Melissa

I decided to go in another direction for the moment.  This is Autism Awareness month.  Let me just say it right now....I have no autism swag.  No multi-colored puzzle piece ribbon pin or t-shirt.  No blue light on my house.  Nothing that would let you know I'm aware of autism.  Except for Sam.  He is the only autism awareness accessory I have.

Because I'm too lame to adorn myself with autism, I am going to write a couple of autism specific "Thank Yous" this month.  Just making you aware!  Here is number one.

Melissa.....or as Sam calls her when she is making him work (eyes squinty, scrunched nose) "Mah with ah."

Melissa joined the Sam autism express at the end of his 1st grade year.  I love having Melissa at Sam's meetings.  She is very smart and knowledgeable about Sam and autism.  I have always known that.  Even when I point out scope of practice with my mean mom "back off" SLP attitude, I know that  her knowledge base goes beyond what can sometimes be arbitrary boundaries.  (Ok, I said it.  It's in writing that you can print out any time you want.  Quit smiling!)  I also love that she knew Sam when he was nothing but a lump.  I know that sounds terrible, but he was a lump.  He was a lump that would have laid in a bean bag chair rubbing a feather across the tip of his nose while he sucked his finger all day if he had his druthers.  Melissa guided everyone on how NOT to let that happen.  Now he can go into Target, order a snack, pull out his wallet and give the correct dollars to pay.  It's kind of amazing to see.

After several building/staff changes over the last 7 years, Melissa is now the only non-family member who knows that transformation.  She also played a major roll in helping get Sam from lump with a feather to teenage boy who looks up plastic surgeons specializing in breast augmentation on the internet.  (And they thought he wasn't paying attention in health.)  She supported me when I was the only one who believed Sam had untapped potential.  She has even supported me to give something a whirl when she didn't totally agree with me.  That's important because she has been with Sam for seven years and may be with him longer.  But in the end, I will be with him the longest.  Having a professional that understands that if there is a mistake to be made, it needs to be mine is what makes her golden.  I take that back.  It makes her platinum.

There are a million stories and instances I could share about Melissa from knowing her over the last 7 years but I will share this one thing.  It's my favorite piece of advice she gives to people who watch "Rainman" or "60 Minutes" and are sure they want to work with kids on the spectrum.

Melissa says that if you don't go home after some kid with autism beats the crap out of you all day and think "Wow!  What can I do tomorrow to reach him?" you are not meant to work with kids who have autism.  That is what makes her qualified to do her job.  She sees reward in the challenge and doesn't give up.  Even when the kiddo in front of her is a lump....rubbing his nose with a feather...while he lays in a bean bag.

Melissa, thank you for seven years of support and guidance.