My autistic son Luke was discharged recently after a month in a Washington State King County Evaluation and Treatment Center. My understanding is these treatment centers are partially funded by the State of Washington. They do short-stay commitments for clients who present with severe mental illness. Luke has now returned to voluntary placement, although with extreme changes that include living in a hotel!
Having an adult son with autism has hard and complicating challenges. My first time hearing Luke’s diagnosis in 1994 made me numb. It did not seem real.
Happy Birthday to the best guy ever. Autism does not define you my son. What I see in you is amazing love that others can not even come close to realizing in their own lives. You have no understanding of lusting for money or materialism. You may live in a world made of your own design, but it is better in many ways to the cruel world the rest of us live in.
I hope and pray for you and want what is always best for you. You have family all over the country and they have missed out on getting to know you. I am grateful to the family you have in your friends.
You are 24 years old. You have a dad and mom who will love you for as long as we are here on earth with you . I know you love God and He will always have you until you meet Him in person .
Can we talk about autism? Or better yet the impact of autism on an individual? My son Luke is now an adult. His disability affects him in many ways.
While on a fun trip downtown to Seattle, Luke always enjoys the sights and sounds surrounding him. As his mom, I can notice when he feels overwhelmed. It is in those times we have to slow him down.
At home he will lay around, but it is not his usual. Luke likes pacing. I am sure this is genetic! His dad and brother do the same! If we do not put the pause button on Luke, however, his brain will go into overdrive. This causes him extreme stress. As family we notice this. Others will not recognize the symptoms as easily.
Luke’s care providers know this about him too, but it took a lot of training. Being a provider for Luke can hold special circumstances due to Luke’s strength.
Can we talk about that strength of Luke’s? I swear you would think he was the Incredible Hulk. He has broken so many things when he is upset. I decided long ago pretty things in my home weren’t important any longer !
Can you talk now and tell me – are you able to let go and not get upset if you lose every material possession you find precious to you ? I learned long ago I could.
Photos taken over two decades ago like the one above find popularity in their grasp of thematics such as mother/son bonding. My autistic son is in a blue outfit that I simply adored.
Perhaps the adornment was because I love my son so much , but the cute attire was no doubt a favorite of mine. The color blue is so peaceful to me. The blue is seen in the skies. Blues are also associated with boys.
What also comes to mind is the pictures I have taken of stellar jays. Their blue bodies are gorgeous and always a fave picture to my readers.
I thought today a lot of why I write. My perception was I was writing for myself. Yet as my audience grew, the writing did too. I make no false assumptions here as alesiablogs is still for me. To be sure of this,however, I post this photo of one of the most important men in my life.
Freshly pressed has been a dream of mine. Could I ever write to the level of such prestige to gain that honor ? It remains to be seen , but as I create my own art in prose, it is my dream that my art is pleasing to myself and the reader. Today I felt inclined to please myself and show off my cute boy. Mr. Luke I adore you just the way God made you.
The sun is shining. It is back to nature for me. My backyard is stunning with birds this morning! 
My son made me smile looking at things a little different! The little mermaid float came by at Seattle’s Macy Parade. Got to love that smile!!
Happy Weekend everyone! I am literally recovering more ways than one!!
My son Luke is preparing for his first day of work on his new job. Last week , I was asked by a new site devoted to stories about how the disability autism impacts a family. Feel free to go to this link and read my work published on another site. Elizabeth also has a disabled son living in the Seattle area:
http://elizabethgriffin.com/category/your-stories/
Thankful to Chuck for the job for Luke!
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