- Welcome Message and select excerpts of our first year blog
- Our New Blog
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- Travel Advice
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- Traveling by bus...in style
- Hotels-Creating the ideal autistic friendly hotel room>
- Packing -101>
- Ask away -Autistic Globetrotting Free advice service>
- Tid bits-travel advice from our readers in 100 words or less
- Autistic Travels' Golden Rules
- Guidelines for travel agents
- Autisticals-a personal view of autistic travel
- US 10 best in
- The 10 best of Boston
- The best 10 of Hilton Head,South Carolina
- The 10 best of New York
- The 10 best of Alaska
- The 10 best of Texas-San Antonio and Galveston
- The 10 best of Santa Fe and the surroundings
- The 10 best of Arizone-Grand Canyon
- The 10 best of Colonial Williamsburg,Jamestown and surroundinds
- The 10 best of Washington D.C.
- The 10 best of Las Vegas
- The 10 best of Boston
- International 10 best
- Mini autisticals- the darnest travel stories you'll hear
- The Sleeps-our biased and un biased hotel reviews
- The Eats-Tasty challenges from around the globe
- The Shops-what you can buy next
- Collector's Corner-How did these travel trinkets become a collection
- Recommended products
- Giveaways
- Monthly news roundup
- Interviews
- Q&A with Jackie Longino founder of Aspietravel
- Q&A with Tal managing director of ALUTEVA-autistic hotel in Israel
- Eva Bronstein-Greenwald-special needs travel agent and founder of We Belong
- Q&A with Trip it's
- Q&A with David Intercontinental Tel Aviv
- Keri Bowers- film producer of 'Normal people scare me'
- Jamie Grover-Autism on the seas
- Peter Shears
- Clive-guide dog extraordinaire
- John Brown of 'Devyn and Dad' -an inspirational adventure across the United States
- Rose Niehaus Olsen Morris inventor of the safety sleeper bed
- Annette White,counselor for Camp Autism
- Colin Brennan-Canada's new singing sensation
- Dennis Debbaudt-autism safety expert
- Gisela Sedlmayer- author of 'Talon'
- Q&A with Jackie Longino founder of Aspietravel
- Inspirational travel stories by our guest writers
- Danette Schott's-Revisiting family vacations
- Brian R. King-Meltdown at the airport
- Joy's visit to the Aquarium
- Denise Klipsic-An incredible encounter with Princess Tiana
- Tanya Savko- Hope on a river
- Tiffany Robison-Great Wolf Lodge
- Fiona Westner Ramsay -Making-room-for-autism-in-your-canoe
- Laura Shumacher-Traveling with autism: a true story
- Phyllis Fanzo Lombardi-s -Vacation Time with Joey
- Kristina Chew-18 Miles On the Bikes At the Beach
- Jeff Katz-Chicago
- Margaret Ann Franklin's visit to the Great Northern Carousel in Helena Montana
- Claire Sarcone-Chessington the aspie way
- Elaine Hall-Tips for summer vacation
- Steve LHeureux -Autism "Outings" need to be planned and appropriate
- Kelly Green-The Gardens of Gilroy
- Wolfie Blue-Tips I learnt by traveling with my family
- Gluten free Disney cruise experience
- Danette Schott's-Revisiting family vacations
- North,Central and South America-pictures,videos and AG's tips
- Arizona,The Grand Canyon
- Alaska Cruise-USA and Canada
- Florida,Orlando-Universal Studios-looking for Harry Potter
- Florida,Orlando-Macy's mini parade in Universal Studios
- Florida-Everglades Park ,Miami,Key West
- Hawaii's big island with a glimpse of Pearl Harbor
- Louisiana,New Orleans-French Quarter,Christmas Parade,Nanchez Steamboat
- Louisiana,New Orleans-in the footsteps of Katrina,Garden district
- Massachussetts-Boston ,New England Coastal towns of NH and Maine
- New York-NYC
- New Mexico-Santa Fe and Bandoliers National Park
- Pennsylvania-Philadelphia
- Texas-San Antonio and Galveston
- Canada-Niagara Falls,Montreal,Quebec,Toronto
- Caribbean-Bahamas- the Atlantis resort
- Caribbean-Castaway Cay-Disney's bahamian paradise
- Caribbean-Roatan,Honduras>
- Caribbean-Grand Caymans-Hell,Turtles,Wild Hens and Stingrays>
- Mexico-Cabo San Lucas(Mex Riviera)
- Mexico-Puerta Vallarta (Mex Riviera)
- Mexico-Acapulco and Manzanillo
- Mexico-Mazatlan(Mex Riviera)
- Mexico-Playa del Carmen's Xcaret eco park>
- Mexico-Tulum and XelHa Eco Park
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- Canary Islands-Lazarote
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- France-Normandy's D day beaches>
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- France-Paris
- Finland,Helsinki
- Germany-Munich,Dachau
- Germany-Romantic Road
- Ireland-Dublin
- Ireland -Cork,Blarney,Kinsale>
- N. Ireland-Belfast>
- N. Ireland's Giant Causeway
- N.Ireland-Carrick -a -Rede-rope bridge>
- Italy-Venice,Pompeii,Rome
- Italy-Florence,Messina and Taoramina
- Israel-Jerusalem>
- Israel-Masada and the Dead Sea>
- Israel-Tel Aviv>
- Morocco-Casablanca
- New Zealand-Rotarua
- New Zealand-Fjord Park,Dunedin,Christchurch
- New Zealand - Auckland and sheep farm
- The Netherlands-Amsterdam,Delft,The Hague,Rotterdam,Madurodam
- Sweden-Stockholm and the Archipelago
- Russia-St Petersburg's Palaces
- Scotland-Royal Yacht Britannia in Edinburgh
- Scotland-Edinburgh>
- Scotland-Inverness>
- Scotland-Loch Lommond,Luss,Sottish sheep show>
- Spain-Barcelona
- Spain-Cadiz and Seville
- Spain-The Alhambra Palace,view of Malaga
- Tasmania-Hobart
- UK-Liverpool and the Beatles>
- UK-London>
- UK-Stonehenge,Bath,Warwick Castle,Stratford on Avon,Oxford
- UK-Guernsey>
- Carnival -Legend
- Aboard the Carnival Legend
- Carnival -Ecstasy
- Carnival- Fascination
- Carnival Spirit
- Celebrity-Century
- Crown Princess>
- Sapphire Princess
- Royal Caribbean-Brilliance of the Seas
- Royal Caribbean-Mariner of the Seas (parades)
- Royal Caribbean- Mariner of the Seas
- Australia-Sydney and Melbourne
- Monthly guest's -Travel videos and pictures
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Chicago Trip-Jeff Katz
read more of Jeff's blog at http://missionofcomplex.wordpress.com/about/
![Picture](/uploads/4/4/4/8/4448415/8474851.jpg)
Every year we go to Chicago to visit old friends and see the new restaurants, stores and, of course, bathrooms, that Nate has been keeping his eye on during the previous 12 months. Trips are usually accompanied with developmental leaps and, though those advances are less pronounced as he gets older, Nate was different this last week. The way he said things, the way he interacted, were, dare I say, more “ normal .”
Here are a few examples:
On Christmas Day, Rob, Joey and I went to see The Fighter. We didn’t get out of the theater until around 7:30. Still on Eastern Time, we were all very hungry as we proceeded with a very Jewish Christmas – movie and Chinese food. When we picked up Karen and Nate at the hotel, the Westin in Wheeling, and headed to Golden Chef, Karen told us how the two of them had hung around in the room. Around 7 or so, Nate proclaimed he was starving.
“I really was,” Nate chimed in as his Mom told the story. That phrase, “I really was,” was new to us. It showed Nate was listening, thinking, and reflecting on what he was hearing and what he felt. The delivery was pitch perfect.
When we got back to the room, Nate faced Joey as they sat on the two adjacent Queen sized beds.
“Joey,” Nate asked. “Do you like girls?”
“Yes,” Joey answered, waiting for the usual follow-up about Johnny Test, one of Nate’s favorite cartoon characters. But not this time.
With his head down, Nate said in a quiet conversational tone, almost sheepishly, “What girls do you like?”
We were all shocked by this, so much so that I had to tell Joey to answer. He did, with someone who will remain nameless for this post. I asked Nate if he liked any girls in college, and he haltingly said “Maybe.”
“That was the first real conversation I ever had with Nate,” Joey said afterward.
Nate had a moderate list of “toil aroids” he needed to take. I asked him how many he had. Usually he follows with a number, but this time he said “Not many.” Another sign of growth. As Dylan said, “Something is happening here, and I don’t know what it is.” But it’s good.
There were some typical Nate moments.
The funniest moment came when Nate was getting undressed for the night. He stood next to Joey’s bed, where Joey was lying down. With his underwear still on, Nate took a comic turn.
“I’m naked,” he yelled, covering himself up, arms crossed over his midsection
“No you’re not,” said Joey. With that, Nate dropped his drawers.
“Oh, now you are,” Joey horrified at what he saw, calmly commented. We all cracked up.
We rode the elevator at the Westin with a black couple, probably in their 30′s. Nate was staring at the plastic bag the woman held and, he was getting ready to say something. I can always tell: his face starts twitching a bit, as if he’s gearing up but not sure if he will speak and how.
Very sweetly, he spoke.
“Hello black lady, what restaurant is that from?” he inquired as he pointed to the bag.
“Bob Chinn’s. It’s very good,” she answered kindly. Bob Chinn’s Crab house is legendary in Wheeling.
I wasn’t sure if she had heard him, or not, but I felt compelled to explain when we got out on the fourth floor. She was very nice about it.
Our Chicago trips are usually bittersweet. We love Cooperstown but sorely miss Chicago. It’s the car rule that all musical choices are at the prerogative of the driver. Joey doesn’t drive, so Karen and I give him some say when we’re behind the wheel.
Rob was in the passenger seat, Joey in the way back and Nate behind me in the middle row.
“Can someone play ‘It’s All Too Much? ’” Joey begged.
Rob found it and, shortly after the opening guitar and organ riff, Nate spoke.
“This song is a little sad.”
I sort of heard him, but he was speaking low and I asked him to say it again. He did, and in a quick he was in full blubber. Nate misses our old home the most. He’s very nostalgic for Lincolnshire and the surrounding shopping centers. Once, the boys, my good friend Dan and myself saw Yellow Submarine at The Music Box Theater on Southport Ave in the city. Maybe the song triggered that memory.
We all get so sad when Nate’s sad. I kept asking him what was wrong and, finally, he spilled it.
“I’m sad about leaving Illinois.” He had pulled his black down hood over his eyes to cover his tears, and in the rear view mirror, I could see the lower half of his face, his bottom jaw jutting out, quivering.
“Do you want to pick a new song?”
He picked “Magical Mystery Tour,” thinking that would make him happy, but it took a long time to rebound. I could see Nate trying on lots of happy faces in an attempt to will the tear drops away.
All in all, it was a wonderful way to end 2010 and Nate is ready for his return trip. His plans for us have already begun.
Here are a few examples:
On Christmas Day, Rob, Joey and I went to see The Fighter. We didn’t get out of the theater until around 7:30. Still on Eastern Time, we were all very hungry as we proceeded with a very Jewish Christmas – movie and Chinese food. When we picked up Karen and Nate at the hotel, the Westin in Wheeling, and headed to Golden Chef, Karen told us how the two of them had hung around in the room. Around 7 or so, Nate proclaimed he was starving.
“I really was,” Nate chimed in as his Mom told the story. That phrase, “I really was,” was new to us. It showed Nate was listening, thinking, and reflecting on what he was hearing and what he felt. The delivery was pitch perfect.
When we got back to the room, Nate faced Joey as they sat on the two adjacent Queen sized beds.
“Joey,” Nate asked. “Do you like girls?”
“Yes,” Joey answered, waiting for the usual follow-up about Johnny Test, one of Nate’s favorite cartoon characters. But not this time.
With his head down, Nate said in a quiet conversational tone, almost sheepishly, “What girls do you like?”
We were all shocked by this, so much so that I had to tell Joey to answer. He did, with someone who will remain nameless for this post. I asked Nate if he liked any girls in college, and he haltingly said “Maybe.”
“That was the first real conversation I ever had with Nate,” Joey said afterward.
Nate had a moderate list of “toil aroids” he needed to take. I asked him how many he had. Usually he follows with a number, but this time he said “Not many.” Another sign of growth. As Dylan said, “Something is happening here, and I don’t know what it is.” But it’s good.
There were some typical Nate moments.
The funniest moment came when Nate was getting undressed for the night. He stood next to Joey’s bed, where Joey was lying down. With his underwear still on, Nate took a comic turn.
“I’m naked,” he yelled, covering himself up, arms crossed over his midsection
“No you’re not,” said Joey. With that, Nate dropped his drawers.
“Oh, now you are,” Joey horrified at what he saw, calmly commented. We all cracked up.
We rode the elevator at the Westin with a black couple, probably in their 30′s. Nate was staring at the plastic bag the woman held and, he was getting ready to say something. I can always tell: his face starts twitching a bit, as if he’s gearing up but not sure if he will speak and how.
Very sweetly, he spoke.
“Hello black lady, what restaurant is that from?” he inquired as he pointed to the bag.
“Bob Chinn’s. It’s very good,” she answered kindly. Bob Chinn’s Crab house is legendary in Wheeling.
I wasn’t sure if she had heard him, or not, but I felt compelled to explain when we got out on the fourth floor. She was very nice about it.
Our Chicago trips are usually bittersweet. We love Cooperstown but sorely miss Chicago. It’s the car rule that all musical choices are at the prerogative of the driver. Joey doesn’t drive, so Karen and I give him some say when we’re behind the wheel.
Rob was in the passenger seat, Joey in the way back and Nate behind me in the middle row.
“Can someone play ‘It’s All Too Much? ’” Joey begged.
Rob found it and, shortly after the opening guitar and organ riff, Nate spoke.
“This song is a little sad.”
I sort of heard him, but he was speaking low and I asked him to say it again. He did, and in a quick he was in full blubber. Nate misses our old home the most. He’s very nostalgic for Lincolnshire and the surrounding shopping centers. Once, the boys, my good friend Dan and myself saw Yellow Submarine at The Music Box Theater on Southport Ave in the city. Maybe the song triggered that memory.
We all get so sad when Nate’s sad. I kept asking him what was wrong and, finally, he spilled it.
“I’m sad about leaving Illinois.” He had pulled his black down hood over his eyes to cover his tears, and in the rear view mirror, I could see the lower half of his face, his bottom jaw jutting out, quivering.
“Do you want to pick a new song?”
He picked “Magical Mystery Tour,” thinking that would make him happy, but it took a long time to rebound. I could see Nate trying on lots of happy faces in an attempt to will the tear drops away.
All in all, it was a wonderful way to end 2010 and Nate is ready for his return trip. His plans for us have already begun.
About Jeff and Karen Katz’ oldest son Nate was born on August 30, 1990. Beautiful, smart, able to read at 3 years old, there was something clearly something off this boy. He babbled continuously, a steady stream of quotes from Disney videos and his favorite books. There was no voluntary speech. He rarely looked into the eyes of his parents. Jeff and Karen were at sea, troubled and unsure, heartbroken at the thought there was a problem. No one offered sound advice until a chance article in Karen’s hometown newspaper pointed them to hyperlexia, a disorder on the autism spectrum.
Through years of dedication, perseverance and an unyielding insistence that Nate could achieve much, Jeff and Karen, along with Nate’s brothers and a support group of teachers, aides, therapists and others, have worked with Nate to get him where he is today.
And where is that? Commuting to college at SUNY-Cobleskill, where he just finished his freshman year with a GPA of 2.96.
Through years of dedication, perseverance and an unyielding insistence that Nate could achieve much, Jeff and Karen, along with Nate’s brothers and a support group of teachers, aides, therapists and others, have worked with Nate to get him where he is today.
And where is that? Commuting to college at SUNY-Cobleskill, where he just finished his freshman year with a GPA of 2.96.