As you all may imagine, having a child that does not speak creates for some occasional frustrating moments. This is true particularly when Christopher does not feel well, and Alice and I really wish he could just tell us where it hurt. However, when Christopher is able to communicate his feelings through his various non-verbal means, it is always exciting, and he usually gets what he wants.
Much to the chagrin of our other two children, Ben and Abbie, they are not as successful in getting what they want as Christopher typically is even though they are both wonderful kids too. Ben still shares a room with Christopher. We have an extra room adjacent to theirs that Ben could call his own if he chose; or he could even move downstairs and have the freedom so many teenagers desire. But Ben is Christopher's loving, nighttime guardian, and Christopher likes having Ben around. Ben's job is not without risks. Many nights, Ben has been awakened by a flying projectile coming from Christopher's bed to his. When the bottle missile does not impact its intended target, Ben's head, and arouse him from his peaceful dreams, Christopher often resorts to a ground attack. He crawls to the end of his bed, reaches over to the foot of Ben's bed, and grabs Ben's feet. If Alice and I happen to already be asleep, Ben's startled reaction to the late-night attack usually wakes us up.
Last night, Christopher did not choose to launch missiles or a ground attack. He just did not want to go to sleep. Alice and I lay in bed from midnight until 1:00 a.m. listening to him play and roll around and we took turns checking on him to try and save Ben from another attack. At 1:15 a.m., it was my turn. Christopher was as wide awake as noonday. He motioned to me that he wanted to get out of bed. Curious, I extended my hand, and he took it. While holding my hand for support, Christopher walked out of his room. As soon as we turned the corner and the sound of Christopher's footfalls penetrated Ben's subconscious, he shot out of his bed and into the hall to save his brother from a feared late night escape. After I reassured Ben and sent him back to Bed, Christopher continued down the stairs and walked straight to the garage door and looked up at me with a grin. I knew exactly what he wanted. He wanted to go for a ride in the Corvette at 1:15 a.m. This time, Christopher DID NOT get what he wanted, and after another bottle of milk, he finally settled down and fell asleep.
In Christopher's mind, there are no pretenses or temporal limitations (such as time of day). If he wants to go for a ride at 1:15 a.m., he is not shy about communicating it. Importantly, when his wish is not facilitated, he happily moves on without hesitation to try again.
Much to the chagrin of our other two children, Ben and Abbie, they are not as successful in getting what they want as Christopher typically is even though they are both wonderful kids too. Ben still shares a room with Christopher. We have an extra room adjacent to theirs that Ben could call his own if he chose; or he could even move downstairs and have the freedom so many teenagers desire. But Ben is Christopher's loving, nighttime guardian, and Christopher likes having Ben around. Ben's job is not without risks. Many nights, Ben has been awakened by a flying projectile coming from Christopher's bed to his. When the bottle missile does not impact its intended target, Ben's head, and arouse him from his peaceful dreams, Christopher often resorts to a ground attack. He crawls to the end of his bed, reaches over to the foot of Ben's bed, and grabs Ben's feet. If Alice and I happen to already be asleep, Ben's startled reaction to the late-night attack usually wakes us up.
Last night, Christopher did not choose to launch missiles or a ground attack. He just did not want to go to sleep. Alice and I lay in bed from midnight until 1:00 a.m. listening to him play and roll around and we took turns checking on him to try and save Ben from another attack. At 1:15 a.m., it was my turn. Christopher was as wide awake as noonday. He motioned to me that he wanted to get out of bed. Curious, I extended my hand, and he took it. While holding my hand for support, Christopher walked out of his room. As soon as we turned the corner and the sound of Christopher's footfalls penetrated Ben's subconscious, he shot out of his bed and into the hall to save his brother from a feared late night escape. After I reassured Ben and sent him back to Bed, Christopher continued down the stairs and walked straight to the garage door and looked up at me with a grin. I knew exactly what he wanted. He wanted to go for a ride in the Corvette at 1:15 a.m. This time, Christopher DID NOT get what he wanted, and after another bottle of milk, he finally settled down and fell asleep.
In Christopher's mind, there are no pretenses or temporal limitations (such as time of day). If he wants to go for a ride at 1:15 a.m., he is not shy about communicating it. Importantly, when his wish is not facilitated, he happily moves on without hesitation to try again.