Coke Machines

One of the things Isaiah really enjoys is pushing the buttons on a Coke machine. I think it is calming for him, but I'm not sure. He starts at the top, pushing all of the buttons from top to bottom, and sometimes names the color of the soda pictured on each button.

For the most part, this is not a big deal. It takes a couple of seconds, and then he is good to go. At times, however, it can be a problem. When we went to the Milwaukee Zoo, he was so overwhelmed by everything there was to see that all he wanted to do was push the buttons on Coke machines. And there are a LOT of them at the Milwaukee Zoo. We know. Isaiah pushed every.single.button.

- becky

Excellent Advice

I'm almost done reading the book Daniel Isn't Talking by Marti Leimbach. At the end of chapter 18, I came across some excellent advice.

Andy, a therapist, was talking to Daniel's mother who was concerned about what people (strangers) might think about her son when they see him out. His advice - "Other people don't have children with Autism. They are not entitled to an opinion."

I.Love.This.

- becky

Sometimes...

As Isaiah gets older, it seems as though we get more and more stares from people. Maybe it's because he is somewhat verbal, but not always in a functional way. Maybe it's because something in the room is too stimulating for him. Maybe it's because he doesn't understand what we are doing or asking him to do. Maybe it's because we have broken routine. Whatever the reason, it makes my heart sad.

Sometimes, though, a stranger will look at my child and see a little boy who does not appear to have developmental delays. This morning, I was pushing Isaiah and Mallory in the double stroller up to church for a pot luck picnic. An older gentleman was walking toward us, and Isaiah peeked his head out from under the awning and said, "Morning!" The smile on the man's face made my day.

- becky