Friday, June 5, 2015

A glimpse in my sketchbook, and adventures with autism

I am off work today as my son didn't sleep much at all last night. (And therefore neither did my husband or I) It's a fairly normal occurance around here, so i gave in and gave up trying to wake him up this morning and stayed home with him. He has been into everything lately, my nail polish, any food he can find, the bubblebath......

I have totally lost count of all the bottles of bubblebath, mouthwash and shampoo he has either dumped into the toilet or down the sink drain. He likes to watch them bubble, and i think he doesn't realize the mouthwash won't bubble up like the soapy stuff does. I believe all he sees is a bottle of colored liquid  and thinks " this will be fun"!

Since we just don't know what he is thinking it's hard to tell. Many times after he pours himself some pop, he'll dump the rest of the 2 liter bottle down the drain and put the empty bottle back in the fridge. Same for whole bags of corn-chips and potato chips, the bag gets dumped in the garbage after he's had his serving, then put back on the pantry shelf. Does he think it will regenerate? Probably.

Of course it could have nothing to do with hoping they will be refilled. It might just be all about where things belong to him. At the end of the day clothes that have been worn belong back in the drawers that he took them from. A used spoon belongs back in the utensil drawer where he got it. New items from the store belong on the table where the bags first land upon entering the house. Shoes belong by the front door and doors and cupboards belong shut. Yet, used orange peels can be thrown behind the couch instead of in the garbage or even back in the fruit bowl.

It's impossible to understand his thinking most days, but we have pretty much learned to roll with it in this house. Well, i try at least.

And this unexpected day off gave me just a minute to myself this morning, before he woke back up, so here is a quick sketch i got to paint in. I drew it on my lunch in the cemetery after admiring the phlox, and then added watercolor this morning. Nothing elaborate, just quick. And a ladies face for fun too.










12 comments:

  1. Love , love , love your work.

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  2. Such beautiful sketches. I hope tonight is a better sleep night. Autism is hard to live with, I'm sure. I have a country sewage system (septic tank) and I don't think it could take all those bubbles. Actually, the mouthwash might be even helpful.

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  3. Wow this was a very educational post for me... I knew autism was difficult but didn't realize these things could occur... he even sounds like he has a bit of ocd...wanting everything a certain way... Thanks for sharing your life with us in such an authentic way. I'm glad you have embraced the difficulties.. because they sound very hard!! Gorgeous artwork...I can only imagine how cathartic it is to enjoy those precious creative moments!

    Big hugs to you!! and hubby and your son too!!
    Giggles

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  4. Quite a unique way to be taught extreme patience. I worked briefly with a few autistic children and was always wondering how they saw things or why they did things the way they did. *hugs* Having some private, uninterrupted art time is so precious. Food for the soul. :)

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  5. I love your watercoloring.. expecially this face is AMAZING!
    oxo
    Susi

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  6. Love the sketch of your walk as much as the beautiful face...you have mastered the watercolors it seems!! ♥ Conny
    Piaroms Art Journaling

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  7. Such a lovely sketch book, filled with beautiful sketches. Such good moments for you, I'm so happy you take that special time for you when you can!

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  8. Wow, it does sound like a lot to deal with but it's your son and you love him and so there you are when he needs you. Lovely flowers and great journal pages. Take care.

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  9. Beautiful pages. So good that you can find time amidst your busy life to reach into yourself and create beautiful things like this. I know what autism is but reading here how to cope with it in everyday life sounds immensely difficult to me. Wishing you strength ♥

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  10. I love your little sketches, so very pretty! Sketching is not something i'm good at and deffo need to practice! I hope you all get some better sleep tonight :-)

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  11. I love your lady with the watercolor hair.

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