Autism Lives Here: Nina & Pinta

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:

ninandpinta

A high point of our first week of summer vacation was visiting the life-size replicas of the Nina and the Pinta which have been hanging out in Camden Harbor this week.  As with almost any outing, I am always analyzing.  I am preparing for the worst.  Is he going to have a meltdown because it’s out of routine?  Because we are going on a boat but not actually going for a ride?  I’m on my toes to make sure he is in my sight at all times.  I’m ready to grab him and pull him back if he tries to cut in line or gets a bit too close for other people’s comfort.  I’m scoping out the area for the nearest bathroom and trying to avoid any ice cream stand or any other goodies that aren’t gluten, dairy, and soy free.

And like almost every outing in the past year, he just amazes us.  He’s curious.  He wants to check out all the parts of the boats.  He is happy.  He imitates his brother and his cousin.  He rolls with the changes and is okay with things out of routine.

Strangers probably just see him flapping.  See him not using any language.  See him tapping a post obsessively after accidentally brushing it.  But we just see progress.  Amazing, beautiful progress.

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.