| Matt Knits |
 |
Matthew's Blog
Welcome to Matthew Yee's blog - Here you will find additional information about Matthew and what life is like to live with an autistic adult.
HAPPY
HOLIDAYS! MERRY
CHRISTMAS!
We at Mattknits.com wish you a wonderful, healthy, and safe Christmas and a Happy New Year !
This month marks our first anniversary since this website was launched.
As a bonus, we may add the following:
BEN: Here are some possible things we can do for our first anniversary:
- Reduce prices for our storefornt
- Add additional links for Christmas or New Year knits
- Fix the "Free Scarf" link
- Make information on a possible e-book link
- MAKE SURE YOU GO OVER THIS BLOG PAGE AND MAKE IT VALID!!!!
Comments (0) |
Subscribe to RSS
Reader Good News for Matt!
Hello everyone,Matthew is currently working in an enclave at The Yard House at Desert Ridge Marketplace in Phoenix, Arizona.
It is a Valley of the Sun based enclave.
He is still attending the day program called Good Neighbor Support Services after work.
For those here in America, have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday, and thank you for your prayers for Matthew - they are helping him and the family get through each day.
Comments (0) |
Subscribe to RSS
Reader Enclaves - A Work Alternative for Matt
Hello everyone,Matthew is currently on a waiting list to get in an enclave (a workplace where people with disabilities are always supervised).
The enclave that the family is hoping for is called Stars in Scottsdale, Arizona.
He is now attending a day program called Good Neighbor Support Services, which will assist Matthew in fun and recreational activities and also reinforce his social skills.
Comments (0) |
Subscribe to RSS
Reader
Vocational Rehabilitation
Hello everyone,For the past two months, Matthew has been placed in Vocational Rehabilitation, which is a branch of the state government that helps people with disabilities obtain a career in the workplace.
Matthew was working at a local thrift store to reinforce his interpersonal and customer service skills. He enjoyed working in the job (as all autistic people are in routine) but there was one problem.
He needed supervision at all times, which the local thrift store does not provide. Matthew is currently looking for a job (specifically an onclave) that will help him with his work skills and to become more independent in the workforce.
Comments (0) |
Subscribe to RSS
Reader
AIT (Audio Integration Training) Week
Hello everyone,This is Audio Integration Therapy (AIT) week here at Matt Knits.
For the next two weeks (starting today), Matthew will be listening to music (he will have to tolerate headphones for 30 minutes twice a day for 10 days) from an occupational therapist, who uses a specialized CD Player that plays specific tracks with different frequencies. These frequencies are to help Matthew cope with major transitional changes, such as graduating from high school and then entering a job training program the same month.
Many people with autism frequently have problems dealing with social interactions and activities. This training is also to help Matthew comprehend the environment that he is in and to also make him more expressive in his social skills.
If you would like more information about AIT, please visit the following websites:
Comments (0) |
Subscribe to RSS
Reader Happy Fourth!
Hello everyone,It's the fourth of July here in America. Matt is having a wonderful time spending the evening with his grandparents and watching the fireworks at Tempe Town Lake on TV.
Here is a wonderful 4th of July hat to keep up the holiday cheer!
For all of our American Internet users, we at Matt Knits wish you a wonderful and safe holiday!
Comments (0) |
Subscribe to RSS
Reader Jenny McCarthy Speaks about Autism
Hello everyone,Jenny McCarthy will speak about her personal crusade with her 6-year old autistic son.
You can read the transcript or watch the interview here: Fox News On The Record
Comments (0) |
Subscribe to RSS
Reader April is Autism Awareness Month!
Autism Awareness Month is here! It is a time to remember and support those who have autism.
If you would like more information about specific events or fundraisers that are going on this month, please visit the links below.
Comments (0) |
Subscribe to RSS
Reader Matthew is now on his Spring Break and will be working on some more of his knitting.
Here are a couple of links for good spring and Easter knits:
See you later.
Comments
(0) | Subscribe to RSS
Reader
Have a good New Year's Resolution for your autistic child or adult? Here are a few of Matt's resolutions:
- Learn how to be a better knitter.
- Learn how to read and understand my language better.
- Do my chores so that I can earn more points and get rewards (such as a videotape or DVD).
- I will try to do less compulsive behaviors during all of my therapy sessions.
Hope you all have a wonderful New Year! Bye for now!
Comments (0) | Subscribe to RSS
Reader
MERRY CHRISTMAS! ¡FELIZ NAVIDAD!
SEASON'S GREETINGS!
Hello everyone,
Christmas has finally come!
Here are a couple of helpful tips that I use to help Matthew during the holiday season:
- Always be aware of changes in routine, such as weather disturbances (storms, rainy days, full moons - the gravitational pull of the moon can affect people's mental health), so try to keep a steady routine, such as writing out a daily schedule, and make sure that schedule gets updated on an up-to-date basis.
NEED HELP FINDING A CHART? The chart I use for Matthew and is recommended by his behavioral therapist is ChartJungle - They have charts for FREE!.
Now, it doesn't have to be something that basic - if you know what he or she likes, such as a Parker Bros.® Board Game, use it to try to entertain that person.
- Try to be involved in activities that keep that person interested. For example, a few years ago, when Matthew was acting up after Sunday worship service, I
entertained Matthew with games that he had played at school. I used a dry erase board and marker playing word games like Hangman.
Be in prayer for Matthew and for all autisitic children and adults as the next new year approaches!
God bless you all and have a safe and wonderful season!
Comments (0) |
First Blog Entry
Hello everyone,
Welcome to Mattknits.com! We are excited to provide high quality hand knitted hats and scarves from a young autistic adult named Matthew Yee.
We're glad that you are with us here today.
First question, what is it like to live with an autistic adult? Many adults who enter parenthood who know that their child has been diagnosed with autism often wonder what their child will be when he or she goes into adulthood -- and what are the symptoms and they should be looking for!
For the first blog entry I will now turn to my father, whom I have interviewed in a research project for autism.
This is an interview of my father’s perspective on my brother Matthew.
1) Describe Matthew’s autism.
Dad: First of all, Matthew does not speak. He only says about two to three word phrases, but now he can say one sentence. His autism affects his ability to learn; he is at least four grades behind, which is part of his mental retardation. He lacks all social skills, which means he cannot relate to people. He does not like certain foods because of certain taste, and he does not like certain sounds because of his sensitive hearing. He has no concept of time and danger.
2) How does his autism affect our family?
Dad: Matthew always needs adult supervision wherever he goes. This means that your mother and I have to be focused constantly on Matthew over our priorities. We also have limits of travel and work, and also contact with family and friends.
3) What were Matthew’s symptoms when he was a child?
Dad: He failed to communicate and he stopped eating. He would cry and scream a lot, lacked eye contact, and failed to respond when we would call out his name. He had verbal and physical compulsive behaviors.
4) What were your reactions when the doctor reported that he was diagnosed with autism?
Dad: I had deep sorrow, grief, anger, shock, and a desire to help him.
5) What kind of treatment has Matthew been through?
Dad: He has medications from psychiatrists in order to deal with the real world and to improve his language. He attends regular psychological meetings to check his progression. In school, he had speech and physical therapy to help him with his life skills.
6) How has this treatment changed Matthew over the years?
Dad: The treatment has helped him to speak, read, calm down, improve in socialization, control his compulsive behavior, and to improve his vocabulary. He is considered a high-functioning autistic child. I also believe that God has healed him because of answered prayer and patience.
7) What are his hobbies/activities?
Dad: He likes hands-on activities, such as making crafts, being on the computer, reading books (he liked this recently), watching classic movies on video or television, and record music on audio tapes. He likes to collect videos, audio tapes, crafts, and other new toys.
8) What are Matthew’s routines during the day?
Dad: He gets up in the morning, gets dressed, goes to school (special ed schools in regular/summer school years), eats after school, takes a nap, gets on the computer, exercises with a workout video, does certain chores
in the house, eats dinner, and goes to bed. Sometimes he would watch TV shows or videos in between.
9) What are Matthew’s current struggles in life?
Dad: Trying to overcome autism, of course. His major struggle is communication.
10) How does Matthew express his emotions?
Dad: He gets angry (tense), hits himself, and yells compulsive short phrases, which can be from TV infomercials or commercials, TV movie lines from broadcast or videos.
11) How challenging is it to live with Matthew?
Dad: It is extremely challenging to live with him.
12) How has Matthew changed your life, and what is your view on handling all handicapped people?
Dad: Our family and I thank the Lord for Matthew; we try to love him and take care of him, and I believe that handicapped and mentally disabled people should also be treated with the greatest love.
Thanks Dad for your interview about my brother Matthew.
Comments (0) |