Just when I start thinking autism isn't affecting our lives...
Aiden continues to overcome so much day by day. Honestly, now that Aiden is talking, sometimes I forget that autism is even part of our lives. Then, Aiden has an "off" day, and I'm firmly reminded that Aiden will always see the world differently than I do. I'm slowly learning that even though he can TALK, COMMUNICATION is a whole different challenge.
Aiden is sick right now. At the doctor's office he was unable to tell her what hurt. He just agreed with everything the doctor said. Even pictures didn't work. Aiden didn't understand what the doctor was asking. Yet, his ears and throat are red, and his chest is so congested he sounds like a barking seal. If it weren't for the persistent cough, I would have never even taken him in. He doesn't seem to mind at all that his body is not well.
Then there was the glove incident. Now that the weather is colder, Aiden always wears a hat and a specific set of gloves. Well, we lost one of the set while we were out and about, and Aiden would NOT get out of the van. He was so upset. We couldn't find it anywhere, and the place we were at was closed. After an hour, Abe finally dragged him out of the car kicking and screaming, "NO daddy. NO!" It took 20 minutes or so of deep pressure to get him to come back to us. The next day he talked about it over and over. Lucky for us we found the missing glove. Aiden was so, so happy. Something so simple, and he couldn't let it go.
I'm reminded of a phrase from an OT, "to some degree, we all have some autism within us." I've pondered this recently as we've taken on the challenge of remodeling our basement. My schedule/routine/time is completely thrown off lately, and I feel unhappy, stressed, overwhelmed, and unorganized. The difference is, it doesn't disrupt my daily life to the point where I can't function. I recognize that this is a stressful time in my life, but that it is also a brief moment that will pass and get better. I hope for Aiden's sake that someday he can recognize that too. The art of "letting go" is a great challenge for many people, myself included.
