Thursday 12 May 2016

Who is spinning at the playground?

We can never really know how David is going to act when we go somewhere we've either never been before or not been to for a long time. Like many with autism David likes to know what he's doing when we go somewhere. It doesn't need to be complicated, we are here for 'lunch' or 'play' and to be honest that covers a lot of things. He often uses Makaton and some sounds to repeat and let us know he's got the message.

Today we had 45 minutes with nothing to do while Anthony was at his cooking club. After is driven past the two closest playgrounds to the school which were both dismissed due to be heaving, I went to one that was next to a pay and display car park. Sometimes these playgrounds are a bit quieter and this was the case today, even though it was still a gloriously sunny afternoon.

I think it's been nearly a year since I've taken Jane and David to this playground so like many adventures with our kids I didn't know what David might do or how he might react. The destination had be labelled for 'play'. He walked in, iPad in hand. I pointed towards a spinner, his favourite playground apparatus and he was soon spinning around.  This really appeals to his sensory seeking but after a little while he went off for a wander.

Jane and I followed him around as he tried out most of the equipment. He particularly seemed to enjoy a spinner at an angle and some bouncy bugs. He'd been on one of these for a few seconds when another child stood nicely waiting in a queue type style and I asked her if she would like a turn.

The little girl noddy politely as I looked at David and wondered if this might cause upset.

"Little girl's turn, then David's turn," I said and gently prised my son of the spinner.

"David wait, then David's turn."

I looked at him nervously thinking that the next second would be one second too long but that second never came. The girl finished and David had another go that lasted a good while, but with no one else lining up he could take as long as he liked.

After a while he finished on this and the rest of the playground and headed over to the buggy. This is David's way of telling us he has finished playing.

"Finished?" I asked.

"Shed," David said... And signed.

We piled back into the car and headed back to school to pick up Anthony. Good, not a disaster at the playground. Even better I was wonderfully pleased with David. There are more and more of these things going well and that's such a relief. Best get home before it falls apart I thought!

Links
Our blog - Potato handler and crumble creator
Our blog - A ray of sunshine - autism at the playground

Autism in the playground

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Diary of an imperfect mum

Monkey and Mouse

14 comments:

  1. That is great that you got some time in the park and that David enjoyed it! I hope you get more and more chances at playing like this. #Whatevertheweather

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    1. We do try to get out - it's not always easy but each time it works I get a bit more confident about it. Thanks for commenting.

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  2. Oh bless him! I think if we are prepared for the 'worst' it makes the good time so much more pleasurable for everyone! Thank you for linking up to #spectrumsunday lovely, hope you join me again this week xx

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    1. Yes, that tends to be our attitude too. Always prepared to just go if it's not working. xxx

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  3. We to have specific parks we go to, and we are the family that goes at 8am or 6pm when no one else is there. Sounds like David had a lovely time today

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    1. Yes, late often works for us.. also in the winter or on dreary days too. xxx

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  4. So nice to hear that David has got a nice time in the playground. My son loves those spinning equipment too =) #whatevertheweather

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    1. I get dizzy watching kids on them. Not my cup of tea at all! Thanks for stopping by.

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  5. Awww so good that he had some fun in the playground. They really are great sensory activities aren't they. It's brilliant that he know some makaton as well. What a lovely afternoon. Thank you so much for sharing with #whatevertheweather x

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    1. Makaton has been his primary means of communication for a good while now. A few of us in the family are fairly fluent ;-)

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  6. Ahh sounds like David had a lovely time at the park!

    Laura @Dancing Dandelions #whatevertheweather

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  7. That's great that he coped so well with taking turns on the spinner, they are great fun and a fab sensory activity. It sounds like a very successful afternoon, hope you have lots more fun days there. Thanks for linking up to #Whatevertheweather :) x

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    1. Thanks, Wednesdays and Thursdays are the busy afternoons - I'm usually thankful that Friday has arrived. Thanks for stopping by xx

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