Day 2: First Day of Classes

I have to start off by saying my brain feels like mush.  We had class from 8:30-4:30 all day yesterday in which they crammed a TON of stuff in our heads.  I will try to verbalize some of the cool things we learned or were reminded of but I know I won’t be able to cover it all.

One of the biggest reminders for me was that it’s all about attitude.   Gavin is the same today as he was when he was diagnosed.  He hasn’t changed (well, he’s grown and developed by leaps and bounds).  What I’m talking about is his personality…who HE is as a person hasn’t changed.  Autism doesn’t define who he is.  He’s Gavin.  Wonderful, sweet, loving, charming Gavin.  I can’t be worried about Gavin tomorrow or Gavin in the future.  I have to live IN THE NOW with him. 

The biggest thing I can do for Gavin right now is change how I look at things.  All things….all situations.  I cannot let a situation control me.  I must be in control of how I react to a situation (this goes so much farther than just how I react to Gavin).  What I believe about a situation will determine how I react to it.  If I’m always looking at something negatively (which I tend to do) then I will react negatively in most cases (and regret it later!)  I can’t change what happens, but I can most definitely change how I react.  Even though I know all this, it’s great to get a gentle reminder!

Not to bore you with conference notes, some other interesting tid bits:      

• It’s FREEZING here!  We did not pack well (surprising, since it seems like we brought everything we own!)
• Most of the people here have one child.  I find this extremely interesting.  Because their firstborn has autism, they decided not to have any more children.  I find that sad and kind of depressing.  What if we had stopped at Gavin? 
• There are 30 states and 13 countries(!) represented at this conference.  There are a total of 106 people and it has been amazing getting to know people from other places who are going through the same things we do with Gavin.  It’s very empowering and inspiring!

That’s all for now.  My brain is tired……and I’m hungry.                      

(The boys are doing great…….hope you’re following what they’re up to!)