An Autism Recovery

Drums!

Logan has some catch-up to do for his fine motor skills. Originally this was a motivation for maybe piano or guitar lessons or something, but his therapists thought this would only lead to frustration and that drums would be a better fit.

He asked for and Santa brought him a drum kit for Christmas last year anyway, so he seemed to have some interest in that direction at least.

Well, he loves it. He literally skipped from the playground across to the school when it was time for his first lesson. It's *very* unusual for Logan to be that excited about *anything* the first time, let me tell you.

Upon picking him up from his lesson, his teacher told me they played some simple games including a repeating game where Logan repeated the teacher 16 strokes deep! He seemed very pleased and impressed, and I *know* I was.

Both his parents had musical skills, so I guess it's natural that he has some ability. Still I'm a little bit surprised I think because since he's come along, neither one of us has played anything at all. Other than occasionally tuning up his First Act guitar and messing about with it for ten minutes, we haven't played anything in forever. And I'm *certain* that no musical ability could've been transferred through that experience.

Transference would imply that I had something to transfer, which was audibly not the case, I assure you. :-)

First Grade

Logan loves first grade. Gone are the clingy mornings of Kindergarten; in their place are confident marches into school.

We were worried the faster pace would overwhelm him, and sometimes it does as evidenced by unfinished work. But the volume of unfinished work is decreasing at a good pace and I think the faster pace actually helps keep him engaged.

Maybe it's like reading. For me, if I read too slowly, that gives my mind too much opportunity to wander and before long I'm not even thinking about what I'm reading anymore. But if I read fast enough, my mind doesn't have the opportunity for distraction and that pleasant state of focused consciousness kicks in.

Anyway, for whatever reasons, he is enjoying it and that's a big worry that now looks a lot less scary.

In fact, last week he told me “First grade is my favorite class.” I said that was good and asked him why, sensing the opportunity for great insight.

“No naps.”

Not the first time I've been guilty of overthinking something. :-) It's okay if it's just that simple sometimes.

 

Pure Bowling

This one has nothing to do with anything other than pure bowling. Logan enjoys leaving difficult splits and trying to pick them up.

I also leave difficult splits and try to pick them up--but my results are not as intentional as his.

Anyway, he recently left and picked up the 1-3-7-10 split! It was picture perfect with his spare ball. We were very excited with many high-fives, as you might imagine.

Bowling Etiquette

Logan is a perfectionist. Knowing all the rules and playing by them is important to him. Making mistakes is hard on him. The prelude to a meltdown is almost always something happening where he wanted to do something and couldn’t, or accidentally did something wrong, or was doing something and didn’t know there was a ‘rule’ against it. Once corrected: frustration.

So I was especially proud of him when on a recent bowling session, I decided it was time he learned the lane-by-lane etiquette of not talking to or otherwise distracting the bowler in the next lane once he is on the approach.

Now when we bowl he always takes the end lane. Partially because it is one of only maybe ten lanes in our favorite house that have bumper capability (which he is needing less and less, by the way). Another partial reason is that it gave him some separation from the other bowlers so he wouldn’t distract them not understanding the whole turn-taking thing.

And then I bowl in the lane next to him. We bowl a lot of games this way: the other day we checked out after a couple of hours having bowled 20+ games. But we enjoy it.

Anyway, back to the finer points of lane etiquette. I decided to make this the day I teach him not to distract other bowlers once on the approach. So as he began to ask me a question while I was starting to swing, I stopped my swing and told him about this new rule. He understood and we went about our business.

A while later I was working off a two-bagger when on my approach he turned around from having thrown his ball and started to ask me something. I looked at him and he immediately gasped, and put his hands over his mouth as he realized what he had almost done.

I threw my ball (brooklyn strike, as I can’t seem to figure out any better way to do it), and thanked him for waiting, and asked him what he was going to say. He told me and we went on.

It wasn’t so long ago that he would’ve had a much harder time taking that minor infraction of even a new rule so gracefully, so much in stride. It could’ve easily led to a little fit and early exit off the lanes for the day.

It was another of those little moments that I can truly appreciate with him.

Improving Reaction Time

Well, this is a funny one. Over the weekend, I worked through several tasks in my 'autism' project. Tasks come and go on this project as I need to research something, post on this blog, make a game out of something to help Logan, or whatever.

Anyway, an old task was 'research improving reaction time' because that is an area that Logan finds challenging. He doesn't particularly like PE at school and a lot of it is because of the fast-moving activity and his relatively slower reaction time.

So I finally got around to doing this research and the first thing on the list was 'play video games'. Which is hilarious because Logan has only recently really gotten into Mario Kart Wii and even more recently has gotten to where he can get around pretty good on the courses without bumping into stuff.

Accidentally on the right track there...serendipity. :-)

Half-Marathon

So Corinne ran the Country Music Half and Logan and I didn't get to the finish line until after she finished. Long story...let's just say that parking is an issue at that race and Logan and I did a lot of walking that day. :-)

Fortunately, Jason with the Autism Society of Middle Tennessee did get a picture of Corinne running and also of some of the volunteers who were at mile six I think.

Thanks, Jason!

 

A Photo Gift

Sherri, a loyal reader, sent this picture along with a short note, saying

"It makes me feel good to give back to people like you who give so much."

Certainly a nice thought, and we love the picture composition.

Alligator Beach

Logan tells about his trip to the zoo and the alligators!

Encouraging Report from our Miss Jennifer

Good morning!
 
Well, we had an awesome day last thursday!  We had Lunch Bunch with Miles and Abbie the new little girl in the class.  He really likes her!  He made me scoot over during Lunch Bunch so he could sit by her, he wanted her to go first in both games we played and walked out to the playground chatting it up with her!  Oh, and one more thing... I called her Abbie and Logan corrected me by saying "She likes to be called Abigail."  During Lunch Bunch he shared interesting things with the group about his trip to the beach.  I made sure the info was different from the info he shared with the entire class!  I must say my favorite has to be "We got a new car at the airport because ours was at the car hotel!"
 
Outside we worked on joining groups...just getting in the door!  A group of boys where looking for caterpillars and naming them, a group of boys and girls played on the monkey bars, a group of boys and girls raced on the tall slides...  Once he was excepted he did well for one exchange.  For example, one race down the slide, one look around for a caterpillar...and then he would hit the road block.  Typically, he didn't know what to say to stay in the group rather or he didn't read the social clues of the children playing the activity.  I would like to contrive the situations on the playground and decrease the demands on him.  Basically, bring the friends to him!  We would play outdoor games I bring and Logan chooses who will play.  This way we can work on the social ques and language without worrying about doing exactly what the group wants to do.  Logan controls what the group is doing but needs to read the social ques and expressively keep them engaged.  What do you think?  I would like to try it again this week. 
 
Also, I am working with another child out your way and thought he would be a great match for Logan socially.  I see him at school; however, this summer I think he would be a great play date! 
 
Jennifer     

Reflection After A Year