Sunday, December 23, 2012

Autism and Santa Claus

I woke up in a panic a couple mornings ago.  I couldn't remember if the daughter, Rose, with aspergers believed in Santa Claus or not.  I finally called and asked.  The older daughter, Dominoe, who has autism still believes Santa Claus passes and there are presents on Christmas morning.

I can remember when my youngest, Mikey, who was only ten years old finally came to me and said there wasn't any Santa Claus.  He had been saying it for the past two years.  I had been putting him off by saying if he didn't believe in Santa Claus he might not get any presents Christmas morning.

Well at ten years old he finally said he didn't care.  Sooo I had to fess up.  Well as anyone knows who has more than two children information in a family works it's way around.  (I have five children.)

The daughter with aspergers (Rose) didn't believe him.  She really didn't believe him for another couple of years.  I guess that would have made her about 14 years at that time.  The son wasn't finished with telling though.

He had told his Dominoe that there was no Santa Claus.  I remember the look on her face.  She said, "There's no Santa Claus?"  I told her there was and gave both Rose and my last son, Mike, my best momma says to 'shut up' look.

Later I talked with Rose and Mike in private that Dominoe might always believe in Santa Claus.  They tried to understand at the time.  They certainly understand now.  To get back to the start of this post Rose, the daughter with aspergers, doesn't believe in Santa Claus.

I know this is going long but Rose doesn't get a whole lot of autism type services.  She doesn't seem to be 'disabled' enough.  Most of the services she gets is through mental health rehabilitation services.  Dominoe on the other had gets supports 24/7.  I know a lot of it is because of the behaviors.

I wonder though if people who believe in Santa Claus at 24 years old don't need more autism services.  I just wonder...

I hope and pray you have a Peaceful Christmas and New Year!


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