Memos from the Master

An interesting phenomenon is taking place in my house. My son, the very verbal autistic kid, has taken to communicating his thought process (read: demands!) to us through the use of memos.

It is now a very frequent occurrence in my house to receive either a handwritten note...or a computer printout (he's 7 and has mastered Word! I know people my age who still have trouble with it.) detailing what he wants.

For example:

"Dear Daddy

I don't want to go to summer camp with Erica today. I'd rather stay home and hang out with you!

Thank you very much,

Nicolas, L"

Or:

"Dear Mom and Dad

Please exchange our old mousetrap game for a new mousetrap game. The one I have is missing pieces and it's just no fun anymore

Sincerely,

Nicholas, L."

(And yes...I took him to Toys 'R Us....handed him a $50 and followed him while he marched to the exact spot where the Mousetrap games were.)

Even better:

"Dear Mommy

I want to go to Great Wolf Lodge, and just ignore the talking animals, and the talking tree. We will find the water park, and our room. It's right in Niagara Falls.

Yours sincerely,

Nicholas L

P.S. Can your whole family come too?"

He even writes notes to his teachers:

"Dear Mr. Zummach

I'm enjoying camp. And I'm sending this note to you for being the best teacher this year. I can't wait to come back to school next year. Thanks for your support!

Sincerely,

Nicholas L.

P.S. Can I see you next time?"

And a sad one:

"Dear Mommy

I was sad today, because of the Baby Einstein DVD. It really upset me. Please send me some information on sobbing, as I think I might be hurt.

Yours truly,

Your lonesome child

Nicholas, L.

P.S. Just how can I stop crying?"

He now knows....he googled how to stop crying and found some WikiHow page on how to stop crying. Amazing! The lonesome child comment kind of got to me...I think he knows he's going to be an only child....as much as I wish he wasn't.

What really blows me away about Nicholas' notes is the fact that he is making use of contractions, forms clear and concise sentences...and doesn't need spell check. Ever.

This is one smart kid...just hope I can keep up with him! :)