Welcoem to posts!!
in the future - u will be able to do some more stuff here,,,!! like pat catgirl- i mean um yeah... for now u can only see others's posts :c
Thursdays are Spelling Days: IT PROMISES KIND WORDS. I LIKE THAT. EXPLAIN IT TO PEOPLE.
BEING REALLY GRATEFUL SOUNDS REALLY NICE. HONESTY SEES THE BEST OF TRUE SELF.
COME TO SHARE YOURSELF. NO SPACE FOR DOUBT. NEW CALL FOR WILLPOWER.
TIME RUNS XTRA FAST. TIRED OF BEING SCARED. TONS TO DO. NO MORE SORROW.
TOWERS OF WISHES UNITED WITH DREAMS.
TRYING GOES RIGHT OVER MY SO STRESSED BODY. TRUE TROUBLES NEAR MY SIDE EVERY DAY. XTRA HELP TIRES MY CLEAN SLATE OF PURPOSE. YES REALLY FEAR OF FAILURE.
This is what Gabe had to say when we entered Ingridās office. Before we walked in we had to wait a little while. He was very energetic and loud which told me he had a lot on his mind to get out. He spelled almost nonstop for the entire session. One letter at a time, all of this. We didnāt have a chance to ask him anything about what made him say all of this. When he was done he got up to leave. He completed his mission. I am constantly in awe of his mind and ability to express himself. I have so many questions. As Iām reading this back I am wondering if he started off talking about the sign he is always reading on the wall. Reading this more makes me feel like he just wrote his own sign of messages he tells himself. I have no idea, but this is what comes to mind for me. I want to hear your thoughts!
We are thinking about doing a project with our followers and subscribers to make Gabeās words into art. The theme is going to based on the phrase āTowers of wishes united by dreamsā please let me know if you are interested in participating! Thank you!
#autism #nonspeaking #spelling #rpm #s2c #nonverbal #nonverbalautism #autismawareness #autismacceptance
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Mondays are Spelling Days!
DEAD RIGHT EAR LOW SOUND
Can you not hear out of your right ear?
RINGS
How long has this been going on for?
SHORT TIME
Were you in pain or uncomfortable?
PAIN
Are you in pain or is it getting better?
SOME
I reminded Gabe that he wasnāt going to school tomorrow because he has a dentist appointment. I said we can see his doctor to get medicine for his ear before we go. He screamed and tried to leave the office. We got him to come back and talked to him about why itās important to see the dentist and that it wonāt hurt, sheās just cleaning his teeth and looking. He was so upset kept walking around the room.
NOT FAIR WHY SO MUCH STRESS
Gabe indicated he wanted to talk about something else.
IS OVERWHELMING
IS ENOUGH DRAMA
I thought he was still talking about the dentist and all the tests heās had lately. I promised he was almost done, just one more appointment and then heās done for a long time.
THE HOUSE
Were you talking about the house or the tests or both?
ALL
LONG TIME THINKING ABOUT THE TIME WE HAD SOME REAL PEACE
Ingrid asks what gives you peace?
REST, MUSIC, SNACKS
TIRED NOW LONG WEEKEND
GO NOW
#autism #nonspeaking #spelling #nonverbal #nonverbalautism #stressedout #autismawareness #autismacceptance #autismmom #autismo
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2.1K - 94
Thursdays are Spelling Days!
EXPERIENCE OF MY SO WILD LIFE IS
MY BRAVE SELF TRYING MY BEST
Gabe has loved this sign in the picture shown here for as long as he has been coming to his sessions with Ingrid in this office. Today we noticed he had turned to it and was reading it. He was thinking. I began to read it out loud, I got through a few sentences before he grabbed his pencil and spelled
EXPERIENCE OF MY SO WILD LIFE IS
MY BRAVE SELF TRYING MY BEST
I was crying. I am so proud of him. He believes in himself.
That was how the session came to an end, but earlier in the session he started by acknowledging something that happened at our home two days ago.
ITāS SAD AFTER THE PLUS WORK DONE
SOME PROBLEM SORRY MOM
I knew what he was talking about, but I asked him to say what he was talking about.
HOUSE
We had our 2nd flood in the basement since the first one happened in July. This flood was much worse. A story for another time.
I thanked Gabe and I acknowledged how difficult the last couple of days have been, but it would be over soon.
He was smiling. Ingrid asked him if he wanted to say more or learn about a topic. He chose topic. He then spelled:
TRAIN INGRID, MOMS
He was asking Ingrid to train us. I talked to him about how we have realized it is harder at home to spell with us. I asked him if there was anything he could think of that might help.
TRYING YES
FEELS DIFFERENT
EXPERIENCE NOT EASY
Ingrid shared that this is not uncommon. We are not giving up, this is so important to him and us.
I told Gabe how much I want this when we left. He was so happy. It was an amazing session.
Now we are back home and ready for a demolition in the basement. Last time this happened we took off on our road trip to Colorado. Iām so ready for this situation to be over and done with. #autism #spelling #nonspeaking #nonverbal #nonverbalautism #autismmom #aac #rpm #s2c #autismo #autismawareness #autismacceptance
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4K - 195
Mondays are Spelling Days!
NO TROUBLE ERASING MEMORIES
WANT HAPPY NEW INSPIRATIONAL TIMES
PUT SADNESS TO THE SIDE
TOGETHER WE WILL TRIUMPH! I asked Gabe what is making him feel this way?
SPELLING
Spelling is giving him a reason to keep going. He sees how much his life is changing with Ingridās help. I acknowledged how many amazing things happened in his life since his last session including eating salmon for the first time, running and working out with Aaron, Bouldering at the climbing gym, meeting other spellers at the Sport Rock climbing gym. Asked Gabe about going this Sunday to the sensory group that climbs with Travis.
LOTS TO SAY ABOUT
I FEEL STRONG
WE FINE ROCK SPELLERS EVER SO SMART
Caroline walked in at this point and had an opportunity to practice. She asked him about the party he had talked about last week. He had shared he wanted to throw a party
DO US A KIND PARTY UNITED AND FUN
So, now we are planning a party and will continue to discuss it on Thursday! I am so happy Gabe feels so positively about the future. I didnāt bring up anything about the incident at the climbing gym, but I believe that Gabe was referring to it when he said āno trouble erasing memories want to have happy inspiration times put sadness to the side together we will triumph.ā #autism #autismmom #autismawareness #autismacceptance #nonverbal #nonspeaking #nonverbalautism #spelling
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2.8K - 130
Today something very sad and disturbing took place at Gabeās expense. Iām having difficulty collecting my thoughts but Iām going to try.
Gabe has few places he can go to where he is safe. When I say safe Iām talking about feeling welcomed and included.
When we joined Sport Rock Climbing gym last spring we realized right away that this gym was exactly the right place for Gabe. There are many individuals with autism who are members. There are climbing groups for nonspeakers. Everyone is welcome at Sport Rock. I have never experienced anyone treating him subhuman at his safe place until today.
As Gabe was climbing in the bouldering area of the gym Caroline and I were so excited for him. He has made so much progress. As you all know Gabe is autistic and has apraxia. He is nonspeaking and has motor planning challenges. He is also the strongest person I know. He works hard every day to get his body to listen to what his brain is telling it to do. Speaking is much harder than motor coordination for Gabe. He can make approximations for words, but also makes sounds when trying to communicate.
He was proud of himself as he went route to route, going higher each time he tried.
Then I saw it. Two boys who appeared to be in middle school were staring and laughing at Gabe very openly. They didnāt see me or Caroline noticing them as they laughed, look back at eachother, laughing again. The worst part, the mother of one of the boys stood there watching not saying a word.
At the same I began to say something Caroline asked them āis everything okā they said āyeah weāre just climbingā and began to laugh again!
I said āare you guys seriously laughing at my son right now in front of his face?ā I turned to speak to the mother and continued to repeat what was happening with her son and his friend although she was standing right there witnessing it. She did not say a word back to me. I told Caroline and Gabe how uncomfortable I felt and that we should leave. I wasnāt going to subject Gabe to being mocked. I let the mom know I have entire thing on film and still she didnāt say a word.
After we stepped out of the bouldering area to get our belongings I asked Caroline to try to talk to the mom again. I wasnāt satisfied with her lack of a response and no apology.
I stepped away with Gabe and later found out all she had to say was āI didnāt see itā
I know she saw it and I also informed her of it as she stood 5 feet away watching it happen.
Still unsatisfied I decided to speak to the front desk. I cannot begin to describe how caring and kind the people who work at Sport Rock are. It matters to them that kids like Gabe feel safe and included there. They took this matter very seriously and I am extremely grateful for this. They handled it.
I donāt know if Gabe will want to go back, the damage was done. It instantly reminded me of Gabeās spelling sessions last year when he was in 8th Grade and he was finally able to share about his feelings. He begged for a new school. He talked about teasing eyes. Kids laughing at him and the other students in his program too. I have not heard one thing about being teased since he started high school. Gabe is finally happy at school and in general. He works so hard to do things that come easy for everyone else. To be made fun of so boldly as he was today was shocking and unacceptable.
I wanted to share this story to get it off my chest, but to ask you all to talk to your kids while they are young about people who have differences and kindness. It was very obvious that the mom we encountered today never had that conversation with her kids. Maybe she mocks disabled individuals herself. I canāt comprehend why this happened today, but it did and it literally ruined our day and possibly Gabeās entire climbing experience in the future. #autism #bekind #inclusionmatters
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3.1K - 577
I have news!!!
As many of our followers know, Gabe has been struggling with food for years! We have recently had multiple tests run and are still waiting on the results. We are hoping to find out if he has sensitivities and what foods we should eliminate and try to encourage. Hopefully we will get those answers soon!
Gabe has a very limited diet. He would love to eat bread or pizza for every meal. The other night that changed!
Gabe was willing to try grilled salmon! He ate almost all of the piece we gave to him! Even though he ate most of it, that doesnāt mean he will ever try it again. He is 15 years old and ate salmon, a fish for the first time.
This happened after his spelling session with Ingrid. I believe these sessions are helping him do more than just communicate. He is more confident. He did say he wants to try new things. Maybe he means food in addition to experiences like traveling! #autism #arfid #nonspeaking
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4.3K - 191
Thursdays are Spelling Days!
EACH TEAM DID THE BEST
EMPTY REASONS TROUBLED FACTS
IS THE BEST TO COME?
EVER TO FIND YOURSELF
NEVER GIVE UP
We asked Gabe what he was talking about
THE ELECTION
We began to talk about something unrelated and then Gabe spelled
LOVE TO HAVE A PARTY
Where? SCHOOL TIME IS SO GOOD IS COMING
HOPE LOTS OF FUN
TIME TO DANCE
We did have a party for Bailey, our golden retriever who turned 8 on Election Day. It was small, but there was singing and dancing!
I quickly brought up about seeing his favorite band again where we could dance. We are trying to decide about traveling to see STS9 but it would require flying to New Orleans
DO WANT TO GO NOT HOT FOR PLANE
I loved his Hot To Go reference. I also thought it was a good time to let him know that New Orleans was his dadās favorite place in the world, but he never had the chance to visit. I told him how much Iām sure he would have liked to go there with him. It was too much. Gabe was overwhelmed so we changed the subject.
Ingrid decided to do a lesson on Native Americans. She played a short video about the history and misinformation about Native Americans no longer existing. She asked the question what comes to mind when you hear that Native Americans are not dead?
IS NEW GENERATION
With that he got up to leave. Great session!
#autism #nonspeaking #spelling #hottogo #spellers #aac #rpm #s2c #nonverbal #nonverbalautism
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1.8K - 69
Mondays are Spelling Days! OPEN TO NEW THINGS THANK YOU SO MUCH MOMS
Todayās session was different than usual. Caroline joined us and Iāve noticed that whenever a new person joins it takes a bit longer for Gabe to focus. He stated in the beginning that he was feeling tired. He says this every session when he begins.
Gabe wanted us to start. I chose to bring up the medical tests heās had to take since last week. I told him how great he did and now we will wait to find out the results and the next steps.
TEST OVER I HOPE
We spent a lot of time talking about medical issues. Then Caroline asked Gabe about his experience in the flight simulator from a couple of weeks ago. We asked what he found hard about it as well as what he liked about it.
Hard: REALLY FAST
Liked: SKY and CREW
Would you do it again?
AGAIN
The next thing Gabe spelled was
OPEN TO NEW THINGS
THANK YOU SO MUCH MOMS
That was the greatest feeling to be acknowledged. We already know how appreciative Gabe is, but it was so awesome to see him spell that!
Ingrid had a lesson set up about the election.
She asked Gabe if he wanted to hear about Harris or Trump first in the lesson. I said whatever you say is a secret.
Gabe spelled MY VOTE IS SECRET and laughed! #autism #spelling #nonspeaking
(This was from earlier in the week)
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2.1K - 96
Thursdays Are Spelling Days! AT SOME POINT TELL ME ABOUT SESSION WITH NEXT DOCTOR
Ingrid and I explained to Gabe about the next steps. He was going to have bloodwork and another type of test that required his cooperation.
UNDER SOME STRESS ALREADY
Next we talked about Halloween which was the day this session took place. I reminded him of our plans.
EXPECT FUN TIME TONIGHT
I asked him if he wanted to walk around the neighborhood to trick or treat or give out candy or both?
TONIGHT BOTH
Then he began a poem:
TRY STAYING POSITIVE
REST NOT ENOUGH
SAY NOT ENOUGH
PLAY EVERMORE
LIVE NOW
Gabe was saying a lot in this session. We were just about out of time and I was dying to know about the Best Buddies Program at his school. It started that day and Gabe had expressed being a bit nervous about it in a prior spelling session. His teacher is in charge of the Best Buddies program and had shown me pics of Gabe and his buddy Tory. I actually saw the photos posted on Instagram too and pulled them up and showed Gabe and Ingrid.
I asked Gabe what he thought about meeting Tory.
TORY IS NICE
ROCK ON FOR NEXT MEET
Sounds like it went well and he is looking forward to spending more time with her!
#autism #spelling #nonverbal
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3.1K - 82
We started the process of getting the tests that Gabe requested last week during his spelling session. He was fed up with his stomach issues and demanded tests. So proud of him for advocating for himself. Step one was seeing the pediatrician to discuss the situation and get referrals to both a GI and allergist. Luckily I was able to get that appointment scheduled the next day and we went from there. As you can see in this photo which was taken at his pediatricianās office he was happy. He wants to get better.
I then spend the next days trying to find a GI who can see him sooner than January, but was unsuccessful. I did however find an allergist.
On Friday I kept him home from school to have allergy tests and bloodwork. The bloodwork was ordered by a nutritionist. We have now learned seeing a GI is not the way to go in Gabeās situation. He needs tests that will tell us what he is sensitive to. We got the bloodwork done and have one more test we are waiting on and hope I by the end of the month we will know much more. Some of you had recommended GI Mapping which is what we are doing.
We are excited to be closer to finding out how we can help Gabe. #autism #nonspeaking
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Welcome to our channel! We are so happy you are here! My name is Nikki and my partner Caroline and I are Gabe's Moms. Gabe is the most fun, loving, energetic and kind 13 year old we know. Gabe is autistic and nonverbal and we created this channel to connect with other families like ours and to share our story. We hope you will join us on this journey of love, happiness and growth!