Why a window? ...
When he was younger, our son was afraid to step over the threshold to go outdoors. At the time, we did not know about his autism, that diagnosis came later. Try as we might, he would always resist going out and to see what the world had to offer. He was afraid. In time we learned that his fears were based in the uncertainty of what was out there. Home was his safe area. He could relax. Everything was in its place.
To help him, I encouraged him to look out through the window. His window. It was safe looking out from indoors and when he felt unwell through the many, many seizures he is tormented by, just getting to the window is a major effort for him. Through the window was a world he could familiarise himself with.
Supported by myself to point out the various aspects of our garden, or nearby landmarks which were visible, his confidence grew. Familiarity of what he saw became routine. This accepted routine enabled the next step, to cross the threshold.
Encouraged to use my old camera, our son eagerly took pictures from his bedroom window, or the living room window and we ventured into the garden to look at what he had pictured up close. A new world opened up to him. Gradually we ventured further and pictured all that we saw.
‘Marc’s Window’ has become an intervention to help our son overcome both fears and pain and help focus his mind to prevent it searching out those dark places.
This success I share as it may just help someone have a similar idea.
Why a window? ...
When he was younger, our son was afraid to step over the threshold to go outdoors. At the time, we did not know about his autism, that diagnosis came later. Try as we might, he would always resist going out and to see what the world had to offer. He was afraid. In time we learned that his fears were based in the uncertainty of what was out there. Home was his safe area. He could relax. Everything was in its place.
To help him, I encouraged him to look out through the window. His window. It was safe looking out from indoors and when he felt unwell through the many, many seizures he is tormented by, just getting to the window is a major effort for him. Through the window was a world he could familiarise himself with.
Supported by myself to point out the various aspects of our garden, or nearby landmarks which were visible, his confidence grew. Familiarity of what he saw became routine. This accepted routine enabled the next step, to cross the threshold.
Encouraged to use my old camera, our son eagerly took pictures from his bedroom window, or the living room window and we ventured into the garden to look at what he had pictured up close. A new world opened up to him. Gradually we ventured further and pictured all that we saw.
‘Marc’s Window’ has become an intervention to help our son overcome both fears and pain and help focus his mind to prevent it searching out those dark places.
This success I share as it may just help someone have a similar idea.