Connecting

(I love the look on Chase's face in this picture....the question is, is this look Le Tigre, Blue Steel, Ferrari or Magnum?)

Every so often, Eric and I are given a day where Chase seems like he's, well, I'm not sure how to explain it, but it's like he acts less autistic than usual.


Yesterday, Chase was talking up a storm. It wasn't that he was having conversations with me or anything, but still just talking alot and his words were clearer than usual, and he was making eye contact like a champ.

I had noticed that something was different yesterday, so did Allie and so did Eric. In the evening, Eric mentioned how Chase seemed different, and commented on how Chase has really progressed in the recent weeks (ABA therapy is wonderful!)
I told Eric how I noticed something different during the day too. It was like Chase was trying to connect with those around him, which isn't something he normally does. Normally he's pretty much in his own little world and he likes it that way. What we try to do and what his therapists do is try to get him out of his own little world that he is so comfortable being in.

Words can't express how much i LOVE when we are given days like yesterday. Days where it seems our son comes out of his autism momentarily, and tries to connect with us. When I say connect, i mean things like talking to us, allowing us to pick him up, hug him, actually stopping and looking at us when we talk to him, and listening to us. It was like that all day yesterday.

Today, it wasn't.
The moment was gone, but not forgotten.

I live for days like yesterday and look forward to the next one that may come; whenever that may be, I'll be ready.

(Chase's self portrait)