Parenting
Related: About this forumLet the games begin
The players:
Player #1: Tired grandma whos babysitting this weekend
Player #2: Energetic 8-year-old boy with autism and minimal language skills
The playing field: A large house in a large yard. The house has five possible exits, all of which can be operated by Player #2. The large yard is soggy and muddy. Its raining.
Objectives: Player #1 attempts to keep Player #2 clean and dry until school starts while feeding him a nutritious breakfast. Player #2 attempts to go out to play in the mud while consuming only chocolate milk for breakfast.
Time limit: Two hours until school starts.
Scrivener7
(52,748 posts)When I worked with minimally-verbal autistic kids, my battle pack was heavy on bubbles and mini M&Ms.
spinbaby
(15,199 posts)He arrived at school having had chocolate milk and bacon for breakfast and with wet feet.
Scrivener7
(52,748 posts)Call it a victory.
I love kids with autism. You always know where you stand with them, and in 20 years though I got lots of stubbornness from them, I never experienced malice from a single one of them.
spinbaby
(15,199 posts)This kid never seems to stop moving, so managing him takes a lot of physical energy. But when he actually manages to use language in a meaningful way, its high fives and celebrations.