Matt Knits Blog

April is Autism Awareness Month

2015-04-04T21:26:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone,

April is Autism Awareness month!

Please visit the Autism Society and Autism Speaks to participate.

Most importantly, I encourage you to spend some time with a person you know on the autism spectrum and find out more about his or her interests. Get into his or her shoes and you may make a friend!

Good News - Working again!

2013-10-07T16:35:00.000-07:00

It's been about a year since this blog has been updated - so many events have taken place this year. Matthew has now transitioned from working at Outback doing set-ups to working at a center-based employment facility with Valley Life since last summer.

Matthew has enjoyed working there doing processing work from folding bags and packing them up in boxes to sticking adhesive pads to small kits.

The family is happy that he is doing so well at his job. In addition, Matthew is working at knitting many different products, from blankets to scarves made of ruffle yarn.

Hope to finish updates soon - thanks for visiting and have a great day!

Matthew's Last Knitting Project - Baby Blanket

2012-05-23T16:55:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone,

Matthew has finished knitting a garter-stitched baby blanket for a client. He is very happy and hopes that the client and baby are happy too!

Working at Outback

2012-05-04T14:22:00.001-07:00

Matthew is doing a successful job working at Outback with the Southwest Autism Rehabilitation and Research Center (SARRC). You can read more about how others are doing well at SARRC by visiting the following article below from the Arizona Republic (azcentral.com):

Center links Valley autistic adults to jobs

Matt Knits Deadline Change

2009-08-03T14:49:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone, The Matt Knits website has changed to this Friday, August 7th.

Thanks again for your patience.

Please visit Knitting Pattern Central for some excellent tips and tricks on knitting!

As for a current update for Matt, he is doing real well in his day program and has knitted wrist warmers. We'll be sending a picture of the type of fabric that Matthew has made for his craft on this blog soon.

1&1 Web Hosting - Special Offer!

Mattknits.com Website Preview

2009-07-30T20:12:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone,
The webmaster is still in progress on the website tonight. Would you like a sneak peek?

Please tell us what you think about the new change. We at Mattknits.com hope you enjoy the new improvements to our website. Thanks!

Mattknits.com Updates

2009-06-24T18:05:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone,
this is a reminder that our website will continue its updates until July 31st.
Thank you for your patience.

Sarah Palin Walks for Autism

2009-06-11T18:30:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone,

Just last week, Alaska governor Sarah Palin went to New York to walk for those who have autism!

Please check out the link below from Autism Speaks: Sarah Palin Autism Walk

Bad News

2009-06-10T18:27:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone,

Sorry for not blogging so long. Matthew has been very busy with his job transitions. Matthew no longer works at the Yard House enclave due to work related issues.

The family is in the process of helping Matt get a new job at SARRC (Southwest Autism Research and Resource Center). Please be in prayer as the family continues to support Matthew in finding a job.

Merry Christmas from Matt Knits 2008!

2008-12-25T10:23:00.000-08:00

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
Hello everyone,

We at Mattknits.com wish you a wonderful, healthy, and safe Christmas and a Happy New Year !

Good News for Matt

2008-11-17T11:20:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone,

Matthew is currently working in an enclave at The Yard House at Desert Ridge Marketplace in Phoenix, Arizona. It is a Valley of the Sun based enclave. He is still attending the day program called Good Neighbor Support Services after work.

For those here in America, have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday, and thank you for your prayers for Matthew - they are helping him and the family get through each day.

Enclaves: A Work Alternative For Matt

2008-09-08T13:19:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone,

Matthew is currently on a waiting list to get in an enclave (a workplace where people with disabilities are always supervised).

The enclave that the family is hoping for is called Stars in Scottsdale, Arizona.

He is now attending a day program called Good Neighbor Support Services, which will assist Matthew in fun and recreational activities and also reinforce his social skills.

Vocational Rehabilitation

2008-08-07T14:15:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone,

For the past two months, Matthew has been placed in Vocational Rehabilitation, which is a branch of the state government that helps people with disabilities obtain a career in the workplace.

Matthew was working at a local thrift store to reinforce his interpersonal and customer service skills. He enjoyed working in the job (as all autistic people are in routine) but there was one
problem.

He needed supervision at all times, which the local thrift store does not provide. Matthew is currently looking for a job (specifically an onclave) that will help him with his work skills and to become more independent in the workforce.

Audio Integration Training (AIT) Week

2008-07-07T19:12:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone,

This is Audio Integration Therapy (AIT) week here at Matt Knits.

For the next two weeks (starting today), Matthew will be listening to music (he will have to tolerate headphones for 30 minutes twice a day for 10 days) from an occupational therapist, who uses a specialized CD Player that plays specific tracks with different frequencies. These frequencies are to help Matthew cope with major transitional changes, such as graduating from high school and then entering a job training program the same month.

Many people with autism frequently have problems dealing with social interactions and activities. This training is also to help Matthew comprehend the environment that he is in and to also make him more expressive in his social skills.

If you would like more information about AIT, please visit the following websites:

Fourth of July

2008-07-04T10:10:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone,

It's the fourth of July here in America.

Matt is having a wonderful time spending the evening with his grandparents and watching the fireworks at Tempe Town Lake on TV.

Here is a wonderful 4th of July hat to keep up the holiday cheer!

For all of our American Internet users, we at Matt Knits wish you a wonderful and safe holiday!

Jenny McCarthy Speaks about Autism

2008-06-06T19:07:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone,

Jenny McCarthy will speak about her personal crusade with her 6-year old autistic son. You can read the transcript or watch the interview here: Fox News On The Record

April is Autism Awareness Month

2008-04-01T14:03:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone,

Autism Awareness Month is here!
It is a time to remember and support those who have autism.If you would like more information about specific events or fundraisers that are going on this month, please visit the links below.

Medical News Today

Bounce For Autism (Autism Society of America)

Cafe Press Autism Awareness T-Shirts

California State University - Fresno State News Celebrates Autism Awareness Month

COSAC New Jersey Center for Outreach and Services for the Autism Community

Wrong Planet - Autism Awareness Month Tips

Spring Break

2008-03-17T12:00:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone,

Matthew is now on his Spring Break and will be working on some more of his knitting. Here are a couple of links for good spring and Easter knits:

Planet Green

Lion Brand Spring Knits

See you later.

Happy New Year

2008-01-01T07:47:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone,

Have a good New Year's Resolution for your autistic child or adult? Here are a few of Matt's resolutions:

Learn how to be a better knitter.
Learn how to read and understand my language better.
Do my chores so that I can earn more points and get rewards (such as a videotape or DVD).
I will try to do less compulsive behaviors during all of my therapy
sessions.

Hope you all have a wonderful New Year! Bye for now!

Merry Christmas from Matt Knits

2007-12-25T18:31:00.000-08:00

¡FELIZ NAVIDAD!
SEASON'S GREETINGS!

Hello everyone,

Christmas has finally come! Here are a couple of helpful tips that I use to help Matthew during the
holiday season:

Always be aware of changes in routine, such as weather disturbances (storms, rainy days, full moons - the gravitational pull of the moon can affect people's mental health), so try to keep a steady routine, such as writing out a daily schedule, and make sure that
schedule gets updated on an up-to-date basis.

NEED HELP FINDING A CHART?
The chart I use for
Matthew and is recommended by his behavioral therapist is ChartJungle -
They have charts for
FREE!

Try to be involved in activities that keep that person interested. For example, a few years ago, when Matthew was acting up after Sunday worship service, I entertained Matthew with games that he had played at school. I used a dry erase board and marker playing word games like Hangman. Now, it doesn't have to be something that basic - if you know what he or she likes, such as a Parker Bros.® Board Game, use it to try
to entertain that person.

Please be in prayer for Matthew and for all autisitic children and adults as the
next New Year approaches! God bless you all and have a safe and wonderful season!

First Blog Entry

2007-11-29T20:24:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone,
Welcome to Mattknits.com! We are excited to provide high quality hand knitted hats and scarves from a young autistic adult named Matthew Yee. We're glad that you are with us here today.

First question, what is it like to live with an autistic adult? Many adults who enter parenthood who know that their child has been diagnosed with autism often wonder what their child will be when he or she goes into adulthood -- and what are the symptoms and they should be looking for! For the first blog entry I will now turn to my father, whom I have interviewed in a research project for autism.

This is an interview of my father’s perspective on my brother Matthew.

1) Describe Matthew’s autism.
Dad: First of all, Matthew does not speak. He only says about two to three word phrases, but now he can say one sentence. His autism affects his ability to learn; he is at least four grades behind, which is part of his mental retardation. He lacks all social skills, which means he cannot relate to people. He does not like certain foods because of certain taste, and he does not like certain sounds because of his sensitive hearing. He has no concept of time and danger.

2) How does his autism affect our family?
Dad: Matthew always needs adult supervision wherever he goes. This means that your mother and I have to be focused constantly on Matthew over our priorities. We also have limits of travel and work, and also contact with family and friends.

3) What were Matthew’s symptoms when he was a child?
Dad: He failed to communicate and he stopped eating. He would cry and scream a lot, lacked eye contact, and failed to respond when we would call out his name. He had verbal and physical compulsive behaviors.

4) What were your reactions when the doctor reported that he was diagnosed with autism?
Dad: I had deep sorrow, grief, anger, shock, and a desire to help him.

5) What kind of treatment has Matthew been through?
Dad: He has medications from psychiatrists in order to deal with the real world and to improve his language. He attends regular psychological meetings to check his progression. In school, he had speech and physical therapy to help him with his life skills.

6) How has this treatment changed Matthew over the years?
Dad: The treatment has helped him to speak, read, calm down, improve in socialization, control his compulsive behavior, and to improve his vocabulary. He is considered a high-functioning autistic child. I also believe that God has healed him because of answered prayer and patience.

7) What are his hobbies/activities?
Dad: He likes hands-on activities, such as making crafts, being on the computer, reading books (he liked this recently), watching classic movies on video or television, and record music on audio tapes. He likes to collect videos, audio tapes, crafts, and other new toys.

8) What are Matthew’s routines during the day?
Dad: He gets up in the morning, gets dressed, goes to school (special ed schools in regular/summer school years), eats after school, takes a nap, gets on the computer, exercises with a workout video, does certain chores in the house, eats dinner, and goes to bed. Sometimes he would watch TV shows or videos in between.

9) What are Matthew’s current struggles in life?
Dad: Trying to overcome autism, of course. His major struggle is communication.

10) How does Matthew express his emotions?
Dad: He gets angry (tense), hits himself, and yells compulsive short phrases, which can be from TV infomercials or commercials, TV movie lines from broadcast or videos.

11) How challenging is it to live with Matthew?
Dad: It is extremely challenging to live with him.

12) How has Matthew changed your life, and what is your view on handling all handicapped people?
Dad: Our family and I thank the Lord for Matthew; we try to love him and take care of him, and I believe that handicapped and mentally disabled people should also be treated with the greatest love.

Thanks Dad for your interview about my brother Matthew.