24 am

It is a natural tendency to be wary of the unknown. That is why we tried to be as open as possible and accepting of others reticence. Their feelings are valid too. Understanding is a two-way street.

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Debbie Potter
4/15/2020 09:43:46 pm

I love the openness and sense of community you created wherever you lived. Not only did it help and bless you and your son but your neighbors and friends were blessed to know and be a part of your lives.

Reply
Kaylynn Johnsen
4/16/2020 10:08:50 am

Our trials are lighter when they are shared. I love the story of the moving the grand piano. Everyone stands around the piano and lifts where they stand.

Reply
Breanna
4/15/2020 09:53:24 pm

I love how you talk about talking to as many people as you could about your situation. I feel like a lot of our problems could be avoided if we just let someone know what's going on. Thank you for the reminder that I need to open up more to people!!

Reply
Kaylynn Johnsen
4/16/2020 10:10:39 am

Be open, knowing that not everyone will be accepting, be open anyway. You may be surprised at how many people will want to help, talk, or even just hold your hand. We are a family.

Reply
Patricia A Gardner
4/16/2020 09:23:22 am

Keeping a positive attitude with the neighbors is always good, even if you don't have a special needs child.

Reply
Kaylynn Johsen
4/16/2020 10:15:27 am

It definitely makes life more pleasant.

Reply



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    Kaylynn Johnsen

    Just a Grandma with many stories to tell.

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