Best quote of the day: "I want to touch everything!"

Most little boys love trains.  But there are many kids on the spectrum that have a similar fondness for them.  For my son, he use to love to watch the wheels turn.  Thomas was always the favorite.  We even had his first birthday party at Travel Town; a train museum in Los Angeles.  Was the really 10 years ago!!??  <sniff, tear> We went to visit Travel Town today and it is just as popular with kids as ever.  My kids always loved this place and that was no different today.  They were so excited that I even let them ride the train around the park all by themselves for the first time.  And they got seats right in front.  
'Milo had always been so sensitive about his hands.  He didn't like them dirty or sticky, but more so than just typical kids.  He reacted like it was burning his skin.  But over the years, with OT and therapy that he has had since the wee age of 2, it has really helped to relieve the anxiety he had about it.  So today when he exclaimed, "I want to touch everything!" I had a moment where I stopped and thought, "oh that's right!  he never did that before".  Watching him opening flaps and moving levers and not worried about the dirt on his hand and not SMELLING his hands after touching something!!  I mean wow, really.  Even as I write this I realize, he didn't smell his hands once!  This is really only in the last month and a half of ABA and he's already stopped smelling things. 

One might say, what's the big deal about smelling things.  Well, let me ask you this; as an adult, if another adult shook your hand and smelled their hand after, what would you think?  It's just not a socially acceptable behavior.  This is a life skill that most people don't have to be taught.  It's little things like this that people don't realize.  There is constant teaching when you have a child with Autism.  Today made me realize all the blood, sweat, are tears you put into helping your child it so worth it when you see what's been accomplished.  I appreciate all he has become so much.

Yesterday started off with a bang...

I was not good as you can see from the post I wrote on our FB page:

"Today I hate autism. I hate the challenging behaviors it gives my son. It's not his fault, it's the autism. I hate that I have those moments where I just need to close the door and scream! It's not my fault, it's the autism. I hate that it can ruin a moment in time for my family. It's not our fault, it's the autism. I hate that people who have not experienced autism first hand can be quick to judge. It's not their fault, it's the autism. I hate that at times I feel like I'm the only one that gets me, when there are thousands of autism parents having that same feeling. It's not our fault, it's the autism.
There are times that I love what autism has taught me. I love that other autism parents support each other. I love when I can share a suggestion that works for another parent and they are so appreciative. I love that ah-ha! moment when I figure out that one thing that helps my son "get it".
But today, I hate autism"