Michael with Santa and Mrs. Claus
Last Sunday, we took some time out of our day of rest to go to the annual Autism Society Christmas Party. Every child receives a present from Santa, and Mrs. Claus is there as well to greet each family and get a photo op.
Although it is loud and crazy, I enjoy getting to see some of the parents and kids I don’t see all the time. Bob and Michael don’t care for it as much as I do, though, as both of them hate sitting and waiting our turn in the noisy, chaotic environment. After we had been there about an hour, Michael asked why we hadn’t gotten on the VIP list!!
Michael did enjoy doing some karaoke and getting to select a small prize for that. This year, I was also successful in distracting him when they were drawing raffle prizes, so he wasn’t aware that we didn’t win anything. He loved seeing and talking to Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Once we got back to our table and opened his present (a Lego Hero Factory item that had been at the top of his list only a couple of weeks earlier), he declared that he was tired of them and didn’t want it. Now after we got the present home and started playing with it, he was happy to have it. Also, we talked about he could use some of the money from his grandmother to buy a toy related to his newest interest, and then he admitted that he still liked Hero Factory but had thought that meant he couldn’t get anything else.
I’m guessing this might be the last year we go as a family as both Bob and Michael were completely stressed out once it was over. Maybe next year I will sign up to help in some way so I still get to see everybody and hear what’s been going on over the last year or so.
Check out more great pics at Special Exposure Wednesday and Wordless Wednesday.
I'm a mom with Asperger's raising an amazing son with autism, which means I'm basically the case manager/advocate/cheerleader/chauffeur. The rest of the time, you can usually find me with my nose in a book!
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Great photo!
Despite the changes in thinking keeping you on your toes, Michael shows some sophisticated thinking about toys. And planning to attend as a helper next year is very adaptive of you.
Merry Christmas!
Thanks for sharing the experience!
He seems to be enjoying his visit! I’m glad he ended up playing with the toy at home and liking it!
So cute how their minds work isn’t it? He thought he would get nothing else
My guy hasn’t realized that he can ask for specific things yet. How great would it be if I could keep it that way?
Such a great photo! Ironic that an autism event would be such sensory overload. Glad that he still enjoys the toy! I think that 1/2 the stuff that I have for my daughter from Santa is already passe.