Working Christmas Isn't Half Bad

There are no young kids in my family (the youngest cousin is 22 so she outgrew dolls and tea sets a few years ago), so I will admit that didn't put up a huge fuss when I learned that I would need to work on Christmas morning this year. It meant I would get to see my work kids (kiddos, kidoodles, babes, youguns, nutcases, crazyones, psychos, their names vary depending on my/their mood) see Santa and open presents.

I helped shop for all 18 of them a few weeks ago, and while it was an exhausting morning running up and down the aisles of Target with lists and gift cards in hand, picking out clothes and toys for the children that I've come to know over the last six months was such a joy. It was especially fun to find the toys for the ones who had been able to make their own lists and ask for specific things and I could picture their faces on Christmas morning when they opened their gifts.

Sure enough, when T. opened his gift bag this morning and found a sweatshirt, he proudly proclaimed that it was a GREEN sweatshirt, just like he'd asked for! Santa had gotten it right! And C. is so excited to have her very own MP3 player to listen to Disney songs on, D. loves the book of maps we picked out for him, J.'s got his own beanbag chair, and P. can bounce on his exercise ball whenever he wants (well, until he pops it). Sure, many of the kids are completely unaware that today is different from any other and that they've got a whole bag of new stuff just for them, but to enjoy a few moments with the ones that do get it, well, that was worth getting up at 6:30 for.

Ice cream: The great pacifier.

I took two of my more difficult and aggressive kids on what I like to call a "Drive-By Outing" today.

Really, we load up the van and go through the drive-through at McDonald's for a Happy Meal, or like today, an ice cream sundae. We talked about the cars, the busses, the trucks, the bulldozers, the dogs, everything along the way, but what really got them excited was whenever we mentioned those two magic words, "ice cream." One got strawberry (I think that's what he wanted) and the other most definitely and emphatically wanted HOT FUDGE!! (my kind of kid) A good outing was had by all.

After a day like yesterday and week like this week, it was nice to end on a sugary sweet note.

Some days are just hard.

Today was one of them.

It's hard to let go.

One of the higher functioning teens I've worked with for the last 3 months moved to a different unit last night. It was the right move and he will undoubtedly grow and mature there more than he ever could have where he had been.

I saw him today with his new peers, and got a lump in my throat. Just surrounded by these new boys in his new environment, he looked so much more mature, like the teenager he is. I wanted so much to sit and talk to him and ask him how things were going, but it wasn't the right place or time. I waved as I walked out the door and had to blink back tears. Is that what it's like to watch a child grow up?

Always check your pockets before bed.

Tonight I found sticky jellybeans I'd been carrying around as edible reinforcers. Some nights it's Lite Bright pegs. Other nights it's broken crayons, peeled paint, puzzle pieces, dice, laminated pictures for my picture schedules. My pockets are like those mystery grab bags you get at the fair, only much stickier.

Winning can put a smile on any child's face.

It's been a busy week in my autism world! We went to the fair on Monday and I learned so much. A few of the kids won ribbons in the art contest and they were so excited! I also learned that sheep are soft, camels eat funny, and big slides and rides that make you feel sick are awesome.

After a week of rain, everyone needs a little fun.

Especially staff, who I think enjoyed playing volleyball and making collages even more than the kids did today!