Chapter 1: A Morning of Success

It seems my strategy might have worked. Owen woke up after six and joined me, sharing all the activities he wanted to tackle this week. He mentioned wanting to use the diving board, detailing the steps he needed to take beforehand. For about five minutes, he engaged with me before bringing up his grandma or his tablet. This morning felt like a significant win. He then expressed his excitement about visiting his grandma soon.

I cherish the mornings when he is calm and attentive. I informed him that we were heading to see his grandma, and that truly brightened his day. After what felt like our third breakfast, we finally got ourselves ready, without any rush. Although he wasn't quite sure about his new "blue pants," he decided he wanted to wear them anyway. It’s amazing how quickly he’s outgrowing his clothes; very few items fit him now.

Owen had a delightful time with his grandma, and we have plans to visit her a few more times during spring break. I usually arrive a bit early to pick him up, allowing him some time to adjust to leaving. I counted down the minutes, but he still struggled with the steps necessary to depart. He expressed a desire to go to the pool the next day. I reminded him that if he didn’t follow my instructions, he wouldn’t be able to go. He responded, “Behave and sleep tonight.” He really wants to go to that pool.

During therapy today, I was surprised to see his "best friend" there, which completely thrilled Owen. He spotted his dad in the waiting area and could hardly contain himself. After walking around, he sat next to me, continuing to chatter about his friend. When his buddy emerged from the session, Owen was so excited that he could barely manage to look at him, a huge grin plastered across his face. They were allowed a brief moment to chat, but Owen’s excitement made it tough for him to say much. After his friend left, Owen walked back with the music therapist, still buzzing about the encounter.

His music therapy session went well, and he’s really enjoying it. Afterward, he wanted to check the park to see if his friend was there. Even though I told him it was unlikely, he still insisted on stopping by. He mentioned wanting his friend to visit our home, which is a big deal since he typically doesn’t invite anyone over.

At the park, he pointed out the sky and different clouds, then asked about a zeppelin and Megamort from Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. I love how he’s connecting different things; it truly feels like remarkable progress.

When we returned home, he had a snack before heading to vision therapy. He asked me to see if his friend’s parents could bring him along to the appointment. I explained that while I’d love to arrange that, it’s ultimately up to his parents. He finds it challenging to grasp that I can’t make those plans happen. I hope we can coordinate something like that in the future. His vision therapy went excellently, and I noticed substantial progress; he was calm during the session, which helped him concentrate.

The evening flew by, with Owen again talking about his friend and all the activities planned for the week. He understands that he needs to sleep well tonight and behave if he wants to go to the pool. More progress is evident. He’s looking forward to his sensory therapy tomorrow afternoon. If everything goes as planned, we’ll have another full day ahead.

At bedtime, I asked him to place his tablet on the table for charging. He said, "table," and I realized he was reminding me that his school tablet shouldn't be put on the dinner table because of the risk of spills. His memory never ceases to amaze me. I’m grateful for a positive start to our day and a peaceful conclusion. Let’s focus on the good, and everything else will follow. Smiles to all, and here’s to donut daze!

This video captures the essence of our daily routines and the special moments that bring joy to our autism journey.

Chapter 2: Embracing Connections

This video showcases the importance of friendships in Owen's life, highlighting the joy these connections bring.