http://coehp.uark.edu/colleague/10988.php
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Applied Behavior Analysis Offers Hope, Tools to Parents, Teachers
An article that relates a little part of our journey. Thanks, Becky Butler Lambert, for sending me the link. Thank you, Amanda Himes, for doing this interview. Thanks, UA, for promoting awareness, and thanks Beth Hayes McKee for bringing ABA therapy to our neck of the woods! And thank our God for Logan's progress -- he's come so far since August.
http://coehp.uark.edu/colleague/10988.php
http://coehp.uark.edu/colleague/10988.php
Sunday, April 8, 2012
A Chat with Danny: Autism as God's Mercy
J: Danny, we have been potty training Logan all week long. It's exhausting, but I feel closer to him than ever.
D: no problem -- I've been reading all of your postings and your struggles have been in my thoughts and prayers for a while
J: Do you know, I feel that Logan and his autistic condition is 1 of God's most merciful acts in my life?
D: How so?
J: It gives me REAL practice in daily taking up a cross. I have been far too selfish all my life to really try.
D: I think you are learning the true nature of Christianity, constant service to others that causes you to lose your own identity, but ironically giving you a sense of purpose (as Jesus said, only when you deny yourself do you find yourself, or something along those lines)
J: God gave me this to get my attention when nothing else worked. I actually remember asking God while we waited for this 1st child to be born, that if we had a child with any kind of disability, that it would be something like yours, Danny, [hearing impairment] because you were such a dear friend of mine, and you made such a difference in my life.
D: Thanks. I wouldn't have known if you hadn't told me. But you did more for me by your persistent effort to get me to attend church, and my identity as a Christian is due in large part to your consistent effort and especially unconditional inclusion into your circle of friends. I still remember you writing a letter in 4th grade asking me to join you and Antony in some kind of venture (a movie club?)
Especially in high school, I was poised to move in a non-Christian direction, but you were a positive influence, reminding me and grounding me in my Christian faith
J: Thanks, Danny, I love those memories! I still think of Anthony's friendship too as golden years. So much creativity back then. But you confronted me with such logic when we were kids. You helped me see that I was not treating others right. you helped me more than anyone to judge my own behavior just as closely as I judged others'.
D: it was a formative, mutually enriching relationship and I can only pray that my kids will have something similar
J: I think often about our weekend trips to Ivanhoe. Your parents were so kind and generous. That example has stuck with me. And we did so many fun things at the lakehouse. I will never forget that.
D: great times! hey, what a great conversation and especially a treat to have a live conversation! I need to go to pick up Taylor at a birthday party. But let's do stay in touch! Tell Amanda I said hi! I don't think I've seen her since the wedding, but hopefully our paths will cross someday!
J: Danny, thanks so much. I have missed you over the years, but I know always that you're in God's good hands. Take care, brother!
D: no problem -- I've been reading all of your postings and your struggles have been in my thoughts and prayers for a while
J: Do you know, I feel that Logan and his autistic condition is 1 of God's most merciful acts in my life?
D: How so?
J: It gives me REAL practice in daily taking up a cross. I have been far too selfish all my life to really try.
D: I think you are learning the true nature of Christianity, constant service to others that causes you to lose your own identity, but ironically giving you a sense of purpose (as Jesus said, only when you deny yourself do you find yourself, or something along those lines)
J: God gave me this to get my attention when nothing else worked. I actually remember asking God while we waited for this 1st child to be born, that if we had a child with any kind of disability, that it would be something like yours, Danny, [hearing impairment] because you were such a dear friend of mine, and you made such a difference in my life.
D: Thanks. I wouldn't have known if you hadn't told me. But you did more for me by your persistent effort to get me to attend church, and my identity as a Christian is due in large part to your consistent effort and especially unconditional inclusion into your circle of friends. I still remember you writing a letter in 4th grade asking me to join you and Antony in some kind of venture (a movie club?)
Especially in high school, I was poised to move in a non-Christian direction, but you were a positive influence, reminding me and grounding me in my Christian faith
J: Thanks, Danny, I love those memories! I still think of Anthony's friendship too as golden years. So much creativity back then. But you confronted me with such logic when we were kids. You helped me see that I was not treating others right. you helped me more than anyone to judge my own behavior just as closely as I judged others'.
D: it was a formative, mutually enriching relationship and I can only pray that my kids will have something similar
J: I think often about our weekend trips to Ivanhoe. Your parents were so kind and generous. That example has stuck with me. And we did so many fun things at the lakehouse. I will never forget that.
D: great times! hey, what a great conversation and especially a treat to have a live conversation! I need to go to pick up Taylor at a birthday party. But let's do stay in touch! Tell Amanda I said hi! I don't think I've seen her since the wedding, but hopefully our paths will cross someday!
J: Danny, thanks so much. I have missed you over the years, but I know always that you're in God's good hands. Take care, brother!
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