Kaylynn Johnsen
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Austism Mama Writing

Worship

4/19/2020

6 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.

Worship:

Sabbath worship. Anyone with kids knows it is a challenge. Add a special need/disability to the mix, and you wonder, is it worth it? YES! I learned a lot from reading about Temple Grandin. Her mother forced, yes forced, her to learn how to behave in society, and if you want your child to grow, you will too.

Sitting still, being quiet (if you haven't reached reverence yet that is okay), and staying dressed. Rewards go along way. Quiet entertainment that is reserved for Sunday makes it a special treat.

Handing your child the Sacrament, when they are young, prevents disaster.

Talk to your child's teachers, give them tips, and educate them on your child's triggers. Ask the teachers to avoid perfumes/colognes and dangly, shiny jewelry in class. If possible, have your child meet the teachers and explore the room before Sunday. Be prepared to attend class with your child, but resist the urge to teach. You are the parent, but in this case, you are also a student.

And as with all children, you will need to adjust as your child develops and matures.

Wrap-around sunglasses and earplugs ARE appropriate if your child needs them. You can help the teachers in how best to explain this to the rest of the class.

 Zipper ties and loafers are sanity savers in the early years.

 Celebrate the small stuff. Be flexible. Laugh.
6 Comments
Maryann Udy
4/20/2020 02:30:51 pm

Beautifully written Kaylynn. You are a great example of a loving mother and how to move forward with love, learning and patience.

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Kaylynn Johnsen
4/22/2020 11:53:12 am

Thank you Maryann, I appreciate your sweet words. We all need encouragement.

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Janelle
4/20/2020 09:34:47 pm

I think educating others is a huge game-changer for sure. I feel like a broken record telling everyone about anxiety, but it has helped us to be more functional.

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Kaylynn Johnsen
4/22/2020 11:54:44 am

I remember thinking that I needed a t-shirt I could wear or cards I could hand out. Sometimes it is hard to find the time to educate and share. I admire your courage. Keep it up.

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Chelsea
4/22/2020 07:11:29 pm

This is what I struggle with with my son. He refuses to sit. We bring cars, books, treats and let him draw on the phone or play a silent game on the phone and it still isn't enough to keep him in the pew. He HAS to go to the nursery room. He has meltdowns every Sunday. Last time I took some advice from a friend and when he ran out of Sacrament I made him sit with me in the foyer with nothing to do and refused to let him go to nursery early. The idea was to teach him that the fun was in the sacrament meeting and not outside. He completely LOST i . I had to take him into the parking lot to scream and scream and one of the ladies outside told me that there are programs for kids like mine to learn how to sit still and that maybe there was a diagnosable reason he wasnt able to already. Some say you should practice at home. I dont think my boy has autism, but I am at my wits end with it.

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Kaylynn Johnsen
4/23/2020 03:21:30 pm

Chelsea, there are so many variable that can be having an impact. Time of day, under or over stimulation, clothing (you would not believe the impact), hunger. I am going to text you. I love you. You are a great mom!

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    Kaylynn Johnsen

    Just a Grandma with many stories to tell.

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