PERSONAL NARRATIVE
MY SON , A MAC IN A PC WORLD
By Tasha WOOTEN
As a parent of a child diagnosed with autism , I had to adjust to my son ’ s interests and not my own . It took a lot of practice and patience . Put yourself in your child ’ s shoes . Imagine a world where everything is chronically overwhelming to all five of your senses . I always say , “ My son is a ‘ MAC in a PC World .’” He is wired and formatted differently . Who cares about popularity contests ? I had to think more like him . I had to be more complicatedly formatted as a human .
During meltdowns and behavioral issues , we talk and hug a lot until he is calm . It is the reassurance that helps him relax . In the worst cases , I force him to take a warm bath . Anyone knows a warm bath will relax you within minutes . A blue bath is even better !
Tasha Wooten is mother to six-yearold Hunter who is in first grade . He is brilliantly smart , handsome , and very lovable . He is the “ HERO OF THE DAY ” almost every day in his class . Hunter has great manners and respects everyone . He may be the only child , fatherless , and have an orphan mother , but he is still the happiest kid on earth , all because we laugh , sing , dance , and take warm baths .
How do I make him extremely happy ? Every day we laugh , sing , and dance . Before he could talk , we used a tablet . Some say hugging is not an option . Try stroking your child ’ s hair , face , hand , or shoulder , or just smile from across the room . If I am calm , he is calm . If I am angry , he is angry . As a parent , you do not decide how they think . As a parent , you decide how to be a better person .
48 | Autism Parenting Magazine | Issue 74