Green

As the therapist who uses a great deal of art in her work, every color has meaning. In art therapy colors relate to feelings, transitions, and change. Green is the color of growth. When I see green used in a project I find myself reflecting on the client's growth, change, and progress in the session, throughout the task, and in treatment as a whole. Sometimes it takes a long time to get to green, and other times green comes quickly and steadily. Regardless, green signifies change and growth are happening.

David's favorite color is green, thus it seemed fitting to have a blog about him and his journey be colored in green. It is also fitting because throughout the process of seeking a diagnosis, finding appropriate treatment providers, and treatment, change and growth has been a constant. Don't get me wrong there has been a great deal of time with stagnant progress, dealing with the school comes to mind first and foremost, but despite that, we have been searching out change, progress, and growth for David and for ourselves as individuals, parents, and as a family.

Now not to get too stuck in a Muppets theme, I think Kermit had it right, "It's not easy being green." David is aware of how he differs from his peers. Due to his social awkwardness and social immaturity and has been an easy target for bullies. He, like all children is hurt by the taunts and being made fun of that exists. He gets frustrated when he has missed school due to appointments, therapies, or medication related illness. He is frustrated by his peers’ constant questions about why he was absent or late. When he comments he was sick or had to go to the doctor, he is questioned about what he was sick with and or what doctor he had to go to and gets frustrated because he doesn't want to answer for fear of being considered even more different.

The thing is David is different... he is unique and wonderfully so. David like many young boys and many children with spectrum disorders is obsessed with dinosaurs. He has been since he was little, and has been spouting off the names and facts about dinosaurs since he could talk. His knowledge of dinosaurs grew as he started reading, and now is exceptional. David can name just about any dinosaur and is able to spout off facts about any dinosaur he is asked about. In fact during his first neuropsychological interview the doctor asked about a random dinosaur (one I have never heard of) and David was about to tell him what kind of dinosaur it was and when it lived. Naturally he wants to be a paleontologist. And while most kids go through phases of wanting to do different things and be like heroes in their lives (i.e. fire fighters, doctors, athletes) David has always just wanted to be a paleontologist, dreaming of discovering a new dinosaur or working in a museum. We live in the Chicago-land area and so we have spent a great deal of time at the Chicago Field Museum of Natural History, currently home to Sue the most complete T-Rex that has been found to date (well at least to my knowledge). That is what they say at the museum, but clearly I am no expert. Maybe I will ask the expert when he gets home from school. David loves getting lost in the dinosaur exhibit, taking in the facts, information, and sheer magnitude of the creatures that existed long ago. He could spend hours in the exhibit and watching the paleontologists working in their lab (the museum allows window access to the scientists working in their various labs). His love for and knowledge of dinosaurs constantly amazes me.

David is wise beyond his years, understanding advanced academic and social issues (meaning issues of society). He is a talented artist, and is continuing to advance in karate towards his goal of becoming a black belt. This said his social interactions, interpersonal skills, and ability to self regulate his emotions are lacking, making him an easy target for bullies. His social awkwardness contributes to his limited peer relationships, and his desire to engage in individual activities. He deals with being different, while trying to grow and change daily. He, like all children, wants to be liked by and accepted by his peers. He works hard to fit in and we as a family work hard to learn all we can to help him do just that.

It is not easy being green... being different is difficult, sometimes sad and lonely; but being green, growing, changing, and making progress in one’s self, while difficult and challenging, is the best kind of green to be.