There’s no need for me to reinvent the wheel.
I admit that I often use sketches as a jumping-off point when scrapbooking.
Which is why Sketch Solutions is an ideal class for me.
Sketch 1: two 6×4 photos, one portrait and one landscape.
The patterned paper is all from October Afternoon’s fabulous Travel Girl range. The cute cameras were cut from a sheet in the Honey range from Becky Higgins. The 6×4 journaling card is from the Americana range by Becky Higgins. This page is destined for The Boy Child’s album.
Sketch 2: one 7×5 photo and two 2×2 photos, although mine are actually 2.5×2.5.
The patterned paper is all from the Kiwi range by Becky Higgins. This is also destined for The Boy Child’s album and I wanted to record the fact that his behaviour made the whole trip very difficult. (Autism isn’t mentioned by name in the journaling, as we have yet to decide whether to have the Big Talk at some point (and risk making the whole thing into something that he perceives to be bad) or to gradually start mentioning Autism in conjunction with everyday difficult situations as they arise.)
Thoughts?
Either on sketches or discussing autism.
This West London Life 
I think I would go for the gradual introduction of the word into daily chatter, making it a normal thing and not something to be wary of. I have been reading a lot lately about how so much more is known about the autism spectrum than “in my day”. It set me thinking about children I went to school with who were different, how our teachers dealt with our treatment of them and how they would be treated now. Such a big subject and so impossible to see all aspects
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I remember Robyn discussing this in a post once. I think casually getting the word into conversation first would help and then explain why he has extra help at school while others don't etc. looking back to when I was young I think there were a few undiagnosed autistic kids at school – but that condition wasn't really known then.
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If you've been involving him already in chats about the extra help in school, he'll probably be glad of the chance to ask more questions and the opportunity to work out with you HIS answers to any questions he'll get asked by his friends
I love both of these sketches and the pages they have created
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I enjoy using sketches, too, and am enjoying the Sketch Solutions workshop. I've had quite a bit of free time the last few days & have created 3 layouts for each of the first three sketches! :>) I really like the travel papers on your first layout.
I think gradually introducing the word and topic of autism is a great approach. It's definitely important that he begin to hear y'all talking about it (as opposed to overhearing someone mentioning it).
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We have used the book 'Can I tell you about Asperger's Syndrome?' to help explain ASD to our daughters. (There is an equivalent 'Can I tell you about Autism?') Our local primary school uses it in a small group situation to help pupils work through what autism is after diagnosis. We had a slightly different scenario because our dd was older and was asking why she had appointments with Speech & Language therapy/the paediatrician etc. so we needed to have a 'big' chat with her rather than introduce it step by step. She took it in her stride because it made things add up for her – she could understand that she had some difficulties in certain situations and that she had great anxiety about particular things at school.
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I like sketches as a jumping off point or to follow more closely depending on my move.
We brought up the various words in conversation, treating it in the same way that some people need to wear glasses, or don't like heights or….
It is something to deal with and accept that you might have to work hard at some things that others don't, but then they might have to work hard at things that you don't.
Which is also why we remind Ewok to take drugs or to have ways of helping him when we're going to do something that might cause problems.
Had one friend said when they did have 'the talk' with their daughter she burst into tears…. she figured as she was so different to her family/friends that she was an alien. Was relieved it was ONLY Autism.
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My family holiday diaries growing up also recorded the good and bad (not just for my brother with Aspergers, but my troubled teens too – fair enough!) My Dad was way ahead of his time in journalling with photos etc. So interesting to look back and see the years pre-diagnosis, one memorable year post diagnosis when the doctors were still tweaking medication for my brother and he is fast asleep in the background of several photos, and the gradual calmness and improvement as the years went on and we all adjusted. It's all part of our family life and and these diaries are still very important to my brother (and to me). I think you do a wonderful job creating these memories for yourself our and your lad. Thinking of you as you make decisions about how to broach everything with him and hoping it feels natural when the time comes.
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I agree with Missus Wookie that it is good to bring it into the conversation treating it in the same way as someone wearing glasses etc. we weren't lucky enough to be able to gradually introduce the idea to Penny and she was so much older that we had to bring it up before going to get the diagnosis. Having said that, when she was diagnosed she felt huge relief as she said it explained so many things that had been different for her in her childhood. Good luck with however you decide to approach it – you will know when and how it is the best time, you are the ones who know him best.
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VI find it hard to stick to a sketch but I love how these have turned out. As far as naming the autism goes, I think it's like talking about sex. When he asks ge is ready to hear. A physical disability is different byt I didn't use th word hemiplegia to R until he was 8 or 9and found that when I did he was grateful for an explanation for his difficulties. He is very mature about explaining hus disability now and he chooses to use that word.
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