I took Alex with me to Wal-Mart today.We hadn't been out, just the two of us, in a very long time.
I was a little concerned how he would do. Wal-mart and
similar places are a multi-faceted
attack on the sensory issues of a child with autism.
Things we might vaguely notice
are highly accentuated to them...the smell from the deli,
the changes in temperature when you get in the frozen
food section, the humming of the florescent lights,
the vastness of the building, someone talking on
the intercom system, the crowds, etc.
As you can see, he wore his sound reduction headset!He pushed the cart, and he even added $20 worth
of stuff to the bill (well worth it in my opinion!)
He was very interested in finding foods that he liked.
He was quiet and happy and obedient the whole
time. I was afraid that we wouldn't make it past all
the bottles of ketchup without letting him turn them
all upside down! But he walked right past them.
He even obeyed when I told him he couldn't have
a few items he tried to put in the cart.
No meltdowns...not even a peep!
He did start humming (not a tune...but his typical
monotone sound when he is anxious about something)
when the cashier bagged up our groceries.
I think he was worried he
would have to share some of his goodies!
But the man assured him that everything would
go back into the cart.
I may have enjoyed him.... more than he
enjoyed the trip!
Such a wonderful post, Besty! Isn't it a gift and a delight to enjoy our children. God is so good. And, I'll venture to guess that Alex enjoyed his time out alone with you very much!
ReplyDeleteMG ~ yes, God is good! We have had more than our share of terrible outings. Tantrums are one thing for a two year old, but a 165 lb 14 year old laying on the floor of a store is not fun. One time we had three of them do it! LOL (I can laugh now!) They really have come a long way! I prayed while we drove there and then said prayers of thanksgiving all the way home! :) I felt brave in doing it and I felt like my efforts were rewarded! Yea!
ReplyDeleteMG ~ And I thought of you as I stuck my camera in my purse before we left! :)
ReplyDeleteBetsy, what a sweet post! I'm so glad you had a wonderful outing. I think it's great that he enjoyed it and even picked out some items he would like. You are a sweetheart and I am praying for you. I love your pics and it helps me feel right there with you. People that are not in bloggyland just don't get it. You are a sweet friend I have never met but hope to someday! Thank the Lord for He's the one that gives us everything. You are a blessing!
ReplyDeleteNanatrish ~ thanks so much for those kind words. I appreciate your prayers, too! Yes, it would be fun to meet all of our bloggy friends some time, wouldn't it? Maybe some day... until then we can just enjoy each other in cyberspace!
ReplyDeleteThat is so great! Don't you love it when things turn out better than you think they will. That's really nice you got some alone time with him. Too funny about the ketchup. I had to laugh when you talked about all 3 of them tantruming on the floor. I could just imagine it. Why is it they always lay on the floor. It's so hard to get kids up when they do that. I used to be able to tell Parker that a bug was coming or a snake, and he'd jump up. Now he is on to my tricks and I just have to tell him that I'm going to wait for him to get up.
ReplyDeleteWonderful post, Betsy...A successful and peaceful mission for all!....And isn't it interesting how blogging has motivated all of us to take out cameras with us everywhere? LOL!!
ReplyDeleteBobbi ~ yes, we made it past the ketchup bottles! When Alex was just a toddler, her was fascinated with the color blue. He had to have blue tops on his bottles, the blue toys, etc. We went down the shampoo isle and he wanted ALL of the blue bottles of shampoo in our cart (there were hundreds!) It wasn't funny at the time. :)
ReplyDeleteRebecca ~ yes, I've never taken my camera to the grocery before! LOL
ReplyDeleteBetsy, I'm pleased it all turned out far better than you had hoped. It sounds like Alex really liked it, and were you surprised by any of his grocery purchases?
ReplyDeleteAww! Good for Alex Buddy! And for you, too, of course. :) Mission well accomplished. It looks like he is really enjoying pushing the cart. I bet the headset really helped.
ReplyDeleteLavinia ~ no, he didn't surprise me. He's a junk-food kinda kid...so it was just his favorite munchies. :)
ReplyDeleteWillow ~ yes, I think the headset was the key! He did enjoy pushing the cart. I had to make sure he didn't run over anyone! And when he got to our car, he just let go and got in...leaving the cart to keep rolling along. ..had to put the camera away at that point and run! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for your visit to my blog. I have lots of Beth Moore studies and if you would like me to send some to you I would be delighted. They have helped me and I would love to share with you. Just email me at trishw824@gmail.com. I've listened to some of them so much I feel like I know what she is saying next. She is gifted and studies so much. Love ya, Trish
ReplyDeleteoh betsy...that's just awesome...our kids have to work so hard, and it's always so amazing to see their hard work pay off...
ReplyDeleteGod is faithful! i love those trips that end in thankful praise...i have to say...i laughed out loud when you mentioned all three laying on the floor...i think God gives us ultimate humility which leads to incredible appreciation!!
oh those glorious moments...btw...a friend brought me a double shot espresso yesterday...what's a girl to do?? i couldn't hurt her feelings!! ;)
Nanatrish ~ you are sweet to offer me your Beth Moore's...you know, our church library has them all there for me to checkout...I just need to do it. You're a sweetie to offer, though!
ReplyDeleteGranola ~ yes, imagining all three of our boys staging a lay-down protest in the store would make anyone laugh out loud....even me, now that it is a distant memory. :) I am not exaggerating when I say that the entire Sams Club stopped and watched...we were in line to check-out. Fortunately, my husband was with me and could help. I remember at the time, crying on the way home. I should write a book....Autistic Triplets ~ A Lesson in Humility. LOL.
ReplyDeleteA douple espresso? Yes, you must drink it. Caffeine is your friend! :)
Betsy, there is an award waiting for you over at my place...come on over and pick it up! ;)
ReplyDeleteGotta love that Alex! Hope he got some YUMMY treats!!
ReplyDeleteBetsy, this was such a joy to read! Good for both you and Alex on this accomplishment.
ReplyDeleteMy nephew has too many tantrums about food to be allowed to grocery shop, but he loves to go on other outings such as the zoo or outdoor parks where he can run. He was in the Special Olympics many times. Running seems to have a calming effect on him.
It's always good to find an enjoyable activity.
Pat ~ wow, that is great that you nephew enjoys running. Mine here are little (big?) couch potatoes!
ReplyDeleteJill ~ oh yes, don't worry about that...Alex was great at finding yummy things to put in the cart! :)
ReplyDeleteOh I loved this post Betsy...there you go again letting us all see the inside of that great ole big heart of yours...How fun for you and Alex..Good Blessings for the week...
ReplyDeleteDeedee ~ thank you very much...you are such an encourager! :)
ReplyDeleteBetsy, I loved being allowed to see this part of your life. I remember that feeling of accomplishment when I would take my four children to the store and we would make it home without losing someone or any meltdowns and mine were normal kids. I can't imagine how you have done it. You get an award from me for bravest mom because you were willing to take Alex with you not knowing how the trip might turn out. Bravo!
ReplyDeleteThat's awesome!! Good for Alex!!
ReplyDeleteSteviewren~ thank you! That would be a great award! :)
ReplyDeleteMiss Nelson ~ Hi and I'm glad you are visiting! :) Yes, hurray for Alex...I was so very proud of him!
just have to add...i can only laugh b/c on a smaller scale i have been there...but i can also feel the sting of the tears on that drive back home...
ReplyDeletei adore you and your family...i think you are going to have one of the cooler crowns of interesting trinkets and jewels waiting for you in Heaven!!
my prayers of many more successful trips for your futures!!
Granola ~ you are so sweet! Yes, I know you can relate. I'm inspired to keep trying. I usually use the grocery trip as my escape during the summer, so it's going to be my sacrifice this summer. Wonder who I should take next...
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful post! So many times we take the little accomplishments that our little ones make for granted, or at least I do. It's so important to stop and think of how far they have come. My Alex has meltdowns occasionally but he cries and pouts. That is a little easier to handle than being layed out on the floor. I just continue to push him in the cart and go about my business while he pouts. Yes, he's 8 and still rides in the back of the cart. :) Pretty soon his legs are going to be too long and he will have to walk. I'm sure we will face some challenges when that day comes. :) Thanks for sharing your trip and Hooray Alex!
ReplyDeleteOh Brandy...I'd still put my boys in the cart even if they were eight! In fact, we did put them in carts until they just couldn't fit anymore. When they did fit, we could all go as a family anywhere they had carts. It was great. It was when they had to walk that we started to have problems!
ReplyDeleteNoah does the humming too!
ReplyDelete