As I was sharing a couple of Michael stories with a coworker this morning, I realized that I should be writing these down so I will be able to remember them better. Just the other day, Michael asked for syrup on his pancakes and I realized that he is pronouncing the word correctly after years of saying “sir-ee-up” instead. It made me long for the adorable cuteness of the old way.
So, here’s a couple of moments from the last few days:
Time Gets Older
Just before the end of last year, Bob & Michael were talking about 2010 ending and 2011 beginning. Michael became somewhat sad and said that we should send an email to 2010 to say goodbye.
Then on New Year’s Day, Michael came in our room as soon as he woke up. He was close to tears as he told me that he wasn’t sure he could make a new friend because he is very shy.
I quickly realized he was talking about the new year, and we went downstairs to talk (and to let Daddy sleep in a bit). I wasn’t sure exactly what to say until I thought about how much Michael enjoys looking forward to his birthday.
So I asked him if he could think about it like time just had a birthday and got a year older. How does he feel when he has a birthday and is another year older? Luckily, he loved that idea and, just like that, the sadness was gone. 
Hugging the School
This morning as Michael was getting ready to return to school from his winter break, he said that he was going to hug everyone in his class.
I was relieved that he was happy about going back to school, but concerned because going up and hugging people often and usually without asking first has definitely been an issue (partly sensory and partly social comprehension). So I suggested that he needs to ask first.
Later on, he said that he was planning to hug everyone in the whole school, and I asked how he thought everyone would feel about that. He realized that it wouldn’t really be feasible and that not everyone would appreciate it, so he decided he would just hug the school when he got there.
Sure enough, when I walked him to the door, he went over and hugged the corner of the building before walking in. The principal was a bit bemused by this until I explained the alternative scenario, and then he was happy to see that Michael had found an acceptable way to express his feelings about returning to school.
Although I wish that things weren’t always so difficult for him to understand, I am thankful for his sweet spirit and loving heart. And the same lack of social awareness that causes him pain with regard to joining in with the other kids also gives him the freedom to express himself in ways that others might regard as odd or different.
Another thing I did this morning was to put up a 2011 calendar that I was given at work, and the quote for January reads:
Dare to be who you are, and learn to resign with good grace all that you are not and to believe in your own individuality.
I think those are great words for many of us as we start out a new year.
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!
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Ah, I love it that he hugged the school. Good thinking and problem solving! Sweet kid! And I think I’ll put that quote on my fridge.
What a sweet story. It made me smile. I’m an ABA therapist, and have a brother on the spectrum. I just started a blog to share my stories. I forget how I stumbled upon your blog, but I enjoy your writings and look forward to reading more
An absolutely fantastic autism blog post! I love the idea of emailing 2010 a goodbye letter. I posted it on my Facebook page, and Tweeted it. I think your page is very esthetically attractive, especially the title banner artwork.
What sweet little stories about him.
Oh and I loved the quote! I needed to read that!
(Thanks for sharing the stories about Michael. They were so endearing and it’s nice to read stuff like that…it makes the other kids we sometimes read about so much more “real”). If that makes sense. I mean it in the best way!
Oh, thanks! I need to do that more – I think of stuff and then just don’t get around to writing it down, unfortunately!!