The Most Perfect Spot

(Photo taken by Harper)

I have to take time to write down this week. Z's teacher said that Wednesday at school was "the perfect day!" And those words have helped me see how so many things this week have been perfect.

On Monday at school, Z got amped up during the playground time and pushed a friend. Mrs D told him he couldn't do that or he wouldn't be able to play on the playground. Z apologized to his friend and then, on his own, ran to the tree and pushed it hard. Then he ran to the fence and pushed it. Back and forth, eight times, pushing that energy into "friends" that are okay to push. Then he was able to join back into the playing with more calm. Wow! I was so proud of him for finding a way to get the pressure and force he needed in a way that was acceptable and didn't hurt others. I was so happy to praise him for his great idea.

On Tuesday we went to Occupational Therapy as usual, but this week we didn't take Harper with us. The therapist thought we should try that again because Z has been very distractible these last few weeks and unable to focus on the "missions" she had for him. The difference was pretty significant. Z was calmer throughout the entire time and during the going in and leaving. I asked him as we were leaving if he had a good time even though Harper wasn't there. He said yes. I said it seemed like it was more calm and peaceful. Did he feel that too? And he said yes. Again, I'm so proud of him for sensing how he feels and things that make him overwhelmed versus more calm experiences.

On Wednesday Z had his "perfect day." He was happy and involved the entire day. They went to the music room (which they haven't done all summer and is usually a place of discomfort for him) and he participated in all of the movement games! This has never happened before. He usually gets agitated by the noise and movement and either lies down as far away from the other kids as he can or he'll sit in the hallway just outside the door (Mrs D's suggestion). Mrs. D said that he got a little wiggly at one point during a game but that she told him that the game required standing still at that moment. She gave him the option to go to the hallway if he felt overwhelmed but he chose to stay! And he was able to stay still and remain calm.

Then, during playground time he played with the other kids in sync with their games, playing WITH them, for the entire 20 minutes! This also hasn't happened before. Z will often need time to himself outdoors and he'll go find a quieter place to play by himself for a bit before rejoining other kids. And, finally, during playtime with water, a bin of water tipped over and drenched Z. He got a little upset and said to take his shirt off quick, quick! Mrs. D thought it was going to be a moment for him to lose it, but instead, once the shirt was off, he was fine! No one likes getting their shirt drenched, especially a child with tactile sensitivity! But he handled it! I'm so proud of him!

Praise God! I am so thankful for these signs of Z improving and maturing. And the best part is that he just seems happy! He seems more comfortable and not as anxious. When other kids are around he seems curious and friendly rather than on guard and withdrawn. Even today at a park with a bunch of kids, Auntie M commented on how happy he seemed. And he played pretty much the whole time WITH other kids instead of by himself.

So I'm writing down these reasons to be thankful. And I hope I've learned how children don't develop in a straight line and we could cycle around to another bad day/week, but I feel like I know what is possible for us. And I feel so much more hopeful that we are doing the right things to help Z.

I'm in the most perfect spot.*

*Also a very cute book by Diane Goode.