Comments for Journey With Julian

Comment on Shake Your Groove Thing, Julian by Bessie McElvaine

Bessie McElvaine — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 19:47:23 +0000

What is the Well Program and where is it located?

Comment on A Hug’s A Wonderful Thing by Bessie McElvaine

Bessie McElvaine — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 13:47:41 +0000

Our son is adopted and has high functioning autism. He is 12 and was diagnosed late. He is affectionate towards us at times, he just shows it differently. When he wants a hug from me, his mother, he’ll come lay his head on my shoulder or stand real close. I’ll ask him if that is what he needs and he’ll nod his head. If I want to hug him I have to ask if I can if he says no I say “Ok” and move on. I think that because my husband and I are very affectionate with each other and him since birth it has helped him. When he wants a hug from his dad he’ll come up and just start play fighting w/him. We’ve had to teach him to not do that or to not hit soooo hard. Now he’ll just stand real close and since my husband is one step behind where I am in terms of communicating and interacting w/our son, I’ll prompt him and say he needs a hug from you. My husband is slowly getting it. With our daughter who is 8 and adopted from birth also they count out the time length for the hug. She has a hard time at times with her brother.

One thing my husband and I are trying to teach our son is that you can’t hug everyone (not family) that you feel close to, that just because you feel it they might not or may try to take advantage. He is entering middle school (a new one) and we are nervous about it (new school, making friends hopefully, etc.) We don’t know if we will allow him to take the bus or take him ourselves. We want him to be independent and want to protect him at the same time. Its a dilemma.

Comment on Son, You have Autism by Bessie McElvaine

Bessie McElvaine — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 13:26:37 +0000

My husband and I adopted our son at birth, I “realized that something was different at about 2 1/2 3 years old even then others said “everything is fine, he’s a boy.” Our son is 12 now and the difference between he and his friends is more evident. He was diagnosed late and we are still learning how to be with him and help him better. He starts a new school this year and there is nervousness on all our parts. We haven’t talked to him about him being autistic fully but we will. I am so glad I discovered your blog. I am so glad to know that you are african american (like we are) and can relate to the cultural stigmas/differences that we encounter amongst ourselves. I’ve not met many blacks who have shared that they have a child who is autistic (unless it is of the low functioning level and really evident). I’ve heard comments abouthat the child being bad, or having emotional and behavioral problems and to just be stern with them. I disagree. I’ve learned that african americans tend to be diagnosed much later than white children and I wonder how many more out there are misdiagnosed or undiagnosed. Your blog gives me hope that it will get better and we are not alone.

Comment on Chillin, Julian Style by Linda Pearson

Linda Pearson — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 16:23:41 +0000

That made me smile. Thanks Dwayne and Julian!

Comment on A Father’s Thoughts on Autism by Rory F Comiskey

Rory F Comiskey — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 17:32:47 +0000

I am the father of handsome, 6’3″ /190lb. son; who is right smack in the middle of the Autism Spectrum. Our stories are as dissimlar as they are similar; however I can relate wholeheartdly to the intial disappointment surrounding hopes and ambitons…. and to the eventual move towards pride.

Keep advocating……Keep Blogging
Regards, RFC

Comment on Julian’s Doing WELL by Tiffane

Tiffane — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 02:53:10 +0000

Yes, he is! Sometimes he would follow an activity or task up with, “You know I can do this”. All I could say was, “Yes you can Julian, all on your own, yes you can”. And then you would see that awesome Julian smile. For him to identify these moments of independence, for him to seek that validation, for him to find pleasure in knowing that it was true…yes, Julian is doing well indeed. I am so proud of him!

Comment on Father To Father by Linda Pearson

Linda Pearson — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 01:32:21 +0000

Happy Father’s Day, Dwayne!

Comment on Dad, About Girls………… by DeVetta

DeVetta — Tue, 31 May 2011 19:50:27 +0000

That’s my baby!

Aunt DeVetta

Comment on Dad, About Girls………… by Darcy

Darcy — Sat, 28 May 2011 18:16:05 +0000

Cruella is my favorite Disney villain (as I identify with aspects of her personality, although I would never kill animals and am actually a vegetarian who doesn’t wear fur), and I’m not sure who the most evil are, but Scar and Frollo are right up there. I’d say Shan Yu is up there, too, burning entire villages just because he could.

And mysteries of ancient civilizations are fascinating in my book.

Hello. My husband and I were both once clueless teenagers, married later than our peers, and both diagnosed on the autism spectrum presenting very differently from each other. There is someone for everyone who looks, irregardless of challenges.

Comment on The Magical Bag by Lyda Mihalyi

Lyda Mihalyi — Sat, 21 May 2011 13:08:27 +0000

Dwayne,
I can not tell you how much your posts mean to me ! I just reread this one and decided that I needed to let you to know. It is wonderful for you to share Julian with us in such a special way !
Thanks,
Lyda