Sienna used to jump up and down whe she got excited and still does on occasion. It's heartwarming. She expresses her emotions physically and to see her jump up and down, I know she's very happy or excited about something. Thank goodness because I'm sure there are many things in a day that she dreads.
Sienna sings and sings and sings. She makes up her own songs and she has lovely tone. Very rarely will she sing in front of anyone other than us but she makes up either her own words or completely nonsensical lyrics to a familiar tune that she knows. And she literally sings in the shower. Kinda like the opera way. Just like those commercials. I have tried to record some because I love listening to it so much!
Sometimes having to stick to the routine can be monotonous but other times it's a godsend. For example, now that we have practiced the morning routine of getting dressed, brushing teeth and going to the washroom, she will sometimes do these things on her own and then come to my room afterward to surprise me. Cutest thing ever! And it's like Christmas for me!
One of my favourite phrases from Sienna is "Right mommy?" This usually comes when she is telling someone else something that she feels is important. Like for example, telling someone about the rock cycle. We've read this national geographic book many times and she always wants to describe what is happening in the volcano picture. If she was telling someone else about volcanoes or rocks, she would very likely look at me when she's done and say, "Right mommy?" Or sometimes she will tell her dad something that I told her she could do and look to me and say, "Right mommy?" And she always says it in the same chipper tone.
This kid has the memory of ... an elephant? My grandfather? I don't know the saying, but she remembers things in pictures. We went to Canada's Wonderland last year and discussed going back again, she can recite some very particular details of that day -- a year ago. Like how many divers were in the show or what colour her roller coaster car was that day. Sure enough I could pull out a photo and she's right.
This kid loves the water. She loves swimming so much that if she does her little practice dive in the deep end, she is howling laughter before she even comes up for air. Sometimes I wonder how she manages to take a breath. I think about her challenges with body awareness and can see how swimming might make her feel free and weightless. I'm sure it's a relief for her from lifting her heavy limbs and bruising her poor legs on random things. Once we get her into the bathtub, she could stay there for hours if we let her. She loves laying in the bath listening underwater to the interesting muffled noises.
I still get to pick out her clothes. So if she doesn't match, it's my fault! Enough said.
When we get her on her crazy giggle, she won't stop. If we mimic her, she will continue until we are all crying with laughter. And she has the cutest laugh. She doesn't use it often so it is saved for cuteness.
She is a happy child and excited to go places and see new things. She loves animals and reptiles and will be an ant advocate for life. Her fascination with living things is admirable.
Maybe people would say that "every child has these cute little talents" or whatever. But we know these things are just a little bit different for our child. So there... There are just a few of the things that autism does to bring smiles to our faces.
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