Extracts from this document...

Introduction

THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHTTIME: ESSAY/SPEECH WRITTEN FROM ED BOONE's PERSPECTIVE AND HIS STRUGGLE TO DEAL WITH HIS AUTISTIC SON, CHRISTOPHER. Good Morning, my name is Ed Boone and my 15 year old son, Christopher, has Asperger's Syndrome - which is a mild form of autism. I am here to talk with you today to give you all an insight as to what it is like having a child with autism, how it is difficult and my experiences. I am a single parent. My wife left me 2 years ago. I believe the continual stress of caring for Christopher ultimately broke up our marriage. I'm an ordinary man and I love my son- but it's been difficult coping with a son who has so many behavioural problems. The thing I find hardest is that my son does not like to be touched. I can never hug him to show him I love him. Whenever anyone touches him he gets upset and reacts violently. He has received a caution for hitting a policeman who grabbed his arm. ...read more.

Middle

He doesn't like being in really small places with other people. One day his mother had to pick him up from school when the bus broke down. She was asked to take two other children home because their parents couldn't come to get them. Christopher started screaming and got out of the car while it was still moving. He had to have stitches in his head after falling onto the road. Christopher needs routines to help him deal with everyday life. I made him a time-table so he knows what is going to happen from the time he wakes up until he goes to sleep. He likes to know when everything is going to happen and gets upset by sudden changes. This solid, steady routine gives Christopher a sense of control and helps him to feel much more at ease. Often Christopher decides not to talk to people for a long time and this is frustrating to deal with. Once he didn't talk to anyone for 5 weeks. He has trouble understanding what people are saying. I try to tell him exactly what he is allowed or not allowed to do, and to be really specific. ...read more.

Conclusion

It was at that moment I knew I had lost my relationship with my son. I need more than anything for him to trust me, I recently bought him a Golden Retriever because he loves and trusts dogs. He also helped me make a vegetable garden in the backyard. I told him I would never, ever do anything to hurt him, though I am not sure how much my word counts for. I told him that we had to spend more time together like completing a 'project'. I am going to take it one day at a time and do the best I can for Christopher without looking too far into the future. This is something you can only truly understand, and comprehend when you are in the situation, although the journey is tough, with everyday simple tasks being a struggle - I wouldn't have it any other way, I love my son and will stick by him and care for him, I hope to one day gain Christopher's trust back, no matter how long this takes. I would like to thankyou all for listening, and I hope that you've gained something from this presentation. ...read more.

This student written piece of work is one of many that can be found in our AS and A Level Fyodor Dostoevsky section.