Autism Consulting Service   

 Communicating using RPM

BELLA'S INTRODUCTION

Hi my name is Bella. I am getting kind of nervous being here. Truth be told this has been the joyest I have been for a really long time. The moment we found out I would share myself, I was thinking to say that this is such an honour and wonderful opportunity. Really every where I can, I feel like telling of my voice through RPM.

How are we seen?

Every time I don’t look at you in the eyes, I cannot tell you that I understand, very much I feel hopeless in my actions. Disappointments read on your face.

My story is the story of Bella, who has a voice through RPM, I understand your story is different. I am Bella, I am like a story book which has not ended but has just begun.

To understand me, tell yourself to be stuck in the mud hoping to be heard and rescued. There are words that come out but I cannot say ‘help’. Someone passes the scene to give a fat token but not help.

I struggle with it. I cannot move to save myself. I am thinking to myself, I will not be saved from this situation. Too tired to appeal, I am more worried no one will find me.

Joy filled my heart when I heard the words of songs, moved to respond, varied songs engaged all of me, to feel myself climbing out of the mud.

Understand it was very hard to walk away and live with a voice I always dreamed of. Ask yourself how a stuck person would articulate their silent heart when there was no one entering to see abled me.

WHAT WAS THE MOST EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION BEFORE RPM?

BELLA: Tell you the truth, my other ways of communicating were not effective. I was telling my mouth to make words and all that was left was lost belief in my intelligence. Sometimes I would wish there was a way to tell you (Bella's mum) I was inside. You teaching RPM was really frightening. I very much wanted to stay resting. When teaching me some interesting work, I became so happy. I loved to learn. Set free with a love of words I could not help but respond.

WHAT WAS BELLA'S BIGGEST CHALLENGE AT AGE 3-4 YEARS?

BELLA: Understand at 3 and 4, others came to play and we tried to become like other children. Because the understanding was that we needed to fit in. Guessing and waiting to show my abilities was my biggest challenge.

WHAT HELPED BELLA COPE WHEN SHE COULDN'T COMMUNICATE LIKE SHE CAN NOW?

BELLA: I loved how I was able to make beautiful stories in my mind. I made words come together when I just could not speak them. I hoped and prayed to be heard. I had the family that would not give up.

WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY?

BELLA: I am so happy to help children like me. I am thankful that I have a voice to help kids like me. Seeing the ocean makes me happy. Learning about the wondrous world makes me happy. Being included makes me happy. Kind teachers makes me happy. So many things keep coming to my mind but the happiest is when I can tell my family I love them.

DO YOU HAVE FRIENDS OUTSIDE THE FAMILY?

BELLA: Understand that many of my friends are like the friends you have. I talk to them with my fingers and the help of the internet. I have wonderful autistic friends that I write to and have so many cousins to play with. I am starting to have some friends at school, teachers have been great friends to me.

HOW DO YOU SOCIALISE BEING HOME-SCHOOLED?

BELLA: To be home schooled varies my opportunities to mostly learn more about the world. I am loving my time with different friends. Understand that like you, every time I am overwhelmed by a lot of tough stares and a lot of judgement.

I have time with other friends at home, school, outings, gym and I am together with others on weekends and holidays.