Get Away Mom!

S1 might be non-verbal, but his actions sure do speak volumes! He used to have respite once a week. Someone would come and pick him up and they would be gone for three hours. Sometimes they went to a park where S1 could roam free. Other times they went to the mental health center where S1 could make things or play around other children, do water games, etc. Occasionally a trip to the pizza parlor or McDonald's. But, his worker quit the first week in September. For the workers to be one on one with kids they have to have and pass background checks. Unfortunately, it is the middle of October now and none of their new employees have passed their background checks yet. So, S1 goes crazy not being able to get out without mom. Since it is taking so long, they started a Saturday group. Two workers pick up three boys and take them, along with a third worker, to the center to play. Well, last Saturday was the first time they did it. S1 and I were standing outside waiting for them to come. S1 was actually tired of standing so he was sitting playing in the pea gravel in our driveway.

When the car pulled up, you could see the light go on in his mind. Instantly he knew what was happening. As the car came to a stop, he ran straight to it and started opening the door. I helped him get in and as I was doing up his seat belt he leaned forward, gave me a kiss and not only waved bye bye but SAID bye bye. As these two workers were not familiar with S1, I spent a little bit of time, leaning through S1's open door, talking to them, letting them know of his likes/dislikes, allergies, seizures, etc. The whole time I was trying to do this, S1 was pushing me away from the car and trying to close the car door. It was if he was saying, "Okay, mom. Enough already, I get to go play. Just hurry and close the door!" He had a blast while he was gone. They played at the park and got lunch at McDonald's. I don't think he really paid much attention to the two other little boys he was with. Not a big surprise. They were both around his age, one autistic and the other with a different pervasive personality disorder. He was so happy when he got home. I am sure he will be thrilled to go again this week.