Autism Lives Here: “Touché Mom”

Autism Lives Here: A Sunday ritual.

Pictures that give a glimpse into our life with autism.  Pictures that may show how distinctly different our lives are from yours because of autism.  Or pictures that may show how similar our lives are regardless of autism.

Today’s picture:

grocerycart

 

There’s probably not too many ten-year-olds that still ride in the cart like this…

A year ago Brian wasn’t actually riding in carts like this either.  But then a new store opened nearby, and with it came even bigger carts.  And he decided they looked big enough for him to enjoy a ride in.  I didn’t argue.  It’s easier to keep track of him this way and if he’s happy, I’m happy.  So this is our new normal.

However, this Autism Lives Here moment isn’t just about never growing out of riding inside a grocery cart.

On this particular trip Brian was having difficulty with the bright fluorescent store lights.  He’s never articulated this to me before but he was in the cart, flapping his hands, covering his eyes, making his loud noises and yelling “Bright!”.  It was exciting to me that he was able to tell me what was setting him off.  The first step with sensory processing difficulties is being able to recognize them so then you can adjust the environment for the person.

However, it mortified his older brother.  Under his breath Corbin whispered, “Stop doing that Brian!”.

I quickly responded, “Don’t tell your brother not to do that.  That’s his way of communicating with us.  It’s okay.”

Corbin retorted with that tween attitude he has recently acquired, “Would you like it if I was being that loud and flapping my hands?”

To which I quickly asked, “Would you like it if you had autism?”

Corbin smiled and said, Touché Mom.  Touché“.

And that was that.  We finished up our trip with Brian continually making his noises and big brother completely fine with that.

Sometimes we all just need a little reminder to take a walk in another’s shoes before passing judgment.

 

 

Heather Nelson

About Heather Nelson

Heather resides in Rockland where she is busy juggling life as a newlywed, a mom to two boys (one of which who has autism), a part time job in direct sales, and a full-time job as a pediatric occupational therapy assistant. She has a love for live music, karaoke, and cheering on the underdogs.