My Autism Insights

Our last ‘holiday’ activity was to take a trip into New York City to visit the Swedish Cottage Marionette Theater located near 79th Street and Central Park West (there’s an entrance across from the Museum of Natural History).  You may question, “Why not visit the Museum?”  For a kid like Gus who gets overwhelmed with sensory overload very easily and wants to be everywhere at once, the Museum is fun, but it’s also an endurance trial that greatly shortens the length of time that he can manage himself.  The puppet theater, however, was just his speed.

We saw a production of Peter Pan.  The show lasted 55 minutes, perfect for short attention spans (of a 5 year old and a 7 year old with ADHD symptoms in addition to his Asperger’s).  It’s a very small theater, so even at its most crowded, there aren’t but so many kids.  It wasn’t very noisy or busy, and even the little bit of chatter before the show started was annoying Gus who was trying to listen to the music playing.  He coped.  Once the show started, he was thoroughly engaged and sat through it, probably better than some adults who were (very rudely) up and down, in and out of the theater.  At one point during a set change, there was music playing and a disco ball shone lights on the curtain, stage and ceiling.  It was like when Gus was a kid and used to get mesmerized by the ceiling fan or the wind blowing through the leaves in the trees.  Complete fascination.  Even MM got a little zoned out watching the lights.

It was a very long car trip for us, but worth it in the end, despite the obscene parking cost and the subsequent back pain I’m dealing with today.  We thought about taking the train and then subway, but I was worried about Gus getting overwhelmed and overly ‘bouncy’ in what would be for him a dangerous environment.  In the car though, the kids had a packed lunch and chilled out listening to their favorite music.  We got there early enough that they could spend some time at a playground near the theater to work out some of their energy before having to sit through the show.  Before making the trek home, we stopped in the boroughs to visit with my sister and have a bite to eat.  They slept on the ride home - easy peasy.

Many times it can be a challenge to find entertainment for children on the spectrum because of all the sensitivities to their environment.   I’ve found that little excursions to things like community theater, the puppet theater, smaller kids museums, or outdoor activities have worked best for us.  Both kids enjoy their time without getting sent over the edge.  And that works for me.

Or a brand new year as it were!  Happy New Year, readers!  Today I am thankful for:

• Getting home safely from our brief New Year’s Eve celebration at my cousin’s.  We got hit with a snowstorm yesterday morning, and decided to go out anyway as soon as the snow stopped.  The roads were kind of bad, but the kids were so excited about seeing her kids that we chanced it.  Her son is a few weeks younger than Gus and has a similar diagnosis.  They usually only interact in passing, but yet always seem excited to see each other.  They did play together yesterday, so it seems that they may progress toward being friends one of these days.
• I am thankful for a very patient and kind waitress this morning when we took the troops out for breakfast this morning.  In my infinite wisdom this morning, it didn’t occur to me that we had waited too late to get moving.  Gus has a much harder time with his coping skills when he’s tired or hungry.  So he got upset that we had to go to our table before he was ready, and he was quite rude to the waitress.  I wouldn’t say he had a full blown meltdown, but he was pretty loud and clearly distressed.  The waitress never even flinched or frowned, just went on as if he were being the most docile child on the planet.  Had I been less agitated myself, I would have thanked her especially.  The world needs more people like her.
• I am always thankful for the chance to start fresh and to try new things.  We got some good news yesterday which was a good omen for things to come.

What are you thankful for at the start of this new year?

  image by Designed to a T

I usually like to reflect on how our lives have developed over the past year.  Gus has had a very up and down year, but I think has come out ahead for it all.  Some of 2008’s highlights:

• Tried several dietary adjustments with no significant or sustained difference in Gus’s ability to focus or self-regulate in school.  But he is healthy which is always a plus.
• Tried medication, which in my opinion was a disaster.  It took my lively and brilliant little boy and crossed the roboticness of a Dr. Who Cyberman with the grumpiness of a Dalek.  I don’t see another medication trial in the near future unless there is some extenuating circumstance.
• Gus learned some new self-care skills this year: he can now put on shoes (with Velcro), dress with minimal prompting in the morning, and can put on fingered gloves independently.
• Gus learned to ride a two-wheeler AND within a month of learning completed a six-mile bike tour - a huge accomplishment for any seven year old.
• He joined a soccer team and really enjoys the game.

Those are just a few of the more momentous events of this past year.  Gus has expressed a desire to “behave better in school” in the coming year.  In addition, we plan to try to get him some more opportunities to socialize, possibly in a singing class or a special-needs bowling league.  In the spring, we should be able to start doing some bike riding together and we’re going to join a cycling club as a family.  That will open some opportunities for more of those long, scenic rides that are so calming for him, and may also allow him the chance to make a friend if that’s his wish.

One of the reasons I’m becoming attuned as a Kundalini Reiki practitioner is so that I can start using Reiki energy to help Gus to stay calm and focused.  If it has the benefit I’m confident it will, I’ll eventually teach him to channel Reiki energy himself.

In terms of the autism community at large, I’ll continue to share my lessons and experiences through this blog for as long as I am given a platform.  In the near future, a fellow blogger and author, Adonya Wong , will be guesting here on her virtual book tour.  She’s written a wonderful picture book entitled In My Mind and will discuss the book and her experiences with her son’s autism.  Adonya’s visit promises to spark some great discussion, and there will be a sweet giveaway as well.  Stay tuned!

So those are a few of our intentions for the coming year.  What progress have you seen this past year, and what are your plans for the days ahead?

To all my readers, new and old: Have a happy and safe New Year!