Year 10 Text to Self Connection Worksheet - Questions

Text to Self Connection: When a book you are reading reminds you of
something from your own life.

Directions: Read the article and make a text to self connection.

A Mother’s Love Healed Her Son’s Autism

Harlon Avant was diagnosed with autism early on, between two and three years
old. Doctors and teachers diagnosed him as a non verbal/high functioning child.
Although Harlon did not begin speaking until he was 5 years old there was a
genius growing inside. Some how deep with in the fibres of her being, Pri the
Honey dark, a visual artist and music producer from Queens, New York knew
she as a dedicated mother could do something extraordinary – stop her son’s
autism in its tracks. Early on Pri was aware of her son’s love for art and used it
for his benefit. “When I realised my son’s attention to detail and fascination with
visual art. I felt if he was taught via his interests, those same interests would
then begin to overpower his autistic traits.” she shared candidly.

She took it upon herself to create a learning program of her own at home to
reach Harlon psychologically and intellectually. Pri believed with a mother’s love
and determination all good things were possible.

“Never let anyone dictate to you the future of your child. My son was non-verbal
and I was told he probably would never speak so-called “normally”. Don’t ever
let anyone dictate the future of your child, unless they come back in a magic time
traveling DeLoreon with proof,” she powerfully stated. Harlon Avant, an agile and
bright young man is now a 22 year old artist/entrepreneur who speaks very
articulately. He is on the Dean’s List in college and working steadily towards his
goal of becoming an animator and owning his own network. When asked how
she did it? She boldly said, “I taught my son how to draw in order to
communicate with me, since he didn’t speak. He began drawing what he
wanted, like a cup of milk for instance. However, instead of just drawing a cup of
milk, he would draw the kitchen, the floor tiles, whatever was on the counter at
the time, a little boy in a t-shirt with an “H” on his shirt (Harlon) reaching into an
open refrigerator door with an angelic light glowing around a carton with the word
“MILK” on it.”

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She recanted, “He even went so far as to draw a missing child on the side of the
carton like the real life milk cartons had. It was amazing and humorous at the
same time. I later taught him Photoshop and Flash software. Within only two
hours of learning the program, he created his first animation short.”

Pri understands that autistic children are very capable of learning and
comprehending; they just do it differently than others and are geniuses in her
eyes. For parents raising autistic children - Pri knows all too well that patience is
the answer. She explained that there will be times — you will want to tear your
hair out and scream. However, parents must imagine how their child feels to
have success.

Pri and her son spent many reflective moments on their journey. “My son
explains how frustrating it was, because at the time, he couldn’t talk and no one
understood what he was saying. He would then respond in crying fits and
tantrums out of frustration,” she stated.

She goes on to explain her method of beating autism, “You really need patience.
Find what your child is into and begin finding ways to teach him/her via those
interests. I truly believe that when a child is focused on an interest, their other
habits begin to subside. Just understand them, be patient and most of all love
them. Trust me when I state no matter how severe the autism, your child is Very
aware (probably more aware than anyone else). Your child knows exactly what
you are saying to him/her and everything going on around them.”

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Think about a time when you overcame odds like Harlon Avant and write
about it. It could be overcoming self doubt to triumphing over a pivotal
event in your life.
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