The benefit to having memberships at some of our local attractions is that our memberships often transfer to other places around the country. By benefit of our membership at the Maryland Science Center, we have access to interesting museums around the country… like the Virginia Living Museum, in Newport News, VA.
autism
Adios to Hodophobia
I’ve probably stated, ad nauseam, that we’ve been terrified of travel with the Monster. The big issue isn’t the “getting there” part, the changes to schedule, or other odd shifts… but nighttime issues.
And still, for some crazy reason, we’ve taken at least one more-than-a-day trip each year for the last few. Continue reading
A Playdate?
One thing that I think all parents of children with special needs worry about is whether or not their child will make friends.
Now, don’t get me wrong – the Monster loves other children. He likes being around other people, and when the other person is someone familiar, he definitely seems interested in at least saying hi or whatnot… even if he’s not really hot at playing with another person. But… playdates are few and far between, because his social skills are so behind the curve.
So imagine our shock when we got a note from another parent, via the camp, asking for a playdate with him. Continue reading
On the Road – Six Flags America (Revisited)
It’s been a while since my family journeyed down to Six Flags. It’s the nearest amusement park to our house (just barely), and while my wife and I used to have season passes before children, the park hasn’t had as much to offer to our family while both R and the Monster were younger. But now that both children are north of three feet tall…
Straddling the Sibling Line
Arrrr, mateys!
R’s in a fairly weird spot – he’s the younger sibling, but by nature of how profound the Monster’s Autism is, he’s oftentimes thrust into the role that a big brother would take. It’s a lot to shoulder, when you’re five years old.
And… when given the chance, it’s lovely to see how he rises to the challenge. Continue reading
Homebody
We’re fortunate that we’ve not had a problem to date of the Monster deciding to run away from us anywhere. He’s certainly had minor elopement incidents – one particular trip to Sesame Place comes to mind – but by and large, we’ve been very lucky. Between a couple of factors, that the Monster’s a compliant child and that we’ve gone through behavioral therapy to work on awareness that he needs to stick with us, we’ve been a little more relaxed about the whole thing.
(It also helps that he has his necklace, and doesn’t fight us about wearing it, which is a second layer of help in public.)
But that all said, we’re lucky that we’ve not had to worry really about elopement. I hear all the horrible stories, and my wife makes a point of bringing them up when they appear on Facebook or the like. But…
The fact is, Monster’s a homebody. Continue reading
HIT!
I suppose that certain things are inevitable when you’ve a child with communication issues. Frustration often boils over, and we’ve been accustomed to the fact that there are times that a meltdown’s going to happen… and to date, we’ve been fortunate that the Monster’s easily diverted. Certain kinds of meltdowns at certain times could be easily enough interpreted, and…
Well, we’ve reached a new behavior that’s not so easily diverted. Continue reading
Summertime News
Ah, summertime.
So while I’ve been quiet, we’ve been gearing up for the kids’ summertime activities. Both R and the Monster are going to camp for at least part of the summer (the Monster does have school in July, while R’ll be there the whole time), and last night was the camp orientation. Continue reading
The Monster Turns Nine
Another three-hundred sixty five days… and the Monster’s at his last birthday where he’s single-digits.
I see him every day – it’s hard to see how much really’s changed between last year and this… and then I go back to read last year’s entry and it’s more apparent. Continue reading
Field Trip
I keep meaning to post about what’s going on politically, and frankly… it keeps sapping my will to post. So let’s go with something a lot more happy – the Monster had a field trip today from his Hebrew school, and I got voluntold to chaperone.
And afterwards, I’m not regretting it one bit. Continue reading