Blue (Jake’s Imagery Writing)

Jake whipped through a math session today, so to end our RPM session he chose to do an imagery writing exercise (as taught to us by Katie Masotti). This is where Jake describes something with his five senses. Just for fun, we are exploring the colors in this format, and blue is the 4th color.  (Click on links below to read Jake’s previous imagery poems.)

Jake’s finish to each prompt is in bold:

Blue:

I see how the sky looks on a good, most weather-interesting day.

I hear an airplane flying.

I smell nice home smell, easy to love the windows.

I taste I not most sure. How about good, cold ice-cream?

I feel being cold.

I think a cool color like blue is calming. Good to nice, needy soul. Love having good amount of blue.

Immediately afterwards Jake demanded, “draw an airplane!” (which I always find amusing except when he brings me the etch-a-sketch and demands something). He just loves watching the drawing process -so we got a piece of paper and blue marker, and here it is:

Jake McClintick is now 25 years old and has been learning to communicate using a letterboard since age 18. Learning the process of using a letterboard through the Rapid Prompting Method (RPM) was a gradual process that took several years. We are still working on expanding RPM and Jake’s confidence/skills beyond our “work sessions.”  Regardless, this low-tech alternative communication system has been an answered prayer for us both.

At the age of 22 he began expressing his very personal thoughts and feelings more fluently with me (his mom.) He is diagnosed with severe autism as well as intermittent explosive disorder. He has given me permission to share his story and our conversations. He continually expresses his desire to “find purpose” to his life…I hope his willingness to share will help others learn about this misunderstood condition known as “autism” that has so much to teach us all.