BigDaddyAutism.com
There are a few things I try to do every day: bathe, feed my children, and read Big Daddy's blog. BigDaddyAutism writes about life with the Big Daddy family, which includes himself, Mrs. Big Daddy, his son, Griffin -- who happens to be autistic -- and Griffin's Lil' Sis. Not only does each wonderful post highlight the ups and downs of parenting on the spectrum, but he makes me laugh coffee out of my nose at least five times a week. I've mentioned to BD before that his heartwarming and hilarious stories about Griffin, who's currently thriving in middle school, sometimes make me think (and hope) I'm getting a glimpse of my Billy's future.
Billy has only just started asking questions. Today's guest post from Big Daddy is a perfect example of what I can imagine in our future ...
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When Amanda asked me to guest post on her blog, my first thought was that there must be some sort of mistake. She must've meant to e-mail Allie Brosh from "Hyperbole and a Half" with her 4 million visitors a month. Once I confirmed that it was actually Big Daddy, with my 6 semi-loyal (and completely deranged) readers that Amanda was looking for, I was honored. And horrified. And hungry. (I'm always hungry)
It's okay for me to spend 20 minutes banging out some moderately funny story about my 13 year old autistic son for my own blog. But I needed to present something a little more, how shall I put it, "good" for Amanda's blog. So I decided to pull out a post I am particularly proud of which went up on my blog on its second or third day in existence. It is a nice glimpse into how I think my son's mind works and, back then I actually put some time and effort into my posts. Besides, my mother-in-law was my only visitor in those days, so this post is like brand spanking new to everyone in the world except Big Nana and myself. So, please enjoy .....
This is a food item that deserves repeated conversation!
Mexican Pizza
Occasionally, Griffin, out of nowhere, will just blurt out selections from a school lunch menu he may have been studying weeks earlier. It is not unusual for us to be driving, having a conversation which does not involve him, and hear Griffin yell, “Mexican Pizza!” or "Chicken Sandwich!" from the backseat.
It’s not like he wanted Mexican Pizza or a Chicken Sandwich for lunch, nor was it remotely related to what we were talking about - he just felt the need to say it. Like a living, breathing pop-up ad, he does this frequently with all sorts of nouns, verbs, and adjectives. I bet Griffin’s spontaneity, brevity, and randomness would make him hugely successful on Twitter.
Mrs. Big Daddy and I often wonder what’s going on inside Griffin's head. She sometimes describes her theory using the analogy of an old style office Rolodex. The cards inside his mind are furiously spinning around and around. Occasionally the Rolodex stops for an instant and Griffin will blurt out whatever thought is on the selected card. Then the Rolodex starts to spin again.
I think of the bouncing balls the State Lottery uses to pick the Lotto numbers on Saturday nights. All the ping pong balls bounce around in the air chamber. One finally pops out and that’s Griffin’s thought for the moment.
Either way, it’s pretty hectic in there.
Tonight, on the way to dinner, Griffin got me to join in on this madness. Our conversation went like this.
Griffin: "Daddy, I ask you a question?"
Me: "Sure Griff."
Griffin: "Say 'Fake'."
Me: "Fake."
Griffin: "Why you say 'Fake', Daddy?"
Me: "Argh."
Griffin: "Why you say 'Argh', Daddy?"
I think this exchange sums up our life with Griffin pretty well.
Tuesday November 30 2010 02:44:51 pm
Tabitha the KnittingJourneyman
I like the rolodex and the lottery ball imagery...w my son I always say he has no internal dialogue--it's all verbal and right out there where we can all hear...and 9 times out of 10 it has nothing at all to do with anything going on at the moment...although he is really good an portraying dialogue, any dialogue, that he has heard in any form or another.
OOHHHHH! ok...
Sunday November 28 2010 06:12:40 am
Jill
I'm such a dork! lol I just was really confused since I was out of the loop! :)
HAHAHAHAHA!
Sunday November 28 2010 02:05:24 am
Cheryl D.
Really funny post! But the comments were even FUNNIER!
SEO
Sunday November 28 2010 12:52:44 am
Big Daddy
Thanks to Lynn, now every time someone searches Google for "Big Daddy Sucks Donkey Balls" they are going to wind up here. I'm gonna go give it try now. (With the Safe Search Settings on)
Actually, it's a parody
Saturday November 27 2010 10:20:39 pm
Anonymom
Lynn is riffing on a jerk who pooed in the comments thread of her guest post on Big Daddy's blog. No worries.
Sounds familiar
Saturday November 27 2010 03:53:02 pm
Jill
This is probably a pretty good analogy! =) My son pulls out a lot of randomness too! lol But he's getting a bit better about it too. Ok, so I don't get sarcasm really well, and I'm wondering if the comment from lynn was sarcasm? Because........ if not, then that comment offends me. =) Seriously, off crying in a corner? Really? Please tell me it's sarcasm? yes?
Tweet!
Saturday November 27 2010 03:26:55 pm
Ashley
Okay, I have to know if Griffin starts tweeting. That will be enough to make me sign up! @Lynn, I thought you were Ann for a minute. =)
Big Daddy Sucks Donkey Balls
Friday November 26 2010 11:08:51 pm
Lynn
I am offended that you are using your son's disability as entertainment. Aren't you supposed to be off in a corner crying?
Total 15 comments