Jenny & Jeffry, part 2
Let us take another glimpse into the daily lives of ten-year-old twins Jenny and Jeffry, both of whom are diagnosed with autism. The marked differences in, among other things, their communication, personal interaction, sensory issues, flexibility, and self-sufficiency illustrate the breadth of the spectrum of autism.
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Part 1 of this discussion about the twins focuses on the diversity of their communication and academic skills. That overview would lead readers to believe that Jeffry is “higher functioning” and Jenny is “lower functioning.” But, depending on your perspective, that conclusion is not necessarily true. Let’s look at some examples from their daily lives.
1. Although Jenny is relatively flexible, Jeffry is very focused on specific routines and rituals, displaying explosive behavior when faced with unexpected changes.
2. Jenny has marked tactile sensitivities. Among other things, it is difficult for her to tolerate wearing shoes and socks. She pulls the arms of her shirts up as close to her shoulders as possible, and the legs of her pants pulled up to her hips. Probably as a result of her tactile sensitivities, Jenny is very resistant to bathing, washing her hair, washing hands, and brushing teeth. Jeffry does not seem to have tactile issues.
3. Jenny was toilet trained at age four. For a variety of reasons, Jeffry is trained to wet in the toilet, but will not use the toilet for a bowel movement. He wears pull-up diapers.
4. Jenny thrives on group activities at school, church, home, and in the community. Jeffry has learned to tolerate group activities, but participates somewhat reluctantly and prefers to be alone.
5. Jenny is relatively compliant and cooperative. Jeffry resists guidance from other people, and often refuses to follow directions.
6. Jeffry takes good care of his possessions and thrives on neatness and cleanliness. Jenny tears, crumples, or breaks nearly anything within arm’s reach.
The contrast between Jeffry and Jenny, 10-year-old twins, is a stark illustration of the fact that autism is a spectrum disorder. Each person diagnosed with autism has unique mixture of strengths and deficits. The key word here is “unique,” as in “vastly different.” No two individuals with autism have the same mixture of abilities and disabilities in the areas of receptive language, expressive language, social interaction, compulsive behaviors, agitation, intolerance for change, sensory sensitivity, cognitive abilities, and daily living skills.
TIP FOR THE DAY: The implication of individual differences is that, because each person has unique needs, no one strategy or approach is going to work across the board. We must pinpoint specific issues and the circumstances surrounding those issues for that specific person, then develop a customized plan for dealing with the issues. Check out our Pinpoint the Problem Toolkit by clicking on the Toolkit tab at our website: http://FAQautism.com
NOTE TO READERS AND LISTENERS: I am Cathy Knoll, a board certified music therapist and long-time friend of many folks with autism. At FAQautism.com we are committed to providing free, practical, everyday tips for making life better for people with autism. Feel free to send me a confidential email at talk@FAQautism.com with your thoughts or challenging situations or innovative solution. And don’t forget to check out our website for a wealth of ideas and a glimpse into the world of autism. http://FAQautism.com
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