If you’ve followed this blog for a while you know about our challenges with playgrounds. They fall under the category of things that are supposed to be fun for kids, but aren’t fun for Riley.
Once in a while though, for some reason, when the planets (or neurotransmitters) align just right, she is able to master motor tasks she usually isn’t capable of.
Yesterday she was adamant we go to Preston’s Playground, a beautiful park a few neighborhoods over. It wasn’t, “Will you take me to the playground?” It was “You will take me to the playground.”
The kids had been so patient and sweet at the singing bowls event, I obliged.
As they walked into the park my typically reticent Riley basically strutted.
She ran and ran, keeping up with her brother.
She hung upside down, unheard of!
She went down this bumpy slide several times. She could never bring herself to do it before.
I braced myself when she sat at the top of this one. Her depth perception issues make slides particularly challenging. Especially steep ones.
She said, “I’m scared. This is so steep!”
I thought she’d get mad because Seth was doing it easily. I thought she might give up and run away. I braced myself for tears and screaming but had my camera ready just in case. Then, she did it!
Next came the biggest challenge, climbing.
Usually by the time she gets to the second rung, she is screaming, calling herself a “baby,” or a “loser,” begging for help to get down. Often she’ll insult the other children who are climbing around her, calling them “show-offs.”
I cringed as she approached this climbing thing-a-ma-bob.
But no worries.
She scaled it like it was nothing. Like she does it all the time. Like two weeks ago she wasn’t wailing, “GET ME DOWN! HELP!”
These sudden bursts of ability have happened before. This is one of the challenges for kids on the autism spectrum and the people who work with them. Just because they are capable of doing something one day, does not mean they can do it the next. Those who are less flexible themselves have a really hard time with it. They think the kids are being willfull. I’ve been guilty of it myself, but I’m starting to understand more and more.
It doesn’t matter what she did in the past.
It doesn’t matter what might happen tomorrow.
She had a really great day, and therefore Seth had a really great day too. I will turn it over and over in my mind, milking every drop of joy I can from it.
It is enough.
Oh, you’re so right about enjoying the day for what it is. I struggle with that. Jack has such motor problems, too, and playgrounds are so difficult for him. I can really appreciate your joy at Riley being able to do this. Love it.
It’s so wonderful when they have fun–the playground used to be such a source of stress–I kind of dreaded going. To many kids would set the Roc off and meltdowns at a place that is supposed to be fun, are no fun at all.
So glad that she had fun. What a self esteem booster. And you both know what she CAN do!
Made my day!!
Hey Michelle,
What a wonderful day you all had! The energy and joy jumps out of those pics.
Have you ever heard of this playground?
http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/clemyjontri/playground.htm
Riley must have been so proud of herself. How wonderful that you all had a great day at the park.
You gotta be proud of yourself on the good days and very gentle with yourself on the bad. I’m not sure which is harder, to be honest.
ENOUGH is my new favorite word.
You’re so right, it doesn’t matter what she did in the past or what she will do tomorrow.
You are my human.
That is wonderful. I also think maturity has a place in this and every day she is becoming more mature.
The joy does jump out of these pictures!! I bet Riley loves looking at them. I’m so glad that you guys had such a fun time!
Love the pictures! xoxo
beautiful.
love.
What a beautiful picture of the two of them! I love that one.
This is so interesting how it just clicked for her, and she seemed to know it would going in! I wonder how she knew? Did an angel show up and tell her in her sleep, “hey, go to the park! It will be great.” ??
🙂
looks like far, far more than ‘enough’ to me.
She did it once, she’ll do it again, and better most likely.
Scrumpy started off a year ago absolutely NOT going near the big pool, it was the toddler pool or no swimming. Now, she dives and swims like a fish and is determined to master the start backwards dive off the side thing that daddy did the once. It wasn’t gradual. It was one day toddler pool, next day big pool and other pool? what other pool? Who knows what goes on in their heads?!
What a wonderful day. Go Riley!
what an inspirational post. and a way that ALL OF US should live our lives. today should be enough.
A day all 3 of you deserved!! Just wonderful!
Fantastic! Go Riley!