Impromptu moments

Being a mother of a teenager with Asperger’s Syndrome, I find myself coaxing a lot. Reminders and prompts are in my arsenal. I try not to nag, since I really don’t want him to shut down and not pay attention to the lessons I’m bestowing. There are new studies that the brain doesn't fully mature until someone is in their 20's.  Unfortunately, for me, day to day living can make this fact a vague whisper.

Then there are moments that happen so unexpected that they are remarkable.

 I finally watched My Left Foot   (thank goodness for Netflix!) The actors Daniel Day Lewis and Hugh O’Connor were absolutely tremendous as they portrayed Christy Brown, the real life writer and artist with cerebral palsy.   As the movie progressed to the part where young Christy took a piece of chalk between his toes to write on the floor, I started to cringe. I have a strong aversion to squeaking chalk (though I believe everyone has a dislike to this horrible sound!) I muted the volume in the event that this nerve-racking squeak may happen.

My son happened to come into the living room at this time. He asked why I had the volume muted and I told him. He advised I would miss part of the movie’s dialogue and the chalk probably wouldn't squeal. I argued that I felt more comfortable with no sound.  My imagination was already playing the awful sound in my head. Why wasn't he listening to my unreasonable reason?

Then my son did something wonderful—he said he would cover my ears, listen to this part of the movie and give the green light if it was just strictly dialogue. I agreed and he rewound a few frames. True to his word, he put his hands over my ears and watched the scene. I blissfully didn't hear anything. He then removed his hands and announced that the caulk does not squeak, and he again rewound so I could hear the missed dialogue.

My heart swelled with pride. Here he was showing great traits all on his own—patience, empathy and resolve.  In that moment, I felt confident that he was indeed on the right track. I just have to remember this the next time he emerges out of the bathroom without combing his hair!