Leaps and Bounds

We have recently found an activity that Cash absolutely loves. It's called little ninjas. It's at a little gymnastics' gym here in Phoenixville. It's called Ariels. Let's back up a little and I'll tell you how we got there. Back when Cash was around two and 1/2 or three my best friend Kate was taking her younger girls to a little drop-in gymnastics class. She asked if we would like to join, so we met them there. I was familiar with the place because when my oldest, Logan was eighteen months we did a mommy and me program. So we go to the class, which is pretty structured and your confined to this particular room because it is for the littles. The kids are waiting in line and taking turns at each station. However, that's not what was happening for Cash and me.

You have to remember at this point we had no clue about his autism, and he had just been home with me and no pre-school yet. He had been interacting with my friend's kids, but that's it. Looking back, I can't say I was even mad or frustrated with what transpired. I just kept thinking, this is so different from how Logan and Cole were at this age. It actually made me sad. Because whatever was going on, I could tell he couldn't help it.

So basically, when we were supposed to be waiting our turn, he couldn't. He was running all over the room. I could tell the others were getting frustrated. And looks to me like "keep your kid under control".  You know those looks. I was doing everything I could do to redirect him; nothing was working. The worst part was when he escaped the room and got loose in the big gym. There was so much going on out there, and very dangerous to a two-year-old. I finally waved my white flag and scooped him up and left. I couldn't chase him anymore and I was scared for his safety. As we left, I just remember looking back at all those kids and seeing them following direction and staying in line and thinking "I don't understand, I just want Cash to have fun like everyone else". I want to be clear that these moments are never brought up for a like "Awh, I feel bad for them"' This is just to emphasize on when we didn't know what was exactly going on, there was always a feeling of something is going on. I just wanted to figure it out, but most importantly because I wanted to help my son. 

Fast forward to present day. Cash and I were walking by Ariels and he asked to go in, it just so happened that night they were having a drop-in class for little ninjas. It's an obstacle course for little kids. We checked it out and he immediately asked to come back. What an amazing feeling to sit there and watch him smile ear to ear. Waiting in line, taking direction, no frustration. All I could do is just sit there and remember where we started and where we are now.  Cash has come leaps and bounds!