The Never Normal

Most of these phrases and words harken back to when Jonah was much younger, and still lived at home with us.

All Done – Jonah’s declaration that it is high time to do/see/have something new/something else: in the past he would say “all ny-ah”

Black Soda – Pepsi, Coke, or any other type of cola

Boo – What I often call Jonah (partly a nod to Harper Lee’s character Boo Radley in To Kill a Mockingbird)

Bye-Bye -Usually a warning uttered by Jonah for you to please get away from me.

Camwa – Jonah’s pronunciation of “camera.”

Circle Pepperoni – What Jonah calls pre-sliced pepperoni

Closed – This is an event, activity, person, place, or thing that Jonah cannot do/see/have at the moment.

Cranberry Guster – Guster’s album Easy Wonderful.

Huck – Jonah’s pronunciation of “hug.”

IEP – Individualized Education Program

Lem-a-made – lemonade, one of Boo’s favorite drinks

Loop – a car ride comprised of specific turns which end up looping around in a circle

m m m – M & Ms, in Jonah lingo

Mess-a-kiss – Jonah’s way of asking to play whatever messages we’ve got stored on the answering machine.

Moneycoin – Any monetary unit that comes in coin form.  Penny, nickel, dime, quarter, etc.

NT – Neurotypical (a.k.a. “normal”)

Number One Park – The Voorheesville Elementary School playground

Oompa Oompa – What Jonah calls the original movie Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory

Open for Business – This is an event, activity, person, place, or thing that Jonah can now do/see/have.

Octopus – Any kind of those squishy rubbery toys with nub or finger-like appendages will fit the bill – even those that look like caterpillars or balls.

PECS -Pictures Exchange Card System, I think is the meaning of the acronym.  Usually used with non verbal or verbally limited individuals, it’s a way for these people to communicate through pictures of things like milk, playground, a stop sign, a van, a toothbrush, etc.

Perseverate – to be involved in something obsessively, or repeat something redundantly or repetitively

Quiet Time – Almost the same as a time out, this is a (usually brief) period spent lying on his bed in his room, though sometimes one of us will lie down with him and cuddle.  Sometimes not used as a punishment but rather a quasi-nap period.

Russro Park – The North Bethlehem Park on Russell Road.

Sugar – a Kit Kat (as opposed to the myriad of other sugar-laden chocolate bars or candies).

Swat – Jonah usually vocalizes and pantomimes the swat simultaneously, cocking his hand back shot-put style and then dropping it limp-wristed while saying “swat!”   It has quickly come to mean I am about to flip out, guys, and this is your warning.

Swim Pool – Any swimming pool, to Jonah, and sometimes just swimming in general

Take-Down – A behavioral management during which staff will guide Jonah to the floor using techniques to keep everyone safe.

The Village – A seemingly random arrangement of toys, stools, chairs, and other objects, usually concentrated in one area, which cannot under any circumstances be moved or rearranged without risking Jonah’s wrath.

White Soda – 7-up, Sprite, or any type of clear soda