Something is fishy

If you were to meet Zach, you would think of him as a sweet child with a terrific smile. You would probably observe, at some point, that he was autistic, and seemed to not pay attention to much around him at times, and certainly not what others are doing. But if you were to know Zach like Steve and I and a few therapists do, then you would know, the kid is sly. He is totally aware. He will never really let you know what he knows unless it is on his terms. In other words, he is a cute little pain in the azz that we blame a lot of hi-jinx on autism that might be better attributed to his personality.

Before break, I had gone in to get Zach's program book from an room near where the lead psychologist's office is at school. While there, she had the chance to observe him play with several toys and commented that he was so interested in so many of them. He appeared to be more attentive to those toys his sister was playing with. She seem surprised by this. I, however, was not. This is very typical for Zach. This is not, however, necessarily typical for a child with autism. Zach loves Thomas (as many ASD kids do) but he also likes Hot Wheels, My Little Pony, Little People, and Weebles too.

According to teachers and aids at Zach's school, a few spontaneous outbursts and actions have been occurring from Zach. One day, he was knocking down a fellow classmates block towers, but they didn't realize it was Zach doing it. Apparently, he would wait for the aid to look away, and quickly do it. This is so-o-o Zach. He is a chip of the ol' block, and this is certainly something is old man would do. Zach finally just did it very openly, and they realized it was him. They never held Dimple Boy suspect. I have been trying to warn them!

Apparently, in circle time, they were doing something involving a monkey, and out of the blue came monkey noises to which they attributed to another student. Unable to contain himself, he continued to make them, and they realized it was Zach all along. But he never has been "taught" this. *sigh*

Yesterday, I attempted to have Zach draw a circle after I did. No luck. I was mumbling under my breath that he was never going to get it. The evening's therapist showed up. As I reviewed what her goals for the evening were, I showed her what I was attempting to do with him, and how it wasn't working. Except it did. As I drew a circle, and asked him to do it, he shakily drew one. Then I drew a horizontal line as I said "do this" and he did that too. But one last chance to show that it was just luck was blown too as I drew a vertical line with a "do this" and he likewise shakily drew one.

These few examples display a little of our frustration with him. I really don't think it is wishful thinking that he has more in him then he lets on. These little outbursts here and there, especially once he feels comfortable with people happen infrequent enough to say he can do anything, but frequently enough to say that he could be doing more.

I know he is feeling more comfortable with the folks at school. In fact, I would say that he downright has affection for them. Why? One action: pooping. Zach finally pooped at school for the first time about a month ago. That's when I knew the kid was feeling comfortable in his environment.

When Buddy died the Christmas of 2008, we were lost without a pet, and Sophia really wanted one. The following Easter, the Easter Bunny brought "Spot" and "Fluffy" to help fill the void. Zach has given these fish the occasional passing glance. And then there was last night, while I was drawing the bath and Steve was at work. I came downstairs to see Zach sitting on the table in our foyer, totally enthralled and delighted. Sophia was yelling something like "Zach is petting the fish"to which she later explained she was saying "Zach is picking up the fish!". Here is my post from facebook to let you know what he was up to:

Found Zach petting the fish, then realized he lifted the one fish out of its bowl and put it in with the other fish bowl. Two male bettas together in one bowl. Just call us the Michael Vics of the fish world.

Apparently, he thought they looked lonely and would be better suited together. For those of you not in the know, bettas are also known as Siamese Fighting Fish, called this because two males put into a tank together will fight to the death. Anyhow, no fish were harmed - at least they have made it almost 24 hours after the incident without dying. Now that I think about it, perhaps this was just Zach's subtle way of trying to get me to change the nasty water they were living in. Everyone is a critic, even my ASD kid.