AWs.

[mightymaude]

Add some.

[mightymaude]

This is actually an AW of someone we met today.

We went to a huge event at the Air and Space museum today. DD adores space. Her personal hero is Mae Jemison and she wants to study the sun.

But despite the fact that we were at the big air and space museum (Udvar-Hazy, for people in the DC area) the crowds were completely overwhelming for her. She was spinning and hand flapping and mute. She wanted to be there and wanted to leave ASAP at the same time.

We met an astrophysicist that was amazing. She explained her telescope and how different types of electromagnetic radiation filters produce different images and got DD to calm down and answer questions, without making her talk. Thumbs up if you see two colors, thumbs down if you see one. One finger if the colors are on the outside, two fingers if they are on the inside. She was amazing, and because of her, we were able to stay and explore for another two hours. She didn't care that DD didn't once look at her. She repeatedly said talking wasn't necessary. It was so awesome.

[waverly]

This is amazing!

Overall DS is doing really well. We’ve solved so many health issues. Fingers crossed the only thing we have left is fine motor skills.

I would also love to get him up on a bike and skates, but those are not health issues just really hard for him.

[mightymaude]

Mar 10, 2019 9:22:18 GMT -5 waverly said:

This is amazing!

Overall DS is doing really well. We’ve solved so many health issues. Fingers crossed the only thing we have left is fine motor skills.

I would also love to get him up on a bike and skates, but those are not health issues just really hard for him.

DD can ride a bike but is extremely scared of doing it. She is entirely capable but requires cajoling to even touch her bike. She has outgrown her 20" at this point but we are reluctant to move her up because this bike has probably been ridden less than 10x in the time she has owned it.

We are a bike riding family, so it is hard to have a kid who essentially doesn't. She has no desire to join in with the kids on the street who basically make a bike gang during the summer. At this point,I figure she probably won't ever ride for real. It's not a safety thing like swimming though, so not going to bother pushing it.

[jreeds]

Mar 9, 2019 16:45:31 GMT -5 mightymaude said:

This is actually an AW of someone we met today.

We went to a huge event at the Air and Space museum today. DD adores space. Her personal hero is Mae Jemison and she wants to study the sun.

But despite the fact that we were at the big air and space museum (Udvar-Hazy, for people in the DC area) the crowds were completely overwhelming for her. She was spinning and hand flapping and mute. She wanted to be there and wanted to leave ASAP at the same time.

We met an astrophysicist that was amazing. She explained her telescope and how different types of electromagnetic radiation filters produce different images and got DD to calm down and answer questions, without making her talk. Thumbs up if you see two colors, thumbs down if you see one. One finger if the colors are on the outside, two fingers if they are on the inside. She was amazing, and because of her, we were able to stay and explore for another two hours. She didn't care that DD didn't once look at her. She repeatedly said talking wasn't necessary. It was so awesome.

This is awesome! I love when we meet people like this <3

[jreeds]

We are making progress. Which, considering how long we've been on this road really feels amazing. DS had a successful return to school after winter break, he is really thriving in both behavioral therapy and equine therapy. Both at home and school he has shown progress in being able to regulate his emotions. There is still a lot of work to do but it finally feels like we're pulling out of survival mode.

[miranda]

DS's interests are maturing. I'm one of those lazy moms, and this winter has been so wretched, so I've been binging shows with him in the evening in the name of "social skills." But I think it's making a difference. We started with Big Bang Theory in 4th grade, but the show was too mature for him to comprehend (he loved it, but the sexual innuendos were all lost on him and left him frustrated that he didn't understand it). So we tried Young Sheldon which he adores, as he always loves a quirky main character who is smarter than others give him credit for. Then we started at the beginning of the Middle. If you're not familiar with the show, there are references made that Brick (the youngest boy) needs "social skills" instruction. DS finds it hilarious. He gets really into the character development and can recall details from seasons before (e.g. "Sue said that because she didn't make the Volleyball squad in season 4.") After we finished that series, we moved on to Modern Family. I was afraid he wouldn't "get" a lot of the humor, but most of it he did, with the exception, again, of the sexual innuendos. But he has loved it. I like that the characters are more diverse, and he is quick to point out if someone is being "prejudiced" or "mean." Then we started Wonder Years, my personal favorite. It's more of a drama, which he doesn't prefer over a comedy, but he seems to like it enough to come down each night for an episode. He's interested in the civil rights aspects of the show. In one episode they talk about whether Kevin made it to "first base" with Winnie. DS said "I know what all the bases are!" He proceeded to explain (for those of you who don't know) First base is starting a relationship. Second base is a serious relationship. Third base is getting married. Home base is having children.


We have gotten him to start watching shows and movies that aren't just slapstick comedy (we ran through every single Adam Sandler movie, even the really terrible ones!) Last weekend we watched Castaway and he *sobbed* when Wilson floated away. I couldn't believe it; I've never seen him express sad emotions other than when he is watching his sports team lose. Last night I let him show me what he's watching on YouTube these days, and he took me down a rabbit hole of Atlas Obscura and other interesting factoid videos like what happens if the Pope dies or why pictures of the Eifel Tower at night are copyrighted.


I read somewhere that parents are happiest when their kids are something like age 7-12 and I'd have to agree. We're in a sweet spot where he can do fun things together without a lot of angst. So glad we planned a major trip this summer to Europe; I think it'll be a blast.