LeighMo's bit of heaven (or hell)

'Those' being the term I'm using to describe the sort of day where my son numero dos decides to practice 'typical' autism behaviors. The quotes are there because he does not typically do things like blink morse code, wave his fingers before his eyes, jump off the counter, or have accidents of the bathroom nature much anymore.

But every now and then, just for the sake of maintaining his status as a disabled child, he likes to make sure those and other skills are honed, just in case someone should come a-calling to verify that he is, indeed, Autistic, and not just exceptionally quiet.

It is funny watching him hand flap, rock in time to a rhythm only he can hear, and finger paint with peanut butter on these occasions; he never does these things anymore. I haven't heard him utter a word all day. He's reverted for the moment back to the guttural clucking and clicking of his pre-diagnosis days. He won't quit poking the dog's eyes; he runs shrieking (and not in delight) when we attempt to hug him today.

These are the days that make me truly appreciate exactly how far he has come in the last few years. Every day could be this sort of day, and I know children for whom all of the things I've listed are par for the course. I am one of the lucky ones. He knows his name now, as well as his mom and dad's first and last names. He can brush his own teeth, sort of wash his own hair, and more days than not wears the same pair of underoos all day long. There are parents who have given up the hope of ever reaching those milestones, and others who allow their frustration to cloud the judgment when their children do accomplish things and make progress.

Tonight I am expecting a 'tuck him in' marathon, followed by a waking for the day at 2 a.m. His sleep habits get disturbed when the old behaviors rear their heads. It will pass within a day or so; it always does. Soon he will be back to his 'old' self, saying our names, singing songs, changing passwords on my computer and drawing masterpieces on the flat paint, stuccoed walls. No matter how he behaves, though, he is loved and accepted. I like to think he knows that.