What a year this has been. A year Max will never forget, and
I will never forget. A year he finally can say I have graduated from High
school. Max did walk with his graduating class in 2018, but he did not receive
his diploma because he was short two required classes. Why was he short? Because
he wanted to take seminary and a class for students who live with Autism. In
our school district it is called S.P.I.C.E. (Social, Pragmatics, Independence, Communication, and
Emotional Regulation) For children with autism spectrum and related disorders
with more intensive needs, self-contained classes are offered at the preschool, elementary and secondary
level. Max felt a need that he needed to be in Spice, and it gave him insight
of how to cope with everyday school routine. I am appreciative to his teachers,
speech therapist, counselors, swim coach and many others that helped guide him
through his journey of high school.
Max is now taking the step into adulthood. He is now twenty
and out of high school as of today. As his mother it has been a hard pill to swallow
knowing my youngest is finished with high school.
What is next for Max with this corona virus blocking his opportunities
to succeed and develop skills? Here we are living a life of social distancing
which by the way, Max loves because it lets him live in his own bubble. It defeats
his opportunities to expand his social life that is valuable for him and anyone
else who lives with autism.
My husband and I were told he would never get above third grade in education, well, I'm happy to report he got a high school diploma like all the other students. He even had all A's and took algebra and geometry. He took all the require classes all the other students had to take. Yes, he had to work hard to accomplish each class, but he did it. He showed those child psychologist that he saw when he was young that he can learn above third grade level. Now he wants to attend college and be an accountant CPA like his Dad.
He has found a new way of spending his day by caring for his
chickens and chicks. By working in his garden and attending to its every need.
Daily he holds his chicks and chickens and checks their food and water. He has developed
a love for the outdoors beyond being in the pool.
He misses his swimming and desires to feel the water around
him. Max says he feels peaceful when he is swimming and is anxious to be back in
the water.
Congratulations Max on graduating from High school. Yes, you
walked with the graduating class of 2018, but you graduated with the class of
2020!!!
Max attended a program this summer called Arizona Youth Leadership Form.
He loved it and enjoyed making friends and learning about himself.
They helped him to see his potential and focus not his disabilities,
but to focus on his abilities
.
Max had a wonderful time.
Max and his parents.
Max and his mom.
Max's friends and yes they are twins.
Max dancing and signing the song, Eye of a Tiger.
Here are some questions that they asked him at the conference.
MECHANICAL
Do you like working with your hands? No
Do you like to use tools? Yes
Do you like to build things? Yes
Do you like to fix things? Yes
Do you like to operate machinery? Yes ARTISTIC
Do you like to express yourself? Yes
Are you creative? Yes
Do you like to communicate ideas, thoughts and feelings? Yes
Do you like to perform for others? Yes PLANTS AND ANIMALS
Would you like to work outdoors? Yes
Do you like working with animals? No
Do you like to raise and care for animals? Yes
Do you like working with plants? No
Would you enjoy working in a greenhouse? No
Would you like working on a Farm? Yes PROTECTIVE
Do you like helping others? Yes
Would you like to enforce the law? Yes
Would you like to protect others? Yes
Do you have a good communication skills? No
Would you like to work to improve your community? Yes INDUSTRIAL
Do you like to create things? Yes
Do you like to build things? Yes
Do you like to work in production? Yes
Do you like to work "hands on?" No SELLING
Do you like meeting new people? Yes
Do you have good communication skills? No
Would you work well under pressure? Yes
Do you like to influence others' opinions? Yes
Are you persuasive? Yes ACCOMMODATING
Are you eager to help others? Yes
Do you enjoy working with food? No
Do you enjoy helping others improve their appearance? No
Would you enjoy working in a restaurant or hotel? Yes LEADERSHIP
Have you always been a leader? Yes
Do you like to influence others? Yes
Are you persuasive? Yes
Do you like to direct others? No
Do you have good communication skills? No
Do you like to speak in front of an audience? No HEALTH AND WELLNESS
I communicate my health concerns to others is: Very Limited
Who I could talk to about health or personal safety concern is: Parents
If I didn't feel safe, the following people could help me: Parents
What I do to manage my stress: Technology
What I do to help manage my stress: Exercising CAREER EXPLORATION
My interests, hobbies, favorite subjects are...Swimming
My extracurricular activities that lead to a career interest are:
Math, History, Baseball, Swimming, Network Security specialist.
My strengths: Memory, Swimming, Math, Enthusiasm and curiousness.
The accommodations I may benefit from while at work: Break
Career I'm interested in: Network Security Specialist, Banking, finance. ASSETS AND STRENGTHS
A time when I felt really successful was when I...
was doing swim and had accomplished work.
I have always been glad that I have the ability to...
swim.
My best friend would describe me as a person who...
nice
One thing that teachers/mentors have always appreciated about me is...
my curiousness to know.
I love learning about... sports
Something many people find hard to do that I find easy to do is...swim
I think I was born to...Pass the test that God the Eternal Father has given me.
What people find more likable about me is...
My enthusiasm and optimism.
What will make a true leader in my life is...
Unwavering Joy
A time I showed a great deal of strength or courage was when...
I climbed Mount Whitney without complaining.
Something I would like to be remembered for is...
My unwavering joy and my great accomplishments.
A time I felt really glad to be me, was when...
I swam for competition.
One thing my family enjoys about me is...My joy
My greatest achievement this year is...
Evit
Three words to describe how I see myself in five years are...
Proud, Family, Loving
Three things I do well are...
Swim, work, and church
A place I really enjoy being is at Church because...
I feel a strong connection.
My most prized possession is my Medals and Awards because...
I worked hard for them.
One of my skills that I hope to use in my work is...
Soft skills
An area of my life where I can express my individuality is...
Swim.
If I were to receive an award it would be for...
Swimming.
Participating in this Youth Leadership Forum shows that I am...
Willing to try something I do not know.
How much input I have about what I eat and drink is:
Yes, but I choose not to eat certain things.
What I do for exercise is:
Push-ups, oblique rotations, sit-ups and swimming.
The people who could help me if I were being hurt or bullied are: Parents
I know the following about internet safety:
That I should stay off certain websites and do not click on anything suspicious.
WHAT IS OF VALUE TO YOU? LIST YOUR TOP FIVE VALUES.
Staying apart of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints... not to depart.
Sports and to leave a mark on history.
Family and be in history books.
Independence and service and integrity
Wealth and security, and honesty.
