Dropping in for some Thomas tea

Anyone who knows anything about autism knows that fixations and obsessions are part and parcel of the lifestyle.  Both boys have had a slew of obsessions over the years.  Now I don't mean they are "into" a superhero for a few weeks/months, I mean Jake has had a long winded love affair with all things Star Wars for a good four years now and John still has a fondness for power rangers (well, lining them up in complicated floor art more likely; don't snigger I have pictures).  

So, they have their big obsessions but there is still room for mini fixations.  Think of it like the best friend that is always over to play, but the mini interests are distant cousins that only pop over for tea from time to time but when they are there the boys are equally enthused with them.  Jake's first "interest" was as with 90% of ASD's Thomas the Tank Engine.  I do not know what spell that flippin' train can cast over spectrum kids, but he's like crack to them.  Once they get the first hit....forget it.

Jake was a Thomas nut until Star Wars entered his life Christmas day 2004 in the form of the original trilogy (which actually was a gift to me, but try telling that to Jake at the time).  Thomas slowly dissolved and had to concede to Luke and Han.  So, please tell me now why four years later Jake is once again wandering around the house with a bag of his old Thomas trains and is watching the movie repeatedly???  Why the sudden peaked interest?  Where the hell have Luke and Jabba the Hut fucked off to, and why oh why did I keep those trains in that box for the last four years.  

Oh yes, because I KNEW this day was coming when his old friend would pop over for tea, just took him four years to get here; well best put the kettle on, might be a short stay...maybe?!!.

Bring on the clowns

Hubby and I realised the last time we were ever able to go anywhere as a family it was probably McDonalds as with a child who is gluten free (as a second heading that way...'nother post though), there are precious few outings we can safely find.  We've hiked ourselves to death all over suburban Atlanta and there are only so many other activities you can all share with an 8, 5 and 2 year old.  So, when the chance of dirt cheap tickets to the circus popped up I dove at the chance (actually it was more a mudslide that knocked the little old lady out of the line...ok, not really, but you'd have thought I was running with the winning lottery ticket.)  Now this was not just any ticket, this was 4 seats ringside, as in row A seats 1,2,3,4.

Then hindsight being 20/20 I had to make a decision whether this was such a hot idea after all.  The last time we went to a large, noisy, strobe lighted event it was 2003 and we only had Jake.  It was Disney's Monsters Inc on Ice.  I dropped over $100 on those tickets and Jake (pre autism diagnoses) lasted all of 10 minutes; he was a screaming, hysterical mess and hubby my Mother and I had to concede it's not worth the hundred bucks.  Still, I remember having a faint bad taste in my mouth at the time and dare I say it ...yes...a bit of resentment towards Jake's "behavior."  Little did I know at the time he was in an absolute sensory overloaded meltdown.  Actually, the fact he made it all of 10 minutes is a testament to his profound strength really.

So fast forward to last week, there I was holding these fantastic tickets and I had a flashback to 5 years ago.  Oh God, what if he loses it again, or worse, his brother with Aspergers might lose it this time?  After all, John doesn't even like the noise of the vacuum cleaner, how the hell will he manage the band at his feet?  I was beginning to talk myself out of the trip and considered donating the tickets or flogging them in the local rag.  

It was hubby that reminded me how far Jake had come, and how surprising John could be in potentially sensory situations.  He was right of course, but my instincts were cemented in a screaming meltdown from 5 years ago.

The day arrived, and to my absolute surprise (and after lots and lots of prepping the boys) we were there, 2 feet from the ring, so close when the western riders galloped around the edge of the ring, the sawdust was spat at us with ferocity and the earthy smell of their flanks was like a rushing wind .   IT WAS AWESOME!!!!!

The boys were enraptured, thrilled and might I add particularly appreciated the farting noises by the clowns, (hey gotta have a toot skit):D  To the outsider, you would never have known they were spectrum.... except perhaps that they weren't always sure when applause was necessary or warranted.  'sok though, the clowns waved at them more than once and with a little nudge from hubby and I, the boys could wave back.  Oh yes, bring on the clowns!

Wreaked

"Wreaked!"  It's a great word.  It has s many connotations, especially for an Irish 30 something.

Wreaked: as in I wreaked the house.

Wreaked : as in "I drank so much I was fuckin' wreaked" (a personal fave when in my early '20's)

However, it's a different wreaked I need to discuss; the one where when you declare you are wreaked from pure unadulterated mental and emotional exhaustion.  I am having one of those days I fear....a "wreaked" day.

The funny thing about wreaked days is there often is no rhyme or reason why you are done in on that particular day as opposed to any other.  The routine isn't any different, the drop offs, pick ups, daily grind kind of stuff is all same old same ole.  Yet, if you really delve into the day and it's inner workings and lift the veil of routine you will always find a deeply hidden trigger for wreakedness.  With my lot it's always something to do with the 24/7 nature of parenting two spectrum kids (plus a rather hyper typical  toddler).

Today's wreakedness came upon me with sly and cunning stealth.  Instead of being done in by bedtime, I was officially done in by 6pm.  And I fear it has mainly to do with Jake's mood and general pissyness.  Now, if you understand anything about high functioning autistic individuals it's how the slightest thing can swing them from one mood to another in a nanosecond, yet the tantrum that ensues can easily go on for an hour.

Today Jake deboarded the bus and his mood was apparent before seat belts were buckled.  He is/was just flat out ornery, moody, narcissistic and the slightest mention of No invited an all out meltdown.  Here's the deal, when this was Jake 2 years ago pre gluten free diet, pre current IEP and pre current behavioral goals, it was just part of the daily living in our house.  So, after 6 months of pretty good stability to have one of those early days thrust back at me.....well, let's just say my capacity for wreakedness has diminished somewhat.    Put it this way; remember when you would be able to guzzle a 6 pack and be relatively sober ....well, this is like drinking one beer and being flat out hammered....you could even say I'm wreaked!