An "aha" moment!

A few weeks ago, I had a lunch meeting with the director of the Quad City Autism Center, Michelle Smyth. I shared with her that I was really troubled. We can provide Lyric the answer to a question - ie. "Your middle name is Kay".  Then ask her the question, "What is your middle name?" and Lyric will look at you like you are speaking a foreign language. 

The director told me to draw it next time. "Lyric sees in pictures," she said.

Ok...easy enough. I just didn't really understand how to put that advice into practical parenting use! On Lyric's first day of school, however, she was suddenly overcome with anxiety. Despite weeks of preparation and explanation - details regarding exactly how the bus would pick her up from daycare...take her to school...then return her to daycare later, she was completely, and utterly confused. "What about school, mommy?" "What about Just Kids?" "Where's the bus?" "Where's school?" 

Suddenly, I remembered Michelle's advice. I grabbed a piece of paper and drew a map - from Just Kids to the school and back. I drew Lyric...I drew the bus...I drew arrows. And literally...I saw a light go on in Lyric's head. She got it! She clutched that map and triumpantly explained it to anyone who would listen. I learned later she even shared it at school and for this wacked-out mama it was the best first day of school ever!