Next weekend I will venture out with my husband and Kiddo to a science museum. It will be something totally off our routine. It will be a weekend so there's a good chance the place will be packed. I'm hoping to meet up with some other mom bloggers so lots of people we don't know. It is on paper all the ingredients for an epic meltdown waiting to happen. Why am I doing this? Simple, autism amnesia.
Why yes, I do often forget the limits of what my kiddo can and cannot do. He's ten. I really ought to know better by now. I don't always push the boundaries like this. Sometimes I like to do the stuff I always thought we would do once my kiddo was old enough to do it. I adapt to him all the time. I'd like him to extend me the same kindness now and then. Plus, it's not like I'm taking him to a portal of Hell. The stuff I plan to get him outside his box of interest is kid friendly stuff. A kid science museum that encourages kids to touch all the things plus an active ten year who would of touched all the stuff anyway, that should be a slam dunk.
I've done these little tests with him enough times to get Autism Amnesia. I get it in my head that everything is going to be just fine. That there's no need to prep and we can just wing things. So I have to keep reminding me to remind him that this thing is coming. I just spent twenty minutes writing a social story for him, complete with pictures. Thanks random folks who post pictures online of their kids doing things. You're all in my social story now. Don't worry. I only used the ones where your hair looked really good in the shot.
It's also possible that with enough prep he could totally surprise me. That this big outing will be a mutha loving delight to him. He could make a great game of looking all over the science museum for the exact folks that are pictured in his social story. He has before. Heck, if that alone keeps him busy so Mama can get some of her blog research done, I consider that a win. (Tune in for that post later next week!) This too will contribute to my Autism Amnesia in the future. I'll think to myself back to this event in the future. "Oh he was so awesome that day at the museum. Maybe he'll like going to the MoMA for the Andy Warhol retrospective." (Note to self, unless that retrospective includes a performance art piece of eating french fries around the globe, the answer is will be "What the hell were you drinking when you decided to do this lady?")
So wish us luck. The Kiddo will either have a heck of a time or give us a heck of a cardio workout as we run through the entire joint. I suspect I might get a rest if I promise a stop off in the overpriced cafeteria for fries. I"m either really brave or really forgetful. :-)
I think you're both. LOL Here's hoping all the prep pays off and he has a great time.
ReplyDeletegood luck, really hope it goes well for you all x
ReplyDeleteGood luck..we will need some ourselves when we take our 6 yr old nonverbal Autie to an Irish festival next weekend. He loves music, the more instrumental the better, and there will be 3 stages going throughout the day. We will of course bring our meltdown prevention arsenal...headphone's, chewies, his fave snacks and the tablet, etc. And patience....lots of extra self reminders to just breath and remember that no matter what happens, it's not like we are going to see any of the people that may stop and stare again!
ReplyDeleteOh yeah. My son (7 year old non-verbal with a side of Autism) can surprise us with meltdowns at every turn. He likes going out to eat, but once in awhile - bam, he'll throw a melt down at the restaurant. Or on the way to school (his favorite place in the whole world). He's getting better at letting us know what's causing the issue. Sometimes, it's as simple as an empty cup of water. Our favorite expression is "Never a dull moment." :D
ReplyDeleteOh Mama Fry,
ReplyDeleteMy Amnesia gene must be really strong...I push the envelope with our 5 yo nonverbal...sometime it goes well and sometimes, not so much. The hubby is always nervous as all get out....and will say it "was the worst", me, I just say, "there may have been an episode"...then it's forgotten and we're on to our next adventure!!!
I have this amnesia problem in the store often. Everything will be going fine then I accidentally turn down the spices and seasonings aisle. Alas, there are no headphones for the nose.
ReplyDeleteI love it when you write posts that are like you are in my head! Too funny! And when the meltdown happens after the amnesia, I want to face palm myself. Great post!
ReplyDeleteThis made me smile because we have taken our's to the museum and it sometimes it works but then other times we are in the quiet area that's open so that he can calm down. That's one thing I have learned as a parent autism is unexpected and I can never truly plan on anything. My husband will often say , "I knew this was a bad idea" but as mom I try not to listen to that little voice in my head telling me, "Don't do it."
ReplyDelete