Andrew and Doug in Bangkok January 2000Andrew and Doug in Paris March 2001Andrew and Doug in Paris - Panaromic - March 2001Andrew and Doug San Francisco August 2002Andrew and DougNew York November 2002Andrew and Doug Seattle December 2003Andrew and Doug Seattle Panoramic December 2003Andrew and Doug's Road Trip New Orleans May 2007Andrew and Misty Rome Italy March 2007Andrew's Graduation June 2005Lillian Jane Eckels Recipe Book Index to BookSeven-Minute SandwichOther Photo Albums |
My relationship with my stepson, Andrew, is one of my most treasured possessions. He was an incredibly kind, interesting, and inquisitive boy, who is also on the autism spectrum. When he was eleven, I noticed he was having difficulty in school and struggling to find motivation for his homework and household chores. It was then that I decided to offer a new kind of encouragement by taking him on a journey - a journey to explore different countries and cultures as a reward for putting extra effort into the challenges a young autistic pre-teen faced at school and in accepting responsibilities at home. There was no expectation that this plan would make him non-autistic, but it was intended to help him change focus during times when he was overwhelmed with anxiety, panic, or excessive stimulation - common occurrences for autistic children attending public school. We even created strategies such as "rewind," where the last minute or two of behaviors were dismissed if he took a new approach to entering a situation. I found this very humorous at times, as Andrew would walk and talk backward while implementing "the rewind" and then return to the room or situation with a more positive attitude. Andrew was successful with this program, and it became the beginning of his education about the world. We traveled together to many different locations, learning about the history of the places we visited and the people we met. We spent time in museums, libraries, and other historical sites. Every time we went somewhere, I saw him open up more and more, learning about the world and becoming more comfortable in it. Our travels together have been some of the most memorable moments of my life. I am so proud of Andrew and all that he has learned throughout our journey. He has grown into a confident and independent man, and I know that our travels together have been a huge factor in this. I am thankful that I was able to share this experience with him and am grateful for the time we have spent together.
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