#30facesofautism - Day 9

Day 9 – What Baby Girl lacked for years with general, conversational language she did not lack for in manners.  Early on she learned the rules and they are a part of her “routine”.  In fact they are so embedded in her social routine that she even says thank you after you have spent the 15 min wrestling and negotiating to give her medicine that is so awful she gags.  Seriously.  Learned language is a skill for her once she gets the main context down.  I am beyond grateful manners are one of those skills.  It makes it seriously easier when she is telling you off kindly with a “No, thank you” while being offered a non-preferred food or activity.  She also very consistently worries about the needs and health of others, another learned language skill set.  “Are you ok?” is a routine question anytime someone coughs or sneezes or appears ill at ease - even when the 30^th kid has coughed for the 537^th time.  Even if her manners and kindness towards others is “learned” I can tell you they are said with appropriateness and sincerity.  But when I think about it, isn’t that how all children end up with manners – they learn them and then they learn how to use them? #30facesofautism #autismawareness