Vince has really really taken to fishing.

I mean, besides the fact that anyone can like (or dislike) fishing, the nice thing about it is there's enough distance involved...between yourself and others, between yourself and the fish, it's nice. I've even taken to it, but not with the major enthusiasm Vince shows.

Well, this means I have to now learn about it. Fine. Much funner to learn about than autism for sure. But still, lots lots more to it than throwing a hook in anywhere and hoping for the best.

So, I found this site that seems to encapsulate everything for a beginner. It's here http://www.angelfire.com/ia3/fishing/index.html (see BEWARE warning below) in case any of you are interested for your kids or yourselves. Might be worth a try for a kid that doesn't have much common interests with others....and if you fish the same spots like we do, you might be so lucky as to meet good and interesting people, and get to hear them happily say "Hiya Vince", which is like, sniff sniff emotional to hear, cause it's so nice to see others like your kiddo. Plus, most folks are happy to get to know ya, and all seem happy to try and help Vince catch fish and share their tips, so that's real cool.

Other than school, Vince does not get a lot of opportunity for socializing, and when he does, it just doesn't go too well....with fishing, he's absorbed enough in it that he makes great conversation, and doesn't overstay his welcome. It's really really really nice. It's great to see him have social success. Not that fishing has been without it's downs, but he's even getting that under his belt, no more total meltdowns when he doesn't catch them or when I tell him it's too small and has to go back.

BUT BEWARE of the site, if you don't have pop up blockers...I do and man it was constantly killing pop ups during the first few seconds of every new page I'd click.

That's fantastic Mili! I am so happy to hear that Vince is doing great at fishing! That makes me really happy to hear. You're right though about the distance factor, that's something I never thought of before. Thanks for sharing something so uplifting as this. Made my night!

Hey, ((((((Milli),

Long time-no read. You gotta get PICTURES. I want pictures!!

You're doing such a fantastic job of raising your son.

My son used to live in an old rooming house down at the beach. The place was beautiful. It used to be a hotel for wealthy beach-goers during the turn of the last century.

My son used to say that he could feel his blood pressure go down -- lower and lower -- the closer he got to home. Being closer to nature seems to calm everyone.

You know what I was just thinking?? It used to be that everything was slower and quieter. I know the one-room schools and that -- where kids got to learn from everybody. But, I went to school in the 50s. It was so different that it is now.

Everything was quieter and more fun. You used to see kids hanging around the neighborhoods and playing together. You just don't see that anymore.

And everyone is so rushed now. And so angry.

I truly think that some kids just can't cope with the noise and the hectic pace.

I'm glad that Vince discovered fishing. It'll be a resource for him when he gets older and needs to calm himself. Plus -- you're right -- it's fun. I remember fishing near the falls by the carpet factory that my Dad worked in. I still have dreams about it -- and we're talking real ancient history -- back when the moose roamed the planet with the dinosaurs

You're doing a great job, Milli. And you seem to have a real understanding of what your boy needs -- that's truly a gift.

BIG HUGS. And don't forget the pictures

Barb

Thats pretty cool.
I can see why this would be a good "therapy" for our kids.... It has the elements I want in a social skills development program. Makes me wonder how long it will be b4 someone takes it and runs with it.

Barb,
OK! I'll have to bring my camera and post some pics. And I totally agree about everything you said. In my first school, my class had first, second, and third graders and who knows...like 40 kids in the class? Maybe more? One teacher taught us all, I have no idea how. But it was never loud or chaotic or whatnot. Our grocery store had what you needed, I didn't have to choose between 30 brands of butter and margarine...I don't even want to guess how many brands of cereal now. Just seems to clutter your head. Your son's old rooming house sounds like heaven.

Keg,
I guess it could be 'theraputic', lots of things are too I guess...the way cool thing about fishing is this is one of the few things involving social stuff that he can do with success - it is one of the few things involving social stuff that he is on an EVEN PLAYING FIELD for...know what I mean? He has no advantage or disadvantage due to his neurology. That's really my entire goal for him with the RDI I'm always talking about, I just want to even the playing field for him, give him as much (neurological/social) equipment as possible so he can have a stinkin chance in this world. Ya know? And, fishing as well as all animals he's familiar with, give me some great analogies for explaining things to him and him really understanding.

GranolaGirl,
Vince has dreams he's a merman, 'mates' with a harem or mermaids, and has thousands of baby....merrats!!! They all swim and play together and have tons of fun. I'm telling ya, I'm getting more and more ****** at myself for not writing down all of his dreams, they are so awesome - visually they're spectacular as he describes them, very detailed, and best of all he is either defeating 'bad guys' and monsters and being a hero, or he is just having a great time. Makes me so happy he doesn't have 'victim' dreams and so on. He really soars in his dreams, it's beautiful.

So cool that he's found fishing..

Donovan could care less about fishing buuut...loves the water and the woods. So, I have ideas of helping him find his way to more lifelong involvement in outdoor conservation. Our state conservation department offers a lot of nice educational materials free to educators and youth leaders that we use in our homeschooling endeavors. Then also they have a program called 'Stream Teams' where families, groups, organizations, join up as a group and work to monitor stream/habitat quality and clean up a certain stream. I want to get my son to the point where he can be involved in this...since he spends so much time knee deep in our beautiful streams and loves it so. Seems right up his alley. They also train people to be naturalists for both volunteering wtih the state parks system and potentially as employees. I SO want to do that, myself. And they have a Kids' Fishing campaign/program that encourages kids to fish and teaches environmentally friendly fishing skills.

So...why did I tell you all of that? Because I'm wondering if you looked into it if you might find that your state conservation department also has similar programs that you all could become involved in? WOuldn't it be cool?

Vincent...i just LOVE ya kid! you are terrific!

anyway. I'm wondering

It would be very cool! I'm not aware of anything like that, but hey, couldn't hurt to call the DNR and ask, right?

I have this FANTASTIC book that I should give you...I got it from eBay I think, it's more for a teacher/teaching curriculum(sp)

I love it, but ya know what...I'm really trying to get rid of stuff I'm just not using. I've had it for maybe over a year, and haven't done a thing with it.

I know some folks are leary about giving their addy's, but if I promise not to show up on your doorstep at 3am, naked with a pineapple on my head, give me your addy and I'll mail it to you. Just beware, I have to A. Find it and B. I'm a major procrasinator and already owe someone here a snailmail (Granola Liberal). AND, am still looking for this nicknack to send to AKF for like, months and months and months and can't find it (see, I didn't forget AKF!!! just can't find it).

If I can find the book again on eBay or Amazon or where ever I got it, I'll post a link so you can see it. Anyhow, it sounds like you'd actually USE it and your kiddo would get enjoyment out of it. It's yours if you feel comfy giving me your addy (if you don't, just say you don't feel comfy - I won't freak or be offended anything silly like that). I'd really love to give it to you, but the deal is you have to post one cool idea in it that you liked... ...deal?

Ok, actually you don't even have to do that

Mili

Ok, the name of the book (which I found on the net but not in my house yet) is Aquatic: Project Wild Education Activity Guide, it's 242 pages, and it's for grades K-12 so there's lots of flexibility.

You can find it on ebay selling in a lot of four books by typing 4 PROJECT WILD in the search for books...it is the one on the top right. But a better description is here http://www.projectwild.org/ProjectWI...ivityGuide.htm although it has a different cover, I think it's the same book, just updated.

AND MISS LADY...turns out there is some Project Wild coordinator in my city - so - I'll have to look into that for Vince and Carmen, I'm not quite getting how the whole program works. I think you call the number of your closest coordinator on the Project Wild site, they have a person come out to the school and show the teacher how to incorporate Project Wild into her program and give her the workbooks....so thank you for the idea...which made me think of the book and offer it to you...which made me notice there was a project wild person in my town!

And yes, I could actually say all that in one breath, lol.

Mili

wEll, Mili,

sorry I didn't respond to this. Been kinda overwhelmed the last coupl'a days.

Now, if you would just replace that obnoxious pineapple with a bunch of bananas I might jump for joy when you showed up on my porch!

I would LOVE to have that book. I have an e-mail in my draft folder from sometime last year that I wrote asking our coordinator aboutthe Project Wild ttraining. Never did anything about that....I thought there was something else higher priority at the time but I didnt' want to lose the info.

If you mean the offer I will pm you my address.

I hope you find something that Vincent can be a part of if he wants to...but from a woman who grew up fishing with family, that in itself is plenty fulfilling...soat least make sure he gets to keep doing that. I have no doubt you will anyway..


oh, and I can totally relate to the procrastination, and can't find a thing under all the chaos. sigh. urgency is not a priority.

Sure I totally mean the offer.

I have trouble giving stuff I like (but don't use so should pass along) to Goodwill, but, when I give it to a friend it's FUN.

I see I have one PM, hoping it's your addy...and miracle of all miracles, I even found the book! So actually have it to send.

Talk to you soon! Checking my pm now...

Mili