tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post4210783298053328080..comments2024-03-17T12:02:12.410-04:00Comments on Love That Max : Helping kids with special needs make friendsEllen Seidmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01433429847255621203noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-24591975529717005842012-11-10T15:35:11.547-05:002012-11-10T15:35:11.547-05:00My name is Anna and I'm 12 with high functioni...My name is Anna and I'm 12 with high functioning autism. I don't know what I'd do without Max on the Internet. He inspires me. I like the Cars movies. He helped me to see how being special is a good thing. I can play the flute. :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-53983989158199289352012-01-14T20:38:54.775-05:002012-01-14T20:38:54.775-05:00My Max is 18 months old. Thank u for this story. ...My Max is 18 months old. Thank u for this story. I can only hope that my heart is strong enough for this in the future. And my tears dont flow as easily.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-51852992128391675412012-01-11T17:42:24.366-05:002012-01-11T17:42:24.366-05:00Thanks for this post - I still sometimes get tongu...Thanks for this post - I still sometimes get tongue-tied when I try to explain what's going on with my son to other kids - or I don't use simple enough language and they get bored and walk away. Your example here and in previous posts have really helped me.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18230387878463331527noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-16455935723531136632012-01-11T09:58:09.667-05:002012-01-11T09:58:09.667-05:00Really love love how you handled this situation! E...Really love love how you handled this situation! Encouraging the other kids to talk to Max instead of you allow everyone to shine. Thank you for sharing your story som we can learn from it.Sandrahttp://www.ourspecialfamiliesvillage.orgnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-29763065693329308742012-01-11T02:12:38.815-05:002012-01-11T02:12:38.815-05:00How wonderful! Laughter is addicting, especially ...How wonderful! Laughter is addicting, especially when it's joyous! My little guy is wary of strangers and very rarely smiles at them. I hope he will be able to overcome it...at least a little!Bea, OThttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08301207485195668332noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-13442834731976461392012-01-10T09:17:26.144-05:002012-01-10T09:17:26.144-05:00Thanks for sharing this. It warmed my heart that t...Thanks for sharing this. It warmed my heart that the 12yo really seemed to pave the way for the younger child to accept Max. I echo the others in applauding your abiity to remain calm and cheerful when responding to the 7yo's questions. I can only imagine how difficult it is not to become defensive or upset at those moments.Megnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-43814270171844839622012-01-10T08:25:14.535-05:002012-01-10T08:25:14.535-05:00Wonderful! That gave me today's best smile! Ne...Wonderful! That gave me today's best smile! Next time, those two boys will know who Max is, hopefully say hi to him, and maybe even explain to their friends who he is (and feel kind of important because they know) - and children listen better to their friends than to unknown adults....Milenahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18042828734758536970noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-2917112517283737292012-01-10T02:42:45.372-05:002012-01-10T02:42:45.372-05:00The FDA has not yet labeled it an addictive substa...The FDA has not yet labeled it an addictive substance, but someday they just might.<br /><br /> to funney ellen great postAZ Chapmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07649451111980332722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-87050151279901283742012-01-10T00:02:23.837-05:002012-01-10T00:02:23.837-05:00Yeah, I was thinking that. It could make Max's...Yeah, I was thinking that. It could make Max's popularity ratings soar!Ellen Seidmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01433429847255621203noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-27099315310926699392012-01-09T23:21:42.540-05:002012-01-09T23:21:42.540-05:00You may end up having to buy a trampoline, you kno...You may end up having to buy a trampoline, you know!Felicianoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-50418124960983338312012-01-09T22:22:42.119-05:002012-01-09T22:22:42.119-05:00I am glad this inspired some of you. Trust me, it&...I am glad this inspired some of you. Trust me, it's taken me a long time to be able to respond this way. I used to get tongue-tied, or I'd just despair and not say a word. <br /> <br />Cranky Mommy (who sounds not cranky at all): I hadn't even thought of it but you're right, I think the physical activity really paved the way. Or bounced the way, or something like that. <br /><br />And Amy, it is such a mixed blessing when a kid can perceive these things, isn't it? Max isn't yet aware that other kids stare or are wary of him. I actually do wish, as warped as it sounds, that someday he will have that understanding (and then, I'll help him deal). I'm sorry for that Halloween moment with Emma; at 12, a kid should know better.Ellen Seidmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01433429847255621203noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-25571558824106319792012-01-09T21:22:41.093-05:002012-01-09T21:22:41.093-05:00As an adult, Billy has found ways to engage others...As an adult, Billy has found ways to engage others. He walks up to people and says "Hi, I'm Billy!" Who can resist that? Then he asks them simple questions like "You got a dog?" and they are conversing.<br /><br />When we do presentations for high school kids, he walks into the room and they either stare or look away. Soon he asks them about a certain TV show (like 2 1/2 men) and they are communicating.<br /><br />He is better at this than I am.Jane Schulzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12469491915306525613noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-36362283789241534752012-01-09T20:51:18.556-05:002012-01-09T20:51:18.556-05:00This post made me very emotional because I so stru...This post made me very emotional because I so struggle with having the courage to do what you did with those boys. It's a bit harder for us because Emma is not as friendly as Maxd. She is more reserved, studying. She is also sensitive to comments these days. On Halloween, a girl about 12 asked those say questions about Emma. Emma stopped trying to talk and told me, "I wonna go home now."<br /><br />I admire you courage and consistency and your ability to think fast on your feet for those "just right" answers.<br /><br />I know Max will thank you for this effort one day too.<br /><br />This definitely made my heart smile and motivates me to want to try a bit harder.<br /><br />Is there anyway that you could bottle up some of that infectious Max laughter and forward it our way? That sure would be a great ice breaker.Amyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11818818093248788832noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-4605354312520050362012-01-09T19:41:49.406-05:002012-01-09T19:41:49.406-05:00I really loved this post; I could envision the ent...I really loved this post; I could envision the entire scene playing out in my head just by reading your words. And I could see Max's smile and hear his laugh, which made me smile - and I had a tough afternoon today, so this really helped turn it around! Thanks so much for sharing. :)Sabrina Steylinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10502908654294596013noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-48570567337994940012012-01-09T19:11:19.098-05:002012-01-09T19:11:19.098-05:00What a beautiful story. Thank you for sharing. M...What a beautiful story. Thank you for sharing. My little guy is 9 months old; your writing helps me have hope for his future.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-54485729625100853522012-01-09T15:26:00.421-05:002012-01-09T15:26:00.421-05:00This made me smile through my tears!!! THis is exa...This made me smile through my tears!!! THis is exactly what I do for Olivia...it's not easy, but it's what we have to do!!! The FDA is still working on Olivia's smile too... ;)Tiffanyhttp://www.elastamom.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-3838519392128999512012-01-09T14:44:32.426-05:002012-01-09T14:44:32.426-05:00Ellen I love that you chose to educate the younger...Ellen I love that you chose to educate the younger kid instead of snapping at him like I would have you are really a great mom :)Nishahttp://nisha360.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-74350854321117528452012-01-09T13:19:42.169-05:002012-01-09T13:19:42.169-05:00Great story! I get very sad very quickly at how o...Great story! I get very sad very quickly at how other kids act around my boys, but I remind myself that my being sad helps nobody, and I better buck up and help them make friends.Bonnie@TheFragileXFileshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15949930490509336767noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-21310169734009377532012-01-09T12:10:02.090-05:002012-01-09T12:10:02.090-05:00Just BEAUTIFUL....I loved this! I know this feeli...Just BEAUTIFUL....I loved this! I know this feeling all too well. It's so interesting and tremendously comforting to read another mother's perspective. Thank you for writing this :)Larahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00011535982560478465noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-66039572047806854912012-01-09T11:44:06.634-05:002012-01-09T11:44:06.634-05:00Ditto to Melanie's comment. I also always rem...Ditto to Melanie's comment. I also always remember your "chocolate ice cream" tip/story. Great icebreaker.mymomshopshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09909337957811111720noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-56615448614818252052012-01-09T11:35:11.586-05:002012-01-09T11:35:11.586-05:00This warms my heart! Kids do have a non verbal en...This warms my heart! Kids do have a non verbal energy that makes it easier while engaging in physical activity. Actions speak louder than words. Good for you for engaging those boys!Cranky Mommyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05492412292081111365noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-37618974120306034442012-01-09T11:24:49.127-05:002012-01-09T11:24:49.127-05:00wow -- good for you!wow -- good for you!BLOOM - Parenting Kids With Disabilitieshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06901482901008135659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-78114510196493429482012-01-09T11:17:08.660-05:002012-01-09T11:17:08.660-05:00I like this, Ellen. I like how you handled the qu...I like this, Ellen. I like how you handled the questions, how you kept Max involved, and gently "educated" a child unsure of Max. Good stuff!<br /><br />AND - if you figure out how to bottle Max's addictive laughter, then you can sell it and retire! :)AlongCameTheBirdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04590432394118183751noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-63751759635211987702012-01-09T09:57:38.814-05:002012-01-09T09:57:38.814-05:00Thank you so much for this! I have to learn how t...Thank you so much for this! I have to learn how to do this for my son.AutismWonderlandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16264928687181454025noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-27096964722344481122012-01-09T09:28:45.204-05:002012-01-09T09:28:45.204-05:00Its def uncomfortable, but lately I find that othe...Its def uncomfortable, but lately I find that other kids questions about Owen's difference trigger curiosity from owen himself. He never knew they were different in that way... I've been struggling the last year or so about how to explain Owen's autism to owen. To everyone else, I've got the script down pat. But to Owen, its totally different. The natural context of kids playing together has been helpful with this. I'm sure you can agree. Now those little boys on the trampoline know more about Max than they did the day before. I wish adults were more like that. I'd take a hundred questions about owen and his special needs over one disapproving look any day of the week.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com