zahra's most important thing

zahra's most important thing..(symbolic gesture shown by autistic individuals)

Mar 5, '11 12:15 PM for everyone

last week, we moved into a new house. it's still in jakarta. things were pretty hectic. we've got to move out from the old place and bring all the stuffs  we posses to the new house in one day. i almost got crazy. lol. 

amid all the hectic, zahra participated in packing stuff. the one and only thing she worried about. she brought her old floating device that looks like a board  (you know, the device to help kid or person who is learning to swim) 

she gave it to her dad, who was pretty busy to pick and lift up stuffs to the moving truck, while saying something like this..

"daddy, take this" she said that in determine and clear voice, and also shown a very serious mimic. 

i was kind of confused, because she doesnt need the device anymore. she's been an independent swimmer since long. but then i realised, it's pretty common for autistic individuals to do things by using symbolics...meaning, most of the time, they dont just go to the point. they utilize symbolic gesture, things or deeds to express their real feelings/wants. 

in this particular case, i realised that what zahra meant actually is, she wanted to say that: "wherever we go, whatever happens, dont forget that i love to swim so much. and i hope you will never forget my weekly swimming lesson schedule."

lol. what a beutiful game she plays 

wonderful puzzle...