Today was SJ and Bob's Family Picnic at their elementary school. Parents, grandparents and other relatives are invited to come to school and share lunchtime with their student. This is a very popular activity, so I knew parking would be scarce. I showed up 30 minutes before SJ's lunch was scheduled and got lucky. Prime parking right in front.
I paid my $4 and waited for SJ's class to report to the cafeteria. SJ and I went through the line (he was packing today). I got some fried chicken, rigatoni, baked beans and a cookie. (They also had potato salad, bread and butter, watermelon and cantaloupe.) I found our friends outside and we joined them at their blanket. The school puts out tables, but you are welcome to picnic lunch in the grass.
After a few minutes, SJ had eaten his banana, fruit snacks, nacho chips and two peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. I was still eating, but he ran off to play with his friends. Every once in a while, I would see him walking around by himself. Should I get up and talk to him or should I let him try to find a friend? I decided to watch and wait.
After 10 minutes, he was running in the grass with his classmates. Whew! What a relief. I worry sometimes that he is not always naturally inclined to approach kids to play. This is a worry that many parents of kids on the spectrum feel.
I started to talk to my friends and before I knew it time was up. I heard the lunch monitor call for SJ's class. I walked over to say goodbye to him and his aide was kind enough to take our picture. Just as she was done, I heard one of his classmates yell, "Hey SJ, time to go in." SJ said, "See you, Mom." I told him to have a good day and he was off. He was running like all of the other kids in Mr. Gold's class to the entrance.
These are the moments I love. The ones were the PDD is invisible and all I see is typical. What a great day!
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