I can see clearly now the rain is gone...

Johnny Nash's words ring deep with me. I can clearly see that when the raincloud known as Autism is not compromising Hunters sensory system he can see and function clearly :)

I can see clearly now, the rain is gone,
I can see all obstacles in my way
Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind
It's gonna be a bright (bright), bright (bright)
Sun-Shiny day.

I think I can make it now, the pain is gone
All of the bad feelings have disappeared
Here is the rainbow I've been prayin for
It's gonna be a bright (bright), bright (bright)
Sun-Shiny day.

Look all around, there's nothin?but blue skies
Look straight ahead, nothin but blue skies

I can see clearly now, the rain is gone,
I can see all obstacles in my way
Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind
It's gonna be a bright (bright), bright (bright)
Sun-Shiny day.

Castle in the Clouds...

I wanted to share an amazing moment with Hunter :) A month or so ago I was getting Hunter dressed and in that moment was curious as to whether or not he dreams and remembers. So I asked him...

Me: Hunter, when you are sleeping do you see pictures in your eyes?

Hunter: Yes... I fly up in da sky and in da clouds and fly to the castle in da sky. I go up up up and fly and with wings to da sky... He continued to talk about this for over an hour!

I shared this dream with a few people and it really touched us :) Several weeks later I was getting Hunter ready for bed so I said to him...

Me: Hunter, are you ready to go night night?

Hunter: Yes I go way up in the clouds and I fly without my wings.

Several days later his daddy asked him if he flies in his room, his reply was...

Hunter: Yes, I fly with da ghosts. He also added that they do not have wings but have hair.

One thing we have learned about Hunter is he shares experiences, he doesn't create stories yet so that means these dreams are very real to him and clearly vivid enough for him to remember them :)

One would say he is experiencing beautiful dreams and proud to share them or (depending on your spiritual beliefs) one would say that while he sleeps he is visiting Heaven, the beautiful place and the castle in the clouds from which we all came :)

He wouldn't play with me...

This sadly is a common complaint from my other two boys. Or Hunter will play but it is on his terms or it wasn't exactly how Hunter envisioned it and it leads to alot of screaming. My boys have learned an incredible way to draw Hunter into their play, many thanks to his therapy team!!

If an autistic child (or any child for that matter) wouldn't join your play, join theirs first! Use what they are doing as a magnet to draw them to your plan of action. This photo is the funniest thing ever :) My oldest son Daniel had NO idea I caught him in action with Hunter, lol. Hunter LOVES is Thomas tent, IMAGINE THAT! :) So Daniel joined him. His 6'4" body didn't quite fit as you can see. TOO FUNNY! And they had a BALL :)