I'm Fine!

Last night, James was lying on the couch, and when Ruth walked in, he said, "I'm fine!" It has just been the past few years he's been able to respond to familiar yes - no questions. Now he comes up with an appropriate statement without prompting! Miracles continue...
Of course, when I walked into the room, he said, "Please forgive me..." Kind-of made me nervous, and wonder what he'd done that needed forgiveness. I haven't seen anything so far. Maybe he was referring to the Thomas the Tank Engine coach he "borrowed". Maybe he was just quoting a routine that I'm not familiar with. Have to keep this in mind - it'll probably resurface some day!

Ebony was sick today!

Joy told Ruth 'Ebony was sick today! She missed school. She left me all alone." (This was without prompting!)
This from the little girl (not so little now) that we wondered if she would ever speak! So thankful for the precious gifts our children have been given.

Some days more autistic than others...

This morning was a beaut! For some reason James has developed this little routine where when he hears his sister coming down the stairs in the morning to get ready for school, he runs into the downstairs bathroom and roosts. When Ruth insisted that he get out so Joy could get ready, we had a squealing, fist hitting the wall outburst. The lack of communication is what is so hard. Fortunately the two didn't go into a "death spiral", and both got off to school in fairly good moods. Good morning! It's Monday...

A Trip to the Zoo

Today, we went to the zoo. Ruth has been having lots of pain in her hips, ankles, knees, so it was an adventure in pain for her. James & Joy were eager to go. Normally, James spends all day Sunday in our bed, listening to the radio. Joy loves to just stay home. But there was no trouble getting them dressed and out of the house for a trip to the zoo. The zoo closes at 5 PM (they'll let you wander until 6), and since we got there after 4 didn't have a lot of time (I can hear all those with autistic children going "uh-oh"). So, we warned them we would only have time to do the Africa section. (For them, the zoo is the rides - the boats, the train, the carousal, the aerial tram, and only the aerial tram is in the Africa area.)
They were great - very patient with Ruth as she had to rest frequently. We got to ride the aerial tram, see the lions, the zebra, the giraffe, and drum on the drums. By the time we got through the Africa section, it was 5:58. James was then ready to ride the carousel (saw it coming, didn't you). Ruth was calculating the distance to the exit to see if she could make it that far. James started to whine and ask for the boats, the train, the farm, the carousel. We told him - they're closed. Maybe we'll come back another day and do those things. Reluctantly, he got in the van. All the way to the restaurant, he continued fussing. Then, Joy piped up that she wasn't hungry, and just wanted to go home.
In earlier days, this would have been a recipe for disaster. But, we went into the restaurant, and had dinner. I am so proud of James & Joy - they were able to move on from what they wanted, and to adapt and enjoy what was happening instead. It was a good day, and we had a great time together.

You clepto you!

James, our middle son, has autism and is now 20 years old - how the time flies! We attended an open house at Sensory Critters this afternoon - Bob & Lisa Compton are wonderful folks, and they've started up an ABA Clinic in areas next to their store. I noticed James emerge from one of the therapy rooms with a Thomas the Tank Engine coach. (Yes, at 20, he's still into Thomas & friends). I told him he had to put it back. After a while, I noticed he didn't have the coach in his hands, so I figured he'd either set it down or put it back. After our visit, we went to IHOP for dinner, and then home. On the way in the house, out from his shorts pocket, James pulled the coach. Now we have another reason to go see Bob & Lisa...