Zen for AS kids?
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| Sat, 02-04-2006 - 9:49pm |
Hi everyone.
I've been thinking. Does anyone know where I can find a Zen Master who works with kids with Asperger's? I say that half-jokingly, because I'm sure that's pretty much the least likely thing I'll ever find. But my children desperately need one.
David (8 AS, BP), in particular, is so attached to his worldly possessions and desires that he experiences great pain. He gets an idea to build a Lego creation using a piece that is in his brother's fire engine. Or, he gets an idea to write a book at 10 o'clock at night. If he's told that he can't do it, he gets so distressed that he can't function. He can't let go of the idea that he HAS to do it. He disolves into tears, gets stomach aches, and is clearly VERY miserable. He also gets pretty mean to Nathan, who, in turn, is learning to fight back twice as hard...and to be constantly resentful.
Nathan is the same in a lot of ways, but he's four, and not dx with anything. Neither of them can grasp the concept that it is the *desire* that causes the pain. It isn't the fact that we only own ONE Lego Harry Potter Hogwarts castle. We could own 10 of them, and sure enough, he'd get inspired to build something that absolutely has to have all ten staircase pieces...and one of them would be in something Nathan made. The reason David is suffering is because he is holding on to the idea that he NEEDS that particular piece. As soon as he begins to understand that he can change his design plans to something that doesn't require an unavailable piece, then he's okay and can get on with enjoying life. But it takes a painfully long time for him to get to that point.
Of course, the fact that this is driving me crazy probably means that I could use that Zen Master myself. LOL! I was thinking about this stuff, and I told David about how I read that on a quantum level, the universe is just energy and empty space, and the appearance of individual Legos is all just an illusion. He thought that was pretty cool, but it hasn't made life any easier so far. (It doesn't keep my feet from hurting when I step on those little buggers either. The Legos, I mean.)
Evelyn :)
P.S. I was re-reading this, and kept picturing David lugging a little red wagon full of Legos up to the top of a snowy mountain to talk to some enlightened master, sitting "criss cross applesauce". I think I must truly be going bonkers. ;)

Not a zen master but there is Yoga for SN kids available. I know of 2 in our area. I think if you do a search you maybe able to find something. It is another thing I would like to do but don't have the funds.
Renee
If you ever find that zen master please send him to my house, DH could really benefit from it.(LOL)
Teresa
Don't know about the Zen Master but if you like Quantum Physics you should rent the movie (if you haven't already) What the Bleep Do We Know!? http://www.whatthebleep.com/ Its a great movie. I wish they'd make a kids version.
Samantha
ROFLOL!