Dear Addie,
“I’m so hungry I could eat a horse!” That my dear is a phrase I would probably never say to you and for good reason, because you would most likely be looking for a large horse being served up for dinner! Now excuse me while I shake off that gross image in my head for a minute (yikes), but it’s the truth! Most autistic individuals take language quite literally and can’t decipher the meaning of idioms and metaphors which in fact is what that phrase is. As if learning language wasn’t hard enough, right?! While I’m just telling you how absurdly hungry I might be, you’re thinking horse is on the menu – which just so we are clear will never be the case…like ever.
Now that we’ve cleared that up, I was reminded of how literal you take things sometimes this week. With your school being project-based learning we have been preparing ourselves for a field trip and all aspects of that since school started. From learning about NC wildlife, plants & environment, survival supplies needed for backpacking (side note: this will not be the next season of Survivor so no worries), food, how to make food while camping – really all things food from meal planning - to eating - to cleaning up, what clothing to wear, how much of just about everything we need to bring, and even how to make a bed in the lodge. There was way more discussed, but you get the point – we were and are doing some solid prep work here!
Every day we have what’s called “Projects” which is designated time to better prepare ourselves for this big adventure (also with basic life skills), and this week they had set up stations for practicing important tasks we may need along the way.
First up – “Sweeping.”
Easy peasy, small colorful blocks were on the floor, and you had to sweep them into the dust pan. Check! No problem there, I mean I don’t want to brag, but you were practically a scholar at this one.
Next up – “Make a bed” now when this one was being explained the teacher first said “because you are going to need a place to sleep…” and then proceeded to describe the task of making a bed in the lodge. This is when I’m pretty sure you heard only two words “bed” & “sleep”. Now never one to disappoint, when it was your turn, you walked over to the supplies with such confidence like you totally had this one with no help, unfolded the sheet, then proceeded to lay on the gym floor covering yourself up. I’m positive I even heard some pretend snoring coming from beneath the sheet. After a bit of a giggle from myself, I got you up and helped you actually complete the task at hand and make the pretend bed which was in fact a long folding table. We did the fitted sheet, put the pillow in the pillowcase, put the blanket neatly on the bed (table) then you thought - oh this must be the bed I’m sleeping in as you then proceeded to try to climb up on the table…repeatedly.
I’m happy to report that momma, as old and tired as I feel most days, still has cat-like speed and reflexes and you never successfully made it on the table. But while you never made it on the table you did snag the blanket and resort to the floor one more time.
Another day in the life of a literal thinker.
Addie, while you did need a little redirection on this task you completed it, and it was just another reminder of the beautiful way you think about things in life and just how smart and silly you are.
We’re getting closer to our big adventure! Soon, soon, soon!
Great job baby girl.
Love,
Mom
(How Addie Actually sleeps in a big pile of blankets zzzzzzzzzz)
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