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Sarah C
An autistic person is typically withdrawn, and reclusive.
Please in truth and life experience, give me an example of a child diagnosed with autism who is very social and out going.
If you are familiar with the diagnose, and someone with it, who maintains the traits of isolism as I briefly described above- your response and information/opinion would be useful and greatly appreciated by myself, as well. I thank you for your time and input.
Answer
My daughter (9-1/2) might fit both sides of this. She's very social at school and out in the community. She tries to make conversation, and will greet sales clerks by name (reads their name tags). She will talk to other children, though they often don't respond because her social skills are pretty awkward, and sometimes her communication attempts don't make sense to those she's talking to. She has no problem walking up to a clerk to ask for directions, change, or information. She will walk up to the butcher counter and politely order "I need two pounds of ground beef to make taco meat please" She is very outgoing when she needs to be.
She has "friends" at school, but is not at all interested in having any come over for playdates. Friends belong at school, home is for her to be alone. We have a pool and I've tried encouraging inviting a friend but the response is always the same "I'll have her over for my birthday." I even tried "J is coming over next Wednesday" only to have her respond "No, that's ok, I don't want to play right now" We recently went camping and a 6 yr old girl befriended her. She was very persistant and kept trying to engage my daughter. My daughter played "throw rocks into the river" with her and "rescued" her when her tube when out too far. When my daughter had enough, she pretty much turned her back on the other girl "I do not want to play any more. I want to make a castle" and wouldn't engage any more. All attempts by the other girl were met with "I said I do not want to"
When my other children have friends over, she may play with them for a short while, especially if it's physical rough and tumble stuff. Then she retreats to her room. When she's at home, it's like her sanctuary. She's used up all her resources for dealing with other people and most of the time just wants to be alone to regroup. She prefers to eat alone, or at least at a different table, she also prefers watching tv by herself. Her current "best friend" is a paper super hero that she made. It's pretty cute actually, and the paper friend is much more predictable to her than real people are.
My daughter (9-1/2) might fit both sides of this. She's very social at school and out in the community. She tries to make conversation, and will greet sales clerks by name (reads their name tags). She will talk to other children, though they often don't respond because her social skills are pretty awkward, and sometimes her communication attempts don't make sense to those she's talking to. She has no problem walking up to a clerk to ask for directions, change, or information. She will walk up to the butcher counter and politely order "I need two pounds of ground beef to make taco meat please" She is very outgoing when she needs to be.
She has "friends" at school, but is not at all interested in having any come over for playdates. Friends belong at school, home is for her to be alone. We have a pool and I've tried encouraging inviting a friend but the response is always the same "I'll have her over for my birthday." I even tried "J is coming over next Wednesday" only to have her respond "No, that's ok, I don't want to play right now" We recently went camping and a 6 yr old girl befriended her. She was very persistant and kept trying to engage my daughter. My daughter played "throw rocks into the river" with her and "rescued" her when her tube when out too far. When my daughter had enough, she pretty much turned her back on the other girl "I do not want to play any more. I want to make a castle" and wouldn't engage any more. All attempts by the other girl were met with "I said I do not want to"
When my other children have friends over, she may play with them for a short while, especially if it's physical rough and tumble stuff. Then she retreats to her room. When she's at home, it's like her sanctuary. She's used up all her resources for dealing with other people and most of the time just wants to be alone to regroup. She prefers to eat alone, or at least at a different table, she also prefers watching tv by herself. Her current "best friend" is a paper super hero that she made. It's pretty cute actually, and the paper friend is much more predictable to her than real people are.
Where is the best place to camp in the Grand Canyon with young children?
Tara O
Where are planning a trip to camp at the Grand Canyon this summer. I have a 3 and 5 year old. I also would appricate details of what kind of things we can do with small children while at the Canyon. Thank you so much!
Answer
First off, you need to decide which rim you want to visit: the North Rim or the South Rim.
Most people go to the South Rim because it is easier to reach and is more developed with more overlooks, lodges, cafes and several good-sized towns (Flagstaff and Williams) nearby. The North Rim is harder to get to, only has one lodge and no large towns nearby. Because it is a thousand feet higher in elevation, it is cooler than the south rim and closed during the winter (mid-October to mid-May). During summer, I prefer the North Rim because it is cooler and less crowded, but young kids might find more things to see and do at the South Rim.
At either rim, you only have one real camping option for kids that young and that is the drive-in campgrounds (one at each rim). They are both very similar and pretty nice with a picnic table at each site and central bathroom facilities. They are also both a ways back from the rim, which make them a bit more peaceful, but also means you either have to drive to reach the rim and overlooks or go for a fairly long walk. You can reserve campsites online and should make reservations well in advance (see links below).
Beyond the car campgrounds mentioned above, there are also primitive backpacking campsites in the canyon itself (not recommmended for kids that young) as well as camping 'at large' in areas of the National Forest surrounding the park (the better locations being on the north rim to the west of the park - but these can be tough to reach).
As far as things to do for kids at the South Rim... kids at that age are probably not going to be entranced with scenic natural views for long or up for long hikes. There is a nice free shuttle that runs along the rim from the lodges out to Hermit Rest with stops along the way and the driver telling stories about the canyon - most kids and adults would probably enjoy it. They would probably like watching the burros and their attending cowboys at the corral near Bright Angel lodge. The large patio area along the rim behind Bright Angel lodge is also a good place to see squirrels, ravens and sometimes condors (not to mention ice cream from the nearby snackbar).
There are usually a number of ranger talks each day, many of them at the Shrine of Ages auditorium near Yavapai Lodge. The park also has a junior ranger program where children go to various exhibits and talks to get stamps and win a junior ranger award. The 3 year old would probably be a bit young even for that, but the 5 year might enjoy it.
There are fewer attractions for kids at the North Rim, but it has the benefit of having more open space and less roads and traffic. There are lots of places there for kids to run around in the trees and play with pinecones and sticks (my main memories of going there as a small kid). Along the road to the Cape Royale overlook there is a nice little hike called Cliff Springs trail that would be suitable for kids that age. It goes a mile into a small side canyon to a pretty little seep spring - it is fairly level and despite the name, you are not walking along any cliffs.
First off, you need to decide which rim you want to visit: the North Rim or the South Rim.
Most people go to the South Rim because it is easier to reach and is more developed with more overlooks, lodges, cafes and several good-sized towns (Flagstaff and Williams) nearby. The North Rim is harder to get to, only has one lodge and no large towns nearby. Because it is a thousand feet higher in elevation, it is cooler than the south rim and closed during the winter (mid-October to mid-May). During summer, I prefer the North Rim because it is cooler and less crowded, but young kids might find more things to see and do at the South Rim.
At either rim, you only have one real camping option for kids that young and that is the drive-in campgrounds (one at each rim). They are both very similar and pretty nice with a picnic table at each site and central bathroom facilities. They are also both a ways back from the rim, which make them a bit more peaceful, but also means you either have to drive to reach the rim and overlooks or go for a fairly long walk. You can reserve campsites online and should make reservations well in advance (see links below).
Beyond the car campgrounds mentioned above, there are also primitive backpacking campsites in the canyon itself (not recommmended for kids that young) as well as camping 'at large' in areas of the National Forest surrounding the park (the better locations being on the north rim to the west of the park - but these can be tough to reach).
As far as things to do for kids at the South Rim... kids at that age are probably not going to be entranced with scenic natural views for long or up for long hikes. There is a nice free shuttle that runs along the rim from the lodges out to Hermit Rest with stops along the way and the driver telling stories about the canyon - most kids and adults would probably enjoy it. They would probably like watching the burros and their attending cowboys at the corral near Bright Angel lodge. The large patio area along the rim behind Bright Angel lodge is also a good place to see squirrels, ravens and sometimes condors (not to mention ice cream from the nearby snackbar).
There are usually a number of ranger talks each day, many of them at the Shrine of Ages auditorium near Yavapai Lodge. The park also has a junior ranger program where children go to various exhibits and talks to get stamps and win a junior ranger award. The 3 year old would probably be a bit young even for that, but the 5 year might enjoy it.
There are fewer attractions for kids at the North Rim, but it has the benefit of having more open space and less roads and traffic. There are lots of places there for kids to run around in the trees and play with pinecones and sticks (my main memories of going there as a small kid). Along the road to the Cape Royale overlook there is a nice little hike called Cliff Springs trail that would be suitable for kids that age. It goes a mile into a small side canyon to a pretty little seep spring - it is fairly level and despite the name, you are not walking along any cliffs.
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