Comments on: A Spoon Is Not a Spoon

By: Sunny

Sunny — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 17:11:35 +0000

I guess we all have our little rituals. If we're lucky we can be flexible if we have to.

This is such a great post.

By: Melissa

Melissa — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 05:34:59 +0000

Sometimes when I get really down about my kid's eating habits I remember how Austen is ever so much MORE picky than my kid and it makes me feel a teensy bit less frustrated with the situations I deal with.

The measuring cup to spoon analogy is so perfect. I'm imagining drinking out of that and it does seem very wrong, though, I guess logically it shouldn't. But it's such a nice little portal of understanding into my kid's little world. Thank you for sharing it.

By: JoyMama

JoyMama — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 21:58:02 +0000

Oo. I don't think I could drink tea out of my Pyrex measuring mug either.

Fabulous insight.

(and, I second Yvonne's recommendation of Rules.)

By: Mary P Jones

Mary P Jones — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 16:50:37 +0000

Wow, thanks, GentlePath! That puts me in some pretty good company.

By: GentlePath

GentlePath — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 21:02:16 +0000

This blog, Temple Grandin's books, and "Look Me in the Eye" have all given me a much greater understanding of autism.

By: yvonne

yvonne — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 23:36:36 +0000

I began reading this post and as soon as I got to the part about the measuring cup, I smiled with recognition and I knew I "got it" because just last week I gave my husband a Pyrex measuring cup with his 4 scoops of butter almond. (He actually liked it, said the handle felt "manly" LOL!) Of course, after reading the entire post I "got" something completely different. Wow! I'm at this moment looking at my children and their "quirks" completely differently. Take each of us out of our comfort zone and the world feels quite different. Thanks, I always learn so much over here. BTW, I read Rules by Cynthia Lord last week and I thought about you and Austin. It is an absolutely incredible book IMO. If you haven't read it, check it out.

By: mommy~dearest

mommy~dearest — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 16:36:59 +0000

Oh Mama... I love this post.

By: Sarah

Sarah — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 15:57:36 +0000

While my son is not autistic, this type of scenario has been played out with my highly sensitive, spirited, "picky" eater more times that I can say. So many times I have reached massive frustration because on top of everything else ds won't eat... because of the brand, or it is left over, or it smells wrong, or the spoon is wrong, or there is a speck of something on the dish, or the milk is from Walmart instead of Stop + Shop. Just eat! Be flexible! Try something new! I sputter. Yet I drink out of the same mug every morning, must have coffee brewed my way, prepared my way, using bottled water, with the perfect amount of half and half and sugar. And that is just for starters. My child is a mirror for me. Thank you for reminding me.

By: Anybeth

Anybeth — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 14:08:52 +0000

I hear you on the tea thing. I would have had to wash a mug myself, it's just not the same even though I know it would taste the same. I also have a favorite bowl for certain foods and will only use THAT bowl. Don't know what will happen if it ever breaks.

By: Tanya @ TeenAutism

Tanya @ TeenAutism — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 05:19:25 +0000

Great analogy with the church steeples - her quote really helps in understanding our kids' needs. Thanks for mentioning it!