I’m in complete shock today!
J got up this morning with the usual “I don’t want to go to playschool today” and refusing to get out of bed…………… but after abit of negotiating only took 5 minutes to actually get him up! We had breakfast together but because of his refusal to sit at the table to eat I decided we’d have breakfast together in the living room. He had a cereal bar, I had a coffee. As we had breakfast we discussed what we were going to do today and during the conversation I made it clear to him that he was going to playgroup and that he could wear his new clothes so that he wouldn’t have to put sunscreen on. Then because we’d finished breakfast nice and early, (it had only taken around 15 minutes instead of the usual 1 1/2 hrs!) I told him that if we got dressed and got everything ready to go we could then play for a little while and watch one of his favourite programs before we left, but made it clear to him that we would have to leave after his program ………. He raced into his bedroom to get dressed! He kept checking with me that he wouldn’t have to put sunscreen on and kept asking what time I would pick him up etc but no tears, tantrums or meltdowns!!
We played for a little while with his puffer balls and shapes, then when his program started I reminded him in a casual way that we would be leaving after his program had finished. When it did end I was prepared for tears etc when I turned off the television, instead he asked me fetch his special doggy and blankie for him so that he could have them in the car. When I returned with them he was sat on the floor waiting for me to put his socks and shoes on!
Shoes on, bags ready off we went………. when we got outside he was concerned that it was sunny and that he would have to put sunscreen on but before he had a chance to “react” I quickly reminded him that he had his special long sleeved sun clothes on so wouldn’t need sunscreen on but that he must remember to wear his hat. During the car journey he again asked what time I would pick him up, I told him maybe just after afternoon tea that way he should have time to play outside for abit……….. something which he has wanted to do for the last few days! He was still a little cautious when we got out the car and gave blankie and special doggy an extra big kiss, he then got out the car and happily walked into playgroup. I signed him in and then we went down to his room, put his lunchbox and drink into the fridge, (ok I had to open the fridge because he didn’t want to get dirty hands (LOL) but I’ll let him off that one) and then went out into the garden to play! I got kisses and cuddles and then left, as I walked around the corner I saw him happily climbing onto a piece of play equipment.
I read somewhere that because of an ASD child’s need for routine it can be helpful to have a routine for simple things like getting up in the morning, a before school routine if you like, so I thought I’d give it a go. We started the breakfast routine yesterday but because we didn’t go out anywhere yesterday didn’t use the routine fully. He asks alot of questions and I think this comes from his need to know what is happening and what is going to happen. I know it’s very early days but with the success of this morning I’m thinking it may be an idea to keep to this routine every morning, carefully explaining everything that we are doing and are going to do as we go along. Of course it may not be the routine that encouraged this change, it may be his new clothes and the fact that he didn’t have to wear sunscreen or he might simply just be having a good day today, only time will tell I suppose.
I’m amazed that we’ve had such a good morning, well done to my baby boy! xxxxx :)
