Autistic kids are more talented than I am...

[Kwahati]

Before anyone gets offended, the title of the thread is not a joke. I tried to use Google Sketchup to draw how I want to redo my back yard. Turns out it's got a learning curve and isn't as easy as one might hope. I ended up giving up after a very short time and drawing what I wanted to do by hand... That said, check out this video for what Autism Spectrum kids are doing with Google Sketchup:
Google's "Project Spectrum": http://sketchup.google.com/spectrum.html

By The Way: what was with the "rules" thing I had to sign in order to post this time? Never seen that before...is that new due to rampant lawlessness in SGT forums?

[Big Wallaby]

Before anyone gets offended, the title of the thread is not a joke. I tried to use Google Sketchup to draw how I want to redo my back yard. Turns out it's got a learning curve and isn't as easy as one might hope. I ended up giving up after a very short time and drawing what I wanted to do by hand... That said, check out this video for what Autism Spectrum kids are doing with Google Sketchup:
Google's "Project Spectrum": http://sketchup.google.com/spectrum.html

By The Way: what was with the "rules" thing I had to sign in order to post this time? Never seen that before...is that new due to rampant lawlessness in SGT forums?

That is incredible. I love the aquarium.

As far as the rules, we've done some updating and so are making everyone sign again.

[DisneyMom]

Some of the kids in my son's college Autism-Asperger program are taking computer animation classes and I hear are doing quite well :)

In a semi-related topic, today our team walked at the Autism Speaks event at the Pasadena Rose Bowl. Over 15,000 people were there, including Rodney and Holly Robinson-Peete. So far,our team has raised over $700.00 this year for Autism Research :D:

[Big Wallaby]

It's interesting... I guess this month is Autism Awareness month, and Disney has signs up about the Spectrum and the people we may meet each day who are on it.

I had to chuckle at one of the signs, specifically after seeing this video. It may have been spot on that these kids don't have certain social abilities or don't see the world quite the same as everyone else, but this sign went on to say that they lack creativity. Help, DisneyMom! This video flies in the face of that poster, and I would rather believe this video: that if you give Autistic kids a way to communicate and create in a way they can understand, we might be able to see their true brilliance in creativity.

I'm just going to assume for now that that poster was made before Sketchup came around and possibly proved otherwise. What a wonderful discovery!

I'll never forget a friend's mom who had been a teacher (now that's long ago). She talked about teaching classrooms of "normal" kids, but the ones she loved working with were the Autistic kids, because they were a challenge, but once she was able to gain their trust they were also the most rewarding.

I know we've discussed Autism and life with someone who has it, but please, those of you in the know, continue to enlighten me on the ups and downs. I could just go read an article, but I would rather hear it from another human being than an impersonal text book.

[DisneyMom]

Thanks BW and anyone else who is interested :)
I've seen some YouTube videos from Autism Speaks that have parents discuss the challenges and rewards- I believe one is called Autism Everyday.
It is important to remember that persons with Autism Spectrum Disorders have a wide variety of personalities, deficits, and talents. Things can change over time as well- my son didn't really speak until he was 4, now he is quite social, but differently social than most people.
Our Family wore our Walk Now for Autism Shirts to Disneyland yesterday, some of the CMs were very kind to relate their stories of people with autism that they know. Missed Whazzup, but talked to her on the phone, so I know she made it there safely :)