Walk Now For Autism Speaks - UTAH

This year our family is walking in the Walk Now for Autism Speaks - Utah Chapter.  Autism Speaks is a world wide charity organization.  We are really excited to give back to such a wonderful community.  We know first hand how beneficial being a part of a community of support means to a special needs family. 

If you would like to walk or donate to our team click on the link below. 
We would love to have a great turnout to support SPACESHIP MAX!! 
The walk is:

 SEPTEMBER 12th, 2015 

Sandy, Utah

South Towne Expo Center 9575 South State Street Sandy, UT 84070 - See more at: http://www.walknowforautismspeaks.org/faf/help/helpEventInfo.asp?ievent=1137386&lis=1&kntae1137386=CA431B1F9BAE4AA488E00F44CA7B808E#sthash.RdtjqmXs.dpuf

Sou

South Towne Expo Center 9575 South State Street Sandy, UT 84070 - See more at: http://www.walknowforautismspeaks.org/faf/help/helpEventInfo.asp?ievent=1137386&lis=1&kntae1137386=CA431B1F9BAE4AA488E00F44CA7B808E#sthash.RdtjqmXs.dpuf

South Towne Expo Center 

Here is the link to become a part of Team Spaceship Max:

South Towne Expo Center 9575 South State Street Sandy, UT 84070 - See more at: http://www.walknowforautismspeaks.org/faf/help/helpEventInfo.asp?ievent=1137386&lis=1&kntae1137386=CA431B1F9BAE4AA488E00F44CA7B808E#sthash.RdtjqmXs.dpuf

South Towne Expo Center 9575 South State Street Sandy, UT 84070 - See more at: http://www.walknowforautismspeaks.org/faf/help/helpEventInfo.asp?ievent=1137386&lis=1&kntae1137386=CA431B1F9BAE4AA488E00F44CA7B808E#sthash.RdtjqmXs.dpuf

http://www.walknowforautismspeaks.org/faf/search/searchTeamPart.asp?ievent=1137386&lis=1&kntae1137386=CA431B1F9BAE4AA488E00F44CA7B808E&supId=0&team=6429013&cj=Y

Castle Trucks

Hi, it's the dad here. My name is Will. Nice to meet you.

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One of the things I have had to learn with Max is how to enter his world. One of the best ways to do this is just through play. We've been on a LEGO/DUPLO kick lately so we build them a lot.

A LOT.

But we don't build just anything with our highly-sophisticated-interlocking-brick-system. We build trucks. Big trucks with 5 separate sets of wheels. And bulldozer, airplane, and firetruck parts. We call them castle trucks.

It's awesome. Max, Dexter and I all love it. And it helps us connect.

Triggers for Autism

Autism is complicated.  Every child is different.  Every situation for every child is different.  It is unpredictable.  There are definite triggers that can be seen and hopefully be used to prevent major meltdowns. 

The following chart is the best I have seen to visually illustrate the triggers that can set off a child with Autism and SPD (Sensory Process Disorder):

http://www.potsot.com/infographic-triggers-of-behavior-for-children-with-autism-and-spd.html

Some triggers for Max are unfamiliar places with people he doesn't know.  Max has high social anxiety, and hates walking into a new room of people.  Max doesn't like clothes at all.  He would rather be naked with a diaper all day.  He likes soft cotton only.  He doesn't like anything tight on his body, or anything with tags.  Max doesn't like loud noises that come from random places.  He can hear better than anyone I know, so when there are a lot of noises coming from multiple venues he gets very agitated.  This is why a bowling alley, fireworks, large parties, etc. are so overstimulating and hard for Max.

We try our hardest to anticipate meltdowns and what environments will be overstimulating.  But we also want Max to experience the world.  We want him to try new things even if it does cause a meltdown.  We also want to make sure he learns how to manage meltdowns.  So if we are out somewhere are you hear a screaming child, just remember they could be in the middle of a major Autism meltdown and be kind to the parent and child.  In general, be kind to one another.