"And I'll just go for it."
I had one of those experiences with Simon last night on our way to the swimming pool reminding me once again that he is just downright awesome.
Drive-through McDonald's is one of our things. We go through a pretty stable routine each time: ordering a Happy Meal for the toy (especially Kung Fu Panda toys - he and Chris saw the movie last weekend) and chicken nuggets; talking about the number one window + the number two window; choosing between OJ, chocolate milk, or the occasional Sierra Mist.
Let me step back a minute and preface this by saying we have been having some major food battles lately. I hate the word battle because that implies a winner and a loser...our goal is to get him to try something new at each meal and take one very small bite as a "no thank you" bite (along with getting some variety into his diet). Trust me, it has been one of the biggest challenges in our experience as parents.
Back to last night and the story at hand. I put in the regular order for a Happy Meal with chicken nuggets. After pulling out and heading down the road I hand the box back to him and he pulls out a cheeseburger. On past adventures this could have resulted in a major upset (or me simply turning around and going back to McDonald's to correct our order). I see the burger in the rearview mirror as I am checking the clock to see how much time we have to make it to the pool before the "sorry we are full" sign goes up. In the span of seconds I am wondering to myself which is going to be worse: not getting the expected chicken nuggets or not getting to swim?
But he didn't freak out.
"Hey, here's a hamburger," he said and started to pass it to me. No whining. No crying. No freaking out.
Somehow I managed to say, "How about trying that cheeseburger tonight?" I braced a bit as I waited for the issue to escalate.
He simply said, "Okay."
It was an "okay" in a super cheerful manner that demonstrated no indication of ever having issues with different foods. At that point I should have just pulled over and did the craziest celebration dance possible that he was even okay with the idea of opening the package let alone take a bite.
I tried super hard not to make a big deal about. "That sounds like a plan," I said as I peeked into the rear-view mirror to see if he was really going to actually for real take a bite. And he did. No big deal. No fanfare. No saying "this is gross." No protesting. Just a little nibble bite along the edge and then he set it back down on the plastic wrapper in his lap.
"Did you like it?" I asked?
"I did."
In my head I was freaking out. Holy cow this could be it. This could be the breakthrough we have been hoping for and working towards related to not making a huge deal out of trying a new food.
"Are you going to eat some more?"
"Yes. I like hamburgers."
We drove along and he munched on his french fries amidst telling me stories about the Higglytown Heroes episode he had been watching on the computer before leaving for the pool.
"Are you going to eat any more hamburger?" I asked as we continued on our way.
"Yes, I'll just go for it."
In reality he didn't even hit the meat, cheese, ketchup or anything except the bun.
But man, what a great start.
Go for it, Simon, go for it.
And PS - Simon is awesome
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As always with your writing, this story touched me, so I just wanted to leave a 'thanks for sharing' comment. I love those moments with my son, and you perfectly described the feeling one gets, at those times, as a mother. Wonderful. Go Simon!
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Simon is just the sweetest boy! I love how you share everything about him! Congrats to Simon on just going with the hamburger! It just cracks me up!
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Well done Simon, and congrats Ali. I know your joy! We had a breakthrough with Muffins the other day! Alex who has AS tried it at school and liked it came home and told me. So we went and got some muffin mix and made some and YES he ate them at home in front of me!!!
Its great to have a success like that!
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WOW! What a great story! Thank you so much for sharing that little triumph with us. On a day when I am struggling to understand my teenage son, this little reminder of the little things in life that I take for granted has been great. Congrats on the break through!
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Oh, Ali, I have tears in my eyes reading this. I know full well just how amazing that was. WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank goodness Simon has a respectful set of parents who are wise enough not to battle it out about food issues... it's a whole different ballgame with kids on the spectrum. I'm SO HAPPY FOR YOU!!
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That's great! I'm cheering for you. :)
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We had the same McDonlad's experience and I was surprised at my son trying the hamburger as well. He has not ordered one since though! We had a "new food February" where we let the kids shop with us and make some choices as to what they wanted to try (mostly fruits and cheeses for them) and my husband and I tried to round out our selecton with some vegies and meats. It was fun and added some adventure to our mealtimes. (I confess I am a picky eater though... so I just make sure we choose healthy even if it has little variation).
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WOOHOO! YIPPEE! YAY! Fantastic! I felt the emotions right along with you as I read the post. The sinking feeling when the hamburger was pulled out, the anticipation that started when a fit was not thrown, the bit of joy when the first bite was taken, and the pure elation when he said he liked it! I AM DOING THE HAPPY DANCE FOR YOU!!! So very exciting!
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We have eating issues too. So I understand how big of a deal this is!!!! CONGRATS!!!!!!
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What a moment to cherish, Ali!!!
He's growing up allright and I hope this will be the start of a new 'adventure' for him :)
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That is awesome!!! We also suffer from food issues. I can feel your pain and happiness.
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Food issues, my *favorite* issue with the children... Sure sounds like you're on a great start towards new food experiences, though! Congrats--and hope you got to the pool before that dreaded sign.
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AWESOME! And, I'm cracking up a little, because we've been going through the same thing and we have "no thank you" bites/helpings, too.
HUGS and HAPPY DANCE in your honor (Ali, Chris, and Simon)!
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I have two kids with Autism. We went through the McDonald's stage and I hear it from many other parents of kids with Autism. They will only eat chicken nuggets from McDonald's. And they will eat nothing else. Nothing. We celebrated after a few years when my son would eat bologna, not in a sandwich, just plain bologna. And then there is the color phases, when they will only eat things that are orange in color - but not oranges. Or white in color. Lots of stages! Good job on the cheeseburger!!
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you know I know this is the biggest, hugest deal! so proud of Simon and soooooo happppyyyy for you Ali!! Woo flippin hoo!!!
xoxo
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After reading your story I laughed so hard I cried. From one autistic mom to another: hooray!! (I am printing your story to share with our Autism Speech group. There is so much hope for each of us in what you wrote. Thanks!)
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awesome! tears in my eyes over that...good job, mama! kristen in nor cal
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Ali,
Thank you so much for being a living example of the words you express: CAPTURE LIFE. I read your blog regularly and each time I find something that inspires me to find the joy in even the little things of my own life...to dig down deeper and take notice of those precious, fleeting moments I hope never to forget and to celebrate my life, my family, my friends, my art whenever I can. This victory for Simon made me beam from ear to ear with excitement and then want to head home and write down something I am proud of--right here, right now. Thank you for that!
And from one picky eater to another--way to go Simon! That's AWESOME!
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YAY, SIMON!
I can so relate to that "happy dance" going on in your head!! I had this experience with my son several months ago. It is so extremely exciting! So the next time you go thru the drive-thru ask
"Nuggets or Hamburger?". To my surprise, my son told me BURGER and it has been that way ever since. Hopefully, Simon will do the same! He's growing up, Ali. Isn't it a wonderful thing?! :)
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Hey Ali-
My mom left a comment earlier about my MILDLY AUTISTIC son.(she also put my maiden name, thats moms for ya!) HAHAHAHA! That is the grandmother take on it. Yeah, celebrating what other people see as little victories are the things we treasure around this house. My blog has become an outlet for talking to people about autism and sensory disorders and severe learing delays. Who knew?
By the way we probaly know a common person. Rebecca Sower, my mom and I worked in the scrap book store that she owned before it all took off for her. We packaged all those little embelishments in my moms living room.
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YEAH! We have similiar food issues with Brady so I certainly know how excitig that was for you! Also, saw an add for your minibook book today in CK-very cool. Will try to remember to order it when it comes out. :)
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Wahooooooo!!! Gottta love those moments. I always brace for the worst, which usually makes the reaction seem less severe. But when the "reaction" becomes a "response" it leads to very very happy memorable documentable moment.
Wahoooooooo- go Simon!!
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YAY Simon!!
I could read the excitement in your 'voice' as I read that post. That is a great moment, and I thank you for sharing it with us!
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Yay! You are the most awesome mom to (rightfully) see these small events as major milestones!
...Aaaaand I now want a Happy Meal. With a Cheeseburger. And a Kung Fu Panda toy. Actually, I mostly want the toy. Yes, I am 38 going on 8 ;-).
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