Happy Birthday, Michael. And don't worry, we're getting you a GOOD ONE! LOL
Sunday, August 23, 2009
On the Spectrum #51 - Happy Birthday Michael, 2009!
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Happy Birthday, Michael. And don't worry, we're getting you a GOOD ONE! LOL
Happy Birthday, Michael. And don't worry, we're getting you a GOOD ONE! LOL
Sunday, August 16, 2009
On the Spectrum #50 - Time for bed, part 2
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Sometimes "quiet in the room" works out better than others...
So I've made it to 50 issues! W00t! W00t! And this is the last one that will post in the myspace blog. From this point onward, this blog will be the official home of On the Spectrum. I'm still going to maintain my MySpace page, but only as a personal profile and blog; not for the comic.
So if you're just tuning in, and wondering how I created 50 comic strips in two days, haha, yeah, I didn't. This strip was stared on MySpace over a year ago, OTS#1 posted on 7/31/08 to be precise. And while there are a lot of cool things you can do in MySpace (why would anyone use facebook?!) There are also some limitations with it that make the Google blog a better product, IMHO. I've still got to see if I can tinker with the size of the images though - it would be nice to be able to post them legibly w/o having to click out. I'll see what I can do about that. (Maybe do the four panels vertically?) We'll see what works. But every strip that posted over the past year on MySpace (OTS #1-49) has been moved here. And going forward, the strip should update about once a week, typically late Saturday night.
So please enjoy! And please feel free to leave comments, or send me a message. I really love hearing from everyone, and am fairly good about getting back. If you want to see my myspace page, it's www.myspace.com/on_the_spectrum. And it will be undergoing some major renovation now that the comic is here and that page has a different purpose. (And if you do check it out, scroll through the blog a bit. I've got some other comics that I've been working on, as well as some other tidbits, pics, youtube links, etc...)
Sometimes "quiet in the room" works out better than others...
So I've made it to 50 issues! W00t! W00t! And this is the last one that will post in the myspace blog. From this point onward, this blog will be the official home of On the Spectrum. I'm still going to maintain my MySpace page, but only as a personal profile and blog; not for the comic.
So if you're just tuning in, and wondering how I created 50 comic strips in two days, haha, yeah, I didn't. This strip was stared on MySpace over a year ago, OTS#1 posted on 7/31/08 to be precise. And while there are a lot of cool things you can do in MySpace (why would anyone use facebook?!) There are also some limitations with it that make the Google blog a better product, IMHO. I've still got to see if I can tinker with the size of the images though - it would be nice to be able to post them legibly w/o having to click out. I'll see what I can do about that. (Maybe do the four panels vertically?) We'll see what works. But every strip that posted over the past year on MySpace (OTS #1-49) has been moved here. And going forward, the strip should update about once a week, typically late Saturday night.
So please enjoy! And please feel free to leave comments, or send me a message. I really love hearing from everyone, and am fairly good about getting back. If you want to see my myspace page, it's www.myspace.com/on_the_spectrum. And it will be undergoing some major renovation now that the comic is here and that page has a different purpose. (And if you do check it out, scroll through the blog a bit. I've got some other comics that I've been working on, as well as some other tidbits, pics, youtube links, etc...)
On the Spectrum #49 - No 'hand-me-downs' for the first born!
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You can be forgiven if you don't get the joke right away. The thing it that while Michael doesn't seem to understand (or care) that flowers are typically for girls, he fully understood (and cared) that 'hand-me-downs' were for little brothers. In this scenario I guess novelty trumps gender appropriateness.
(And it's been awhile but the full image recycling count (of OTS#5) remains 6 - See OTS #'s 5, 14, 18, 27, 29 31; while the partial recycling count is now up to 4, see OTS #6, 24 & 26. LOL - It's far from the only art that gets recycled here, but I've gotten far more mileage out of that on than any of the others.)
www.myspace.com/on_the_spectrum
You can be forgiven if you don't get the joke right away. The thing it that while Michael doesn't seem to understand (or care) that flowers are typically for girls, he fully understood (and cared) that 'hand-me-downs' were for little brothers. In this scenario I guess novelty trumps gender appropriateness.
(And it's been awhile but the full image recycling count (of OTS#5) remains 6 - See OTS #'s 5, 14, 18, 27, 29 31; while the partial recycling count is now up to 4, see OTS #6, 24 & 26. LOL - It's far from the only art that gets recycled here, but I've gotten far more mileage out of that on than any of the others.)
www.myspace.com/on_the_spectrum
On the Spectrum #48 - 'Incredible' Scripting, part 2
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This is a continuation of OTS #47. This line is from Syndrome's speech that kicks of his final scene in the film.
www.myspace.com/on_the_spectrum
This is a continuation of OTS #47. This line is from Syndrome's speech that kicks of his final scene in the film.
www.myspace.com/on_the_spectrum
On the Spectrum #47 - 'Incredible' Scripting, part 1
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I'm sure you seen this! I think the technical term is 'scripting?' Sometimes it's in context, like above, sometimes it's when playing with toys, and sometimes it's just echolalic.
This is from Pixar's The Incredibles - another must-see, if you haven't. The line is from a scene at the beginning, when Dash was sent to the principles office, but was going to be let off, again, must to his teacher's chagrin.
Speaking of scripting, do any of you have a kid that doesn't know this one?:
800-588-2300 ... Empiiiiire ... Today!
(God I hate that song!)
www.myspace.com/on_the_spectrum
I'm sure you seen this! I think the technical term is 'scripting?' Sometimes it's in context, like above, sometimes it's when playing with toys, and sometimes it's just echolalic.
This is from Pixar's The Incredibles - another must-see, if you haven't. The line is from a scene at the beginning, when Dash was sent to the principles office, but was going to be let off, again, must to his teacher's chagrin.
Speaking of scripting, do any of you have a kid that doesn't know this one?:
800-588-2300 ... Empiiiiire ... Today!
(God I hate that song!)
www.myspace.com/on_the_spectrum
On the Spectrum #46 - Kiss my...
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I could be mistaken, but did my son just tell me to kiss his...? Nah, nevermind.
It just so happens that Michael's nickname is "Moony." I swear this isn't why!
www.myspace.com/on_the_spectrum
I could be mistaken, but did my son just tell me to kiss his...? Nah, nevermind.
It just so happens that Michael's nickname is "Moony." I swear this isn't why!
www.myspace.com/on_the_spectrum
On the Spectrum #45 - Silly Question, Grandpa!
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Ask a silly question...
I was sitting accross the table from him. I think I almost spit my coffee out. He writes it folks, I just draw it! I could never make this stuff up!
On the Spectrum #44 - Sunset in the Gulf
Just for a day, I'd like to see the vivd and amazing and confusing and frustrating and wonderful world that he sees.
This was in Florida, visitng with Grandma & Grandpa during the summer.
www.myspace.com/on_the_spectrum
On the Spectrum #42 - An Engineer's Life
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To answer your questions:
1) Yes, I am actually a seatbelt engineer.
2) Yes, it is possible for seat belt webbing to cut you if it routes over your neck. It's not common though, because...
3) Yes, we check the vehicle design to make sure it's routes so that this won't happen to most people.
and
4) Yes, given all that, it was Becky, Michael's speech therapist, who figured out what gave him the cut on his neck.
(It was a real high-point in my career, let me tell you!)
www.myspace.com/on_the_spectrum
To answer your questions:
1) Yes, I am actually a seatbelt engineer.
2) Yes, it is possible for seat belt webbing to cut you if it routes over your neck. It's not common though, because...
3) Yes, we check the vehicle design to make sure it's routes so that this won't happen to most people.
and
4) Yes, given all that, it was Becky, Michael's speech therapist, who figured out what gave him the cut on his neck.
(It was a real high-point in my career, let me tell you!)
www.myspace.com/on_the_spectrum
On the Spectrum #40 - A better door than a window
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I think this was his way of telling me, "Too bad. I ain't movin'!"
www.myspace.con/on_the_spectrum
I think this was his way of telling me, "Too bad. I ain't movin'!"
www.myspace.con/on_the_spectrum
On the Spectrum #39 - Pavlautism
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It's amazing what can happen given the right motivation, isn't it?
On the Spectrum #37 & 38 - Helen Keller jokes
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No, we do not approve of 'Helen Keller jokes'...
And we're probaly going to hell for thinking about them in that second to last panel!
This is one of my favorites though. "I want to put the couch away!" is one of the reasons this strip even exsists. It's not quite as funny at three in the morning... But still.
www.myspace.com/on_the_spectrum
No, we do not approve of 'Helen Keller jokes'...
And we're probaly going to hell for thinking about them in that second to last panel!
This is one of my favorites though. "I want to put the couch away!" is one of the reasons this strip even exsists. It's not quite as funny at three in the morning... But still.
www.myspace.com/on_the_spectrum
On the Spectrum #36 - Time for bed, part 1
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Not too much to say about this one! Captain Chaos (or is he General Disarray?) strikes again!
(EDIT: Wow. I first posted this a few months ago and I just now noticed that my pants are the wrong color in every panel except #3!)
www.myspace.com/on_the_spectrum
Not too much to say about this one! Captain Chaos (or is he General Disarray?) strikes again!
(EDIT: Wow. I first posted this a few months ago and I just now noticed that my pants are the wrong color in every panel except #3!)
www.myspace.com/on_the_spectrum
On the Spectrum #35 - Feelin' Sad
When I first posted this, a lot of people didn't get it. I guess the only thing I can really say is that, to me, Michael's feeling sad (whether becasue he felt bad about mistreating Jacob, because he made his mother sad, or just that his mother got angry with him) was his way of expressing remorse. So knowing he felt that way, I want to let DW know that she didn't have to worry. This was just the kind of thing that happens when you have two boys that are close in age. They fight. (And I'm guessing that neurotypical brothers or brothers and sisters probably don't really feel that bad about fighting, or even about getting in trouble over it! So everything's OK.
www.myspace.com/on_the_spectrum
On the Spectrum #34 - It wasn't me!
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In case you're wondering how much of this strip is just made up, or taken from stories I hear from other people, the answer is, "Very little." I do sometimes change the location or context, but almost everything is depicted exactly as it happened.
That being said, this one was not actually one of ours. I witnessed this in the speech therapist's waiting room. Michael and another boy, Blake, had just finished a group session and were putting their shoes and coats on when Blake let one go. When his mother aksed him, "What do you say?" Well... see above! I almost died. (From laughing, not... well... you know!) LOL. (And IIRC, her answer to him was, "That's right!" which I found even funnier!)
www.myspace.com/on_the_spectrum
In case you're wondering how much of this strip is just made up, or taken from stories I hear from other people, the answer is, "Very little." I do sometimes change the location or context, but almost everything is depicted exactly as it happened.
That being said, this one was not actually one of ours. I witnessed this in the speech therapist's waiting room. Michael and another boy, Blake, had just finished a group session and were putting their shoes and coats on when Blake let one go. When his mother aksed him, "What do you say?" Well... see above! I almost died. (From laughing, not... well... you know!) LOL. (And IIRC, her answer to him was, "That's right!" which I found even funnier!)
www.myspace.com/on_the_spectrum
On the Spectrum #33 - Bottom of the ninth
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This is very closely related to OTS #20. (Notice the recycled backlground? LOL) It's kind of the flip side of it. In that one Jacob was completely oblivious to my calling him. In this one I'm completely oblivious to him.
Which begs the question...
Who is less aware of their surroundings, an autistic child who's focused on something, or a man who's really into watching 'the game?' I'm not so sure... There are times (7th inning and onward the in post season?) where you could set my shoes on fire and I might not notice until after the third out.
www.myspace.com/on_the_spectrum
This is very closely related to OTS #20. (Notice the recycled backlground? LOL) It's kind of the flip side of it. In that one Jacob was completely oblivious to my calling him. In this one I'm completely oblivious to him.
Which begs the question...
Who is less aware of their surroundings, an autistic child who's focused on something, or a man who's really into watching 'the game?' I'm not so sure... There are times (7th inning and onward the in post season?) where you could set my shoes on fire and I might not notice until after the third out.
www.myspace.com/on_the_spectrum
On the Spectrum #32 - A likely story
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Yeah... DW wasn't too happy with me that day. And I can't say I blame her - it took us a a few weeks to re-teach him the difference between ice cream and broccoli! So yeah, I kind of won "Worst Parent in the World" that day! There's nothing like sabotaging your son's language development just because you don't want to share the ice cream!
www.myspace.com/on_the_spectrum
Yeah... DW wasn't too happy with me that day. And I can't say I blame her - it took us a a few weeks to re-teach him the difference between ice cream and broccoli! So yeah, I kind of won "Worst Parent in the World" that day! There's nothing like sabotaging your son's language development just because you don't want to share the ice cream!
www.myspace.com/on_the_spectrum
On the Spectrum #31 - 'E' is for 'Echolalia'
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Just in case you were wondering... :)
(Full image recycling count up to 6. See OTS #'s 5, 14, 18, 27 & 29. Partial recycling count remains at 3, see OTS #6, 24 & 26. LOL)
www.myspace.com/on_the_spectrum
Just in case you were wondering... :)
(Full image recycling count up to 6. See OTS #'s 5, 14, 18, 27 & 29. Partial recycling count remains at 3, see OTS #6, 24 & 26. LOL)
www.myspace.com/on_the_spectrum
On the Spectrum #30 - How to cope with a haircut
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This is actually how we first got through haricuts. Before this, he'd have to sit on my lap for the longest time, and I'd have to hold him while they used the clippers, which he hated, because he wouldn't sit still enough for the scissors. He's fine with it now, and has been for awhile. He still doesn't like it but he can cope. Jacob has just recently gotten to the point where he can sit on his own as well. I still need to stay nearby (like in the next chair) though. With Michael, I no longer need to leave the waiting area.
www.myspace.com/on_the_spectrum
This is actually how we first got through haricuts. Before this, he'd have to sit on my lap for the longest time, and I'd have to hold him while they used the clippers, which he hated, because he wouldn't sit still enough for the scissors. He's fine with it now, and has been for awhile. He still doesn't like it but he can cope. Jacob has just recently gotten to the point where he can sit on his own as well. I still need to stay nearby (like in the next chair) though. With Michael, I no longer need to leave the waiting area.
www.myspace.com/on_the_spectrum
On the Spectrum #29 - All wet!
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There are a few, really striking differences between Michael and Jacob. One of the biggest is there tolerance to being wet. Jacob can play outside, jumping on the trampoline in a driving rain. But if Michael gets a single drop of water him, he'll change all of his clothes, right down to his socks and underwear. What's depicted here is not exagerated in the slightest!
It's just one of Michael's sensory issues. He just HATES the feeling of wetness on his clothing. (So guess which one was easier to potty-train?)
(Full image recycling count up to 5. See OTS #'s 5, 14, 18, & 27. Partial recycling count remains at 3, see OTS #6, 24 & 26. LOL)
www.myspace.com/on_the_spectrum
There are a few, really striking differences between Michael and Jacob. One of the biggest is there tolerance to being wet. Jacob can play outside, jumping on the trampoline in a driving rain. But if Michael gets a single drop of water him, he'll change all of his clothes, right down to his socks and underwear. What's depicted here is not exagerated in the slightest!
It's just one of Michael's sensory issues. He just HATES the feeling of wetness on his clothing. (So guess which one was easier to potty-train?)
(Full image recycling count up to 5. See OTS #'s 5, 14, 18, & 27. Partial recycling count remains at 3, see OTS #6, 24 & 26. LOL)
www.myspace.com/on_the_spectrum
On the Spectrum #28 - Neither snow nor rain nor gloom of night...
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I drive a PT Cruiser. And Michael really likes haveing the sunroof (and windows) open. Rain, snow... not important!
www.myspace.com/on_the_spectrum
I drive a PT Cruiser. And Michael really likes haveing the sunroof (and windows) open. Rain, snow... not important!
www.myspace.com/on_the_spectrum
On the Spectrum #27 - Spirited Away
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This one might need some explaining! (To anyone who hasn't seen the movie, anyway!)
I originally posted this in tribute of Hayao Miyazaki's 67th birthday in January, 2009. Miyazaki-san is an amazing animated filmaker from Japan. The images above are from what is often considered his greatest film: Spirited Away. If you've never seen see it, WATCH IT. It's an absolute masterpiece! Truly one of the great, classic films of all time.
In the scene depicted, the main character, Chihiro, is trying to get the witch Ubaba to give her a job. She was warned that Ubaba would initally say, "No," but to keep trying. So Chihiro keeps pestering her, just as Michael is doing to me. (Hence what it reminds me of.) This goes on even to the point where Ubaba uses her magic to zipper Chihiro's mouth shut! But Chirio keeps at it anyway, and eventually the witch relents. (I do not recall, however, if I ended up giving Michael the Coke. LOL. He can be incredibly persistant though!)
This was one of Michael's favorite when I originally put it up. Spirited Away is one of his favorit movies too, and as soon as he saw the strip he immediately said, "DOOOOON'T SAAAAAY THAAAAAT AGAAAAIN!!!" in a passable imitation of the old crone's!
(Full image recycling count up to 4. See OTS #'s 5, 14, & 18. Partial recycling count remains at 3, see OTS #6, 24 & 26. LOL)
www.myspace.com/on_the_spectrum
This one might need some explaining! (To anyone who hasn't seen the movie, anyway!)
I originally posted this in tribute of Hayao Miyazaki's 67th birthday in January, 2009. Miyazaki-san is an amazing animated filmaker from Japan. The images above are from what is often considered his greatest film: Spirited Away. If you've never seen see it, WATCH IT. It's an absolute masterpiece! Truly one of the great, classic films of all time.
In the scene depicted, the main character, Chihiro, is trying to get the witch Ubaba to give her a job. She was warned that Ubaba would initally say, "No," but to keep trying. So Chihiro keeps pestering her, just as Michael is doing to me. (Hence what it reminds me of.) This goes on even to the point where Ubaba uses her magic to zipper Chihiro's mouth shut! But Chirio keeps at it anyway, and eventually the witch relents. (I do not recall, however, if I ended up giving Michael the Coke. LOL. He can be incredibly persistant though!)
This was one of Michael's favorite when I originally put it up. Spirited Away is one of his favorit movies too, and as soon as he saw the strip he immediately said, "DOOOOON'T SAAAAAY THAAAAAT AGAAAAIN!!!" in a passable imitation of the old crone's!
(Full image recycling count up to 4. See OTS #'s 5, 14, & 18. Partial recycling count remains at 3, see OTS #6, 24 & 26. LOL)
www.myspace.com/on_the_spectrum
On the Spectrum #26 - Happy Birthday, Grandma
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Happy Birthday, Mom!
This is Grandma's first appearance. It's also the first (only?) time I've managed to work as many as SIX recurring charecters into one strip!
(Full image recycling count remains at 4. See OTS #'s 5, 14 & 18. Partial recycling count is up to 3, see OTS #6 & 24. LOL)
www.myspace.com/on_the_spectrum
Happy Birthday, Mom!
This is Grandma's first appearance. It's also the first (only?) time I've managed to work as many as SIX recurring charecters into one strip!
(Full image recycling count remains at 4. See OTS #'s 5, 14 & 18. Partial recycling count is up to 3, see OTS #6 & 24. LOL)
www.myspace.com/on_the_spectrum
On the Spectrum #25 - HOW many...?
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I find this is a good test to see if he's just messin' around, or is he really doesn't understand. So far he hasn't called my bluff. LOL
www.myspace.com/on_the_spectrum
I find this is a good test to see if he's just messin' around, or is he really doesn't understand. So far he hasn't called my bluff. LOL
www.myspace.com/on_the_spectrum
On the Spectrum #24 - Have a neat and orderly Xmas!
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Again, I'll never understand how kids who line things up perfectly, just for fun, can have such messy rooms! The two of them have earned the nicknames, "Captain Chaos" and "General Disarray." (Yeah, we're South Park fans, too.)
This is "Grandpa's" first appearance.
(Full image recycling count remains at 4. See OTS #'s 5, 14 & 18. Partial recycling count is up to 2, see OTS #6. LOL)
www.myspace.com/on_the_spectrum
Again, I'll never understand how kids who line things up perfectly, just for fun, can have such messy rooms! The two of them have earned the nicknames, "Captain Chaos" and "General Disarray." (Yeah, we're South Park fans, too.)
This is "Grandpa's" first appearance.
(Full image recycling count remains at 4. See OTS #'s 5, 14 & 18. Partial recycling count is up to 2, see OTS #6. LOL)
www.myspace.com/on_the_spectrum
On the Spectrum #23: A Christmas Carol
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But I like singing! :(
(Full image recycling count is now up to 4. See OTS #'s 5, 14 & 18. Partial recycling in OTS #6 also. LOL)
www.myspace.com/on_the_spectrum
But I like singing! :(
(Full image recycling count is now up to 4. See OTS #'s 5, 14 & 18. Partial recycling in OTS #6 also. LOL)
www.myspace.com/on_the_spectrum
On the Spectrum #21 - Oh, Christmas Tree...
This is one of my favorite stories. There are three or four that I could cite as being what inspired me to start doing the comic strip and this is one of them. When he said, "Water," I almost died laughing. Becuase it's so perfect! He was absolutely, 100% correct - and yet gave me an answer I never saw coming!
I believe that, in his mind, we have to follow the procedure. And (silly, Daddy) you have to water the tree about 15-20 times before the presents go there!
(And the reason Iasked him what kind of tree it was is that he has grandparetns in Florida and was getting "pine" tree and "palm" tree mixed up; so I thought I'd test him. "Christmas" Tree was another answer that, while 100% correct, was totally not one of teh things I expected him to say.
On the Spectrum #20 - Indoor Voice
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This is one of Michael's absolute favorites. I think he thinks it's funny when Jacob gets yelled at.
There a lesson here, and it applies to both autistics as well as neurotypical people who happen to not speak your language: TALKING LOUDER PROBABLY WON'T HELP.
www.myspace.com/on_the_spectrum
This is one of Michael's absolute favorites. I think he thinks it's funny when Jacob gets yelled at.
There a lesson here, and it applies to both autistics as well as neurotypical people who happen to not speak your language: TALKING LOUDER PROBABLY WON'T HELP.
www.myspace.com/on_the_spectrum
On the Spetrcum #19 - Paparazzi
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This must be an age / developmental stage kind od thing because, shortly after I originally posted this, the situation reversed and Jacob became camera-shy while Michael started striking poses and giving us the best 'cheeeeeeese'es. So if anyone out there is experiencing this, I'm pretty sure I can say, "It will pass."
www.myspace.com/on_the_spectrum
This must be an age / developmental stage kind od thing because, shortly after I originally posted this, the situation reversed and Jacob became camera-shy while Michael started striking poses and giving us the best 'cheeeeeeese'es. So if anyone out there is experiencing this, I'm pretty sure I can say, "It will pass."
www.myspace.com/on_the_spectrum
On the Spectrum #18 - Truth in Lies
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Well... at least he was... honest? It really amazes me how much trouble Jacob can get into. Especially when he not even in the house!
(Full image recycling count is up to 3. See OTS #'s 14, 5. Partial recycling in OTS #6 also. LOL)
www.myspace.com/on_the_spectrum
Well... at least he was... honest? It really amazes me how much trouble Jacob can get into. Especially when he not even in the house!
(Full image recycling count is up to 3. See OTS #'s 14, 5. Partial recycling in OTS #6 also. LOL)
www.myspace.com/on_the_spectrum
On the Spectrum #17 - Brotherly Love, part 1
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Ah... No love like brotherly love.
To be fair, I did say, "Give him a push," didn't I? You've gotta watch what you leave open to interpretation.
This scene must have taken place in the same room as the Halloween conversation. Either that, or I'm getting really lazy with the backgrounds lately!
On the Spectrum #15 & 16 - Happy Halloween, Parts 1 & 2
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*Elmo and Zoe are the property of Sesame Street
He laughed so hard when he said "Zoe" that I'm pretty sure he WAS joking / just trying to get a rise out of me. He does that. There are many that doubt whether autistics truly can have a sense of humor, but Michael absolutely does. That's why I say that he writes the comic, and I just draw it.
And how about that fancy background, huh? A single, horizontal line! Scott Adams, eat your heart out! LOL
www.myspace.com/on_the_spectrum
*Elmo and Zoe are the property of Sesame Street
He laughed so hard when he said "Zoe" that I'm pretty sure he WAS joking / just trying to get a rise out of me. He does that. There are many that doubt whether autistics truly can have a sense of humor, but Michael absolutely does. That's why I say that he writes the comic, and I just draw it.
And how about that fancy background, huh? A single, horizontal line! Scott Adams, eat your heart out! LOL
www.myspace.com/on_the_spectrum
On the Spectrum #14 - The Great Cookie Thief!
(click to enlarge)
You see that milk glass?
He ALWAYS puts his glass or cup right on the edge of the table, next to his right elbow. And he's NEVER SPILLED IT. Mine wouldn't ten seconds in that position! I don't know how he does it. And is we move it, he'll put it right back there!
This is also the first of many times that I recycle the image of Michael sitting at the table from OTS#5. (Although part of it, just his face, was also used in OTS#6 - in the picture hanging on the wall.)
www.myspace.com/on_the_spectrum
You see that milk glass?
He ALWAYS puts his glass or cup right on the edge of the table, next to his right elbow. And he's NEVER SPILLED IT. Mine wouldn't ten seconds in that position! I don't know how he does it. And is we move it, he'll put it right back there!
This is also the first of many times that I recycle the image of Michael sitting at the table from OTS#5. (Although part of it, just his face, was also used in OTS#6 - in the picture hanging on the wall.)
www.myspace.com/on_the_spectrum
On the Spectrum #13 - Damn Yankees!
This was originally written and posted just before the 2008 MLB Playoffs. We're all huge Red Sox fans, and while we didn't make it to the big show that year, it was still a sweet post-season, as it was the first one since my junior year in college (1995) not to include those damned YANKEES!
(Of course, it's looking more and more every day like the tables will be turned this year, but we'll see. There's still a lot of baseball left to play!)
www.myspace.com/on_the_spectrum
On the Spectrum #12 - Killing Time
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This is a story I got out of a parent-teacher conference with Michel's teacher. He was potty-trined at this point, but in a special education setting, it's still normal practived to let a kid go to the bathroom no questions asked. But she had noticed that Micahel always seemed to want to go about 10 minutes before recess, as if to just kill time and get out of finiching his work. So she tested him and lo and behold, once it was time for recess he didn't have to go anymore!
BTW, the teacher here, "Wendy" is based on Michael's Special Education teacher in Kindergarten and First Grade. I consider her a minor-recurring charecter (similar to Becky) but I'm not quite sure when she'll make her next appearance.
On the Spectrum #11 - Queer eye...
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I've been told that "real men" only know about 12 colors: black, white, yellow, orange, red, pink, purple, blue, green, brown, grey and tan. That's the tiny Crayola Crayon pallatte that exists in our minds. So if there are any "real men" reading this who still don't know what TEAL is, or are wondering where I learned about it: You might know it as "expansion team blue."
Think the NBA's Charlotte Hornets or MLB's Florida Marlins or a least one of the expansion teams in any sport, every time the league adds a few teams. Now you know what that color is actually called! (And so does Jacob.)
On the Spectrum #10 - All Work and No Play...
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This kind fo creeped me out a little. Do remember The Shining? "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy?" On every single page? Over and over?
On the Spectrum #8 - Solving the Mystery
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At the time this happened, it was the longest conversation I'd ever had with him.
On the Spectrum #7 - The Peanut Butter and Jelly Incident
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Believe it or not, I did this on purpose. Just out of curiosity to see if hed notice, or what he'd do. I don't indulge that part of my curiosity any more.
www.myspace.com/on_the_spectrum
Believe it or not, I did this on purpose. Just out of curiosity to see if hed notice, or what he'd do. I don't indulge that part of my curiosity any more.
www.myspace.com/on_the_spectrum
Saturday, August 15, 2009
On the Spectrum #6 - Do as I say, not...
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Amazing how quick they can pick some things up, huh? (BTW... to be fair, and to maintain her permission to keep using her likeness, this may not have happened quite like this. At least, that's what my wife tells me.)
This is Jacob's first appearacnce. He's the younger brother. Although he also has delayed speech. he ios more likely than Michael to repeat something after you say it. (Especially if it's something you don't want him to!)
On the Spectrum #5: I Want Lemonde
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I think my actual thought was, "Sheesh, once they start talking, they never shut up!" Well, as funny as that sounds, it reads kind of harsh. So yeah, I kind of pulled my punch on this one.
BTW - this picture of Michael at the table will get recycled a LOT. I probably shouldn't admit that, but what the heck. I have technology, so why should I draw more than I have to? XP
On the Spectrum #4 - Conversations Without Words
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I was really amazed when this happened. I saw him pick up this 'king-size' Snicker's Bar. It was about as big as his forearm. He rolled it over in his hands for a few seconds, and gave me this sort of sideways glace, that seemed to say, "I wonder..." The he looked up me with this priceless "can I have this?" look, but one that also kind of betrayed the fact that he knew it was bit of a longshot - sort of an "I'll give it a try," kind of effort. And when I shook my head I was fully prepared for the worst, but he put it back and rolled his eyes as if to say, "Yeah, I figred as much, no harm in trying though..."
At the time I was struck by how profoundly normal a moment it was. And there really was rather a lot going on, converstaion-wise (more than I can adequately depict artistically) considering that we didn't say a single word!
www.myspace.com/on_the_spectrum
I was really amazed when this happened. I saw him pick up this 'king-size' Snicker's Bar. It was about as big as his forearm. He rolled it over in his hands for a few seconds, and gave me this sort of sideways glace, that seemed to say, "I wonder..." The he looked up me with this priceless "can I have this?" look, but one that also kind of betrayed the fact that he knew it was bit of a longshot - sort of an "I'll give it a try," kind of effort. And when I shook my head I was fully prepared for the worst, but he put it back and rolled his eyes as if to say, "Yeah, I figred as much, no harm in trying though..."
At the time I was struck by how profoundly normal a moment it was. And there really was rather a lot going on, converstaion-wise (more than I can adequately depict artistically) considering that we didn't say a single word!
www.myspace.com/on_the_spectrum
On the Spectrum #3 - "Organizing" the DVD's
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Can someone please explain to me how a kid who loves to put everything in perfectly strait lines can manage to have such a messy room?! LOL.
I felt kind of bad about this. Actually it was never common for Michael to line things up, or Jacob for that matter. I guess he just got really bored.
This is Michael's first appearance. At this point he's still non-verbal, but we'll be past that phase pretty soon. Michael and I are the predominant charecters in the strip. In fact I need to give credit hwere it's due: More than anyone else it's really MICHAEL that writes the strip; at least 80% of it. I just draw it. But you just can't make some of this stuff up - it's all him; well... most of it anyway.
www.myspace.com/on_the_spectrum
Can someone please explain to me how a kid who loves to put everything in perfectly strait lines can manage to have such a messy room?! LOL.
I felt kind of bad about this. Actually it was never common for Michael to line things up, or Jacob for that matter. I guess he just got really bored.
This is Michael's first appearance. At this point he's still non-verbal, but we'll be past that phase pretty soon. Michael and I are the predominant charecters in the strip. In fact I need to give credit hwere it's due: More than anyone else it's really MICHAEL that writes the strip; at least 80% of it. I just draw it. But you just can't make some of this stuff up - it's all him; well... most of it anyway.
www.myspace.com/on_the_spectrum
On the Spectrum #2 - Preping the 'Sitter
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This conversation DID take place as depicted, but it was aditedle many year ago. Since then, Michael has absolutely started talking (getting him to STOP is harder now) but Jacob still doesn't listen!
However, if I were to make tee-shirts, or some kind of logo for OTS, it would be 'three monkeys' theme: with Michael covering his mouth (speak no evil / doesn't talk), Jacob covering his ears (hear no evil / doesn't listen) and DW covering my eyes (see no evil / loves 'em anyway!)
www.myspace.com/on_the_spectrum
This conversation DID take place as depicted, but it was aditedle many year ago. Since then, Michael has absolutely started talking (getting him to STOP is harder now) but Jacob still doesn't listen!
However, if I were to make tee-shirts, or some kind of logo for OTS, it would be 'three monkeys' theme: with Michael covering his mouth (speak no evil / doesn't talk), Jacob covering his ears (hear no evil / doesn't listen) and DW covering my eyes (see no evil / loves 'em anyway!)
www.myspace.com/on_the_spectrum
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