When I found out The Philadelphia Inquirer was planning to run an op ed I wrote about Clay’s thoughts on his future, I naturally wondered what the little guy had to say about that.
“awesome to be a star,” he typed on the iPad he uses to communicate. “so cool to be famos.”
The article focuses on questions Clay raised during a session with his typing teacher. Tough questions. The kind of questions the parents of a kid with autism have a hard time facing. You can read the article here.
Did Clay have any further thoughts on those questions?
“still so sorry about making you cry,” he typed for his Mom.
“That’s OK, ” Mom responded. “I cry pretty easily.”
Any advice for other kids with autism who are struggling with what the future holds for them?
“stay strong and be realistic,” he typed. “really get a mastering of something. for me it is animals.”
Pearls of wisdom, as usual.
For first time visitors to this blog, I’m going to take the author’s prerogative of pointing out some entries from the past two years or so that you might find interesting.
“Have Mike Read” – the first time Clay typed
“A Mother’s Day Message” – Clay’s thoughts on this special day for his Mom, who is his typing partner and number one fan.
“So Proud” – an account of the first time Clay presented to a class at Arcadia University.
“Typing King” – an account of the second time Clay presented to a class at Arcadia University.
“Yo, Adrian” – Clay’s first horseback ride.
“A New Buddy” – the day we brought home Clay’s Christmas present.
Welcome to Life With Clay.
Life With Clay 
#1 by Yochanna on March 16, 2012 - 4:35 pm
Thank you so much for this. I face all this myself with my son age 20. You expressed my feelings exactly.
#2 by Juniper Hill Farms on March 16, 2012 - 11:51 pm
Love the article, and it was great reading stories about Clay and his family here. We have lots of animals on our farm… please come and visit sometime, we are not that far away!
#3 by autismmommytherapist on March 20, 2012 - 9:26 am
So happy more and more papers are carrying this type of story!
#4 by Love Many Trust Few on April 24, 2012 - 12:21 am
Came over here via crazyantelope. I’ve been trying to grapple with the big questions too so reading your article was hitting me right where I’m at. Though my boy is only 5 I want to work towards that big picture all the way and have been writing about it quite a bit. THEN, reading about how Clay has learned to communicate – how incredibly inspiring! My boy also has visual processing issues, so I worry about his capacity to use keyboards and technology (totally not interested at this point), but great to see what Clay has achieved.