Changing With the Music

I posted last week about whether or not things have really changed regarding autism. If we concede the point that, yes indeed, there is plenty more awareness about autism, it seems incredibly disappointing that people don't feel there's been an equivalent change in finding out what to do after their child has been diagnosed; that there's been little, or no, change in getting help and answers, both at the time of diagnosis and as a child makes transitions to being an adolescent, and an adult.

So I wanted to note a change in my son Charlie.

I've noted several times in the past months that Charlie has become incredibly sound-sensitive, to the point that he's forever walking around with his hands over his ears. Noises---especially those that are unexpected and high-pitched (babies crying....)---set him on edge no end. It's seemed that any sounds bother him, from our voices and talking, to music played in the car. While once upon a time our trips down the Garden State Parkway or the Turnpike and up in the Pulaski Skyway, and just to the grocery store, were set against a constant soundtrack---Jimi Hendrix, Ramones, the Beatles, the Clash, John Coltrane---gradually Charlie started saying "no" to every CD and to the radio.

I love music and missed hearing all those tunes. Jim did still play the radio from time to time. And a few weeks ago, my mind playing and replaying the songs from one of my new favorites, I said to myself, "why not" and popped in the CD. Charlie has made it especially clear that female voices were less to his liking, so I was more than surprised when, glancing in the rear view mirror, I saw him, hands over (but not pressed upon) his ears, and smiling.

We got through one song and then the next and then another. By which time, I was singing along. We listened to half the album on the way to the supermarket and much of the rest on the way back. As we hit the highway, I fast-forwarded back to the first track, and we headed west for home.

My soul I am the speed the sound........