Quincy's Son-Rise Garage Sale
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Our son Quincy stopped speaking at the age of 15 months. He stopped making eye contact and began engaging in exclusive and repetitive behaviors. At the age of 3, he was diagnosed with autism. At the time, I was devastated. I was so afraid of him being in special education classrooms, unable to speak, not potty trained, and unable to take care of himself. As a result, I was found it very difficult to enjoy him. I could only compare him to other neuro-typical children and see how different he was. At first, his dad and I embarked on therapies to help him become less autistic. We wanted him to appear normal and were constantly comparing him to other children. We very rarely appreciated him for what and who he was.
Then we discovered the Son-Rise program. The Son-Rise program advocates joining in the very behaviors that most other professionals insist you stop your children from engaging in. These are the behaviors that usually look the most “autistic”. By joining the child in these behaviors, you are communicating a sense of acceptance and love. During play time with Quincy, we allow him to determine the activities and to assert his interest. We try to be respectful of his needs in terms of space and interaction. When he does allow us into his world, we celebrate the eye contact, the language or the other unspoken invitations he gives us. We also try to build on the interaction, by encouraging language and non-verbal gestures that expand his communication with us. We do all this by allowing him to be himself and never judging or deeming his behavior to be “too autistic.”
Quincy is now potty trained. He speaks regularly with multiple words and phrases. He is making more eye contact and is more engaged with us. He says Mommy and I love you. Because of this program, we see Quincy’s autism as an opportunity learn how to love unconditionally. Harrison and I see Quincy’s autism as an exciting journey, rather than a burden.
We were fortunate enough to raise money to go with Quincy to the Autism Treatment Center of America in 2013 for an intensive. We are now raising money to pay for consultations with a Son-Rise teacher throughout the year and for Harrison and I to attend additional trainings.
These costs are not covered by insurance, but this approach has been extremely helpful for Quincy and our family. We appreciate any assistance you can provide.
Sincerely,
Rebecca and Harrison Pfeiffer
Then we discovered the Son-Rise program. The Son-Rise program advocates joining in the very behaviors that most other professionals insist you stop your children from engaging in. These are the behaviors that usually look the most “autistic”. By joining the child in these behaviors, you are communicating a sense of acceptance and love. During play time with Quincy, we allow him to determine the activities and to assert his interest. We try to be respectful of his needs in terms of space and interaction. When he does allow us into his world, we celebrate the eye contact, the language or the other unspoken invitations he gives us. We also try to build on the interaction, by encouraging language and non-verbal gestures that expand his communication with us. We do all this by allowing him to be himself and never judging or deeming his behavior to be “too autistic.”
Quincy is now potty trained. He speaks regularly with multiple words and phrases. He is making more eye contact and is more engaged with us. He says Mommy and I love you. Because of this program, we see Quincy’s autism as an opportunity learn how to love unconditionally. Harrison and I see Quincy’s autism as an exciting journey, rather than a burden.
We were fortunate enough to raise money to go with Quincy to the Autism Treatment Center of America in 2013 for an intensive. We are now raising money to pay for consultations with a Son-Rise teacher throughout the year and for Harrison and I to attend additional trainings.
These costs are not covered by insurance, but this approach has been extremely helpful for Quincy and our family. We appreciate any assistance you can provide.
Sincerely,
Rebecca and Harrison Pfeiffer
Organizer
Rebecca Pfeiffer
Organizer
Tallahassee, FL
