Big Steps For Connor

On Friday, May 4, Connor had a special day.  This has been a long time coming for him and he was so excited.  One of his teachers is the girls' softball coach and so he wanted Connor to help be the "manager" during their season this year.  Since the teacher would be there to keep things under control Connor was able to do it.  He would go up a little before the game and help get out equipment and get the roster ready.  Then he stayed and cheered the team on during the games.  There were only two away games this season and so the last game of the year was a travel game to Mesquite.  Mr. Griffiths wanted Connor to be able to go and felt like he had earned the privilege to go with the team, ride the bus and stay there the whole time with him there to supervise.  Connor did great and handled himself very well.  This has been something he has had to work for and was not just a given that he would be able to go.  So Connor put on his pirate shirt and hat, packed some snacks and some water and went with the team on the bus.  Now you may think that this is not that big of a deal but we feel like it is a big accomplishment for him.  He has matured quite a bit this year.  We still have our moments with him but this time last year I don't think we would have let him go and do this.  Since there have been things that have happened in the past I tend to be on guard all of the time with him and for him and want to make sure that he is not put in situations where there is potential for trouble.  Whether that is trouble caused by him or just the fact that he ends up in the wrong place at the wrong time.  We have had a few "perfect storms" and try mightily to avoid that at all costs.  Sometimes to his detriment even because we keep a tight handle on what he is able to participate in.  Since this was a good experience there is potential for other things like this for him to be a part of.  He is understanding more that he can control himself and he needs to choose to do so so that he can participate.  Whew!  Put that one in the win column!

Connor has also been doing some things with kids his own age for once and those have been successes as well.  He has been to the reservoir swimming a few times with some kids, on the Rhino for rides up around the reservoir, and during "M" week last week he actually wanted to go to the movie on the field that they do.  We thought that he would last for only part of it since he does not like movies usually but he stayed the whole time.

Connor also was the official half time floor sweeper for the home basketball games held this season.  He would get the big push mop and sweep the floor during halftime. He got to sit by the score keeper too so that was a bonus for him. 

He has made great strides this year and we hope to see that trend continue.  High school has been so much better and easier for him.  I was kind of worried about it but it has really been good for which I am so grateful.  With Aspberger's there is no "cure"or quick fix but things can get better and more manageable. Since Kyle has joined our family it seems that we have not had the time to do all the things that we thought we needed to to "fix" the situation.  We do know that Connor needs to stay busy and have things to do.  When there is a plan in place he is much calmer.  We also know that we can't throw a wrench into those plans very easily with out some fall out.  All in all we have seen progress so that is always a good thing.