Elijah is a 16 year-old who goes to a special needs school for high functioning children. When he was four years old, I worked with Elijah and his parents using the Son-Rise Program. At the time he was completely non-verbal. Elijah recently found me on Facebook. He is now verbal and agreed to an interview. Part 2 is below. Read part 1 here.
JL: What are your dreams/goals for yourself?
Elijah: Well since I like writing (typing) to Wikipedia (I have an account), publish articles at Associated Content (I write about American Idol (the finales are like my "Superbowl"), The Naked Brothers Band, and also Autism and other related developmental disorders.), I might to be a screenwriter or article writer. Another goal I want to achieve is to graduate with a PhD degree from U.C. Davis University in screenwriting, and M.I.N.D Institute, as well as training at the Autism Treatment Center of America. I eventually want to move to San Diego, California where I want to open up center for children with autism.
JL: What are your thoughts on girls?
Elijah: I have a lot of friends who are girls.
JL: Do you/ have you had any romantic interests/ experiences?
Elijah: I have "romantic interests" but I rather keep them confidential.
JL: Here's a question from a reader:
" I have been told by a few close friends that I may have autism, but have never proceeded to get a diagnosis, because I manage to function, though being socially awkward most of the time.
My question is how did you manage the world and learn to relate to the word? I am learning you cannot take the words of people literally, because it seems to be a 'norm' to say one thing and mean quite another. On the same note, how do you keep friendships with people in this regard, do you just discount if they say something mean in one instance, but say that your friendship is important in another?"
Elijah: a. Well I learned how to manage with the world with my intensive, one-on-one ABA program in my "distraction-free playroom" in the basement of my house. And I began improving and speaking thanks to the top ABA therapist in Long Island, Dr. Bobby Newman, PhD, BCBA until the age of 4 1/2. I also had intensive speech therapy with Lenore B. Kahne, in-and-out of her house until the age of 7.
b. Also, I rarely encounter fights with my friends, with the exception of traveling away to sleep away camp, even at a special needs camp, it is very hard for me to get on and live with other people - even friends. I normally do feel emotion for a friend of mine if they are upset - and feel bad for them, and I do give advice (when I'm able to.) Sometimes I have trouble with sarcasm too, but other times I can pick up on it. Additionally, sometimes I "bud in" my friends conversations. And I have trouble picking up on when it's appropriate to and NOT to 'join in' their conversation.
Elijah: I'd also like to include that my sister recalled me having terrible sensory integration deficits. Whenever they put on the car, the engine would bother my ears and I'd cover them and screamed, as it hurt my ears. Also when my parents recalled that, an hour before my first session with Dr. Bobby Newman, I was lying on the chair without clothes on, speaking gibberish to myself. And when Bobby rang the door bell I "opened the door naked." He said, "Where's your sister?" I pointed to the ceiling and shouted: "Ga!
Thanks for sharing with us, Elijah.
