Just let Max be Max

Today we took Max to the shark feeding at the aquarium and he loved it.  He is OBSESSED with sharks and dinosaurs at the moment. Max isn't the best in crowded situations. He yells, he says things over and over, he flaps and spins. Usually we try to stop him. Today Will and I didn't tell him to stop, or to calm down, or hold his flapping arms. He is his own kid. He doesn't realize he does these things, or when he does "stim" or repeat things it is because he is happy or sad. And today he was happy, so why should I stop him? I know socially it isn't "typical" or "acceptable" but he doesn't care. Why should I?

Today we got every bad look, fake smiles, mean glares, and one guy even asked will to "quiet him down." I wish this didn't happen, but I was prepared for it.  I smiled back, or just ignored their rude behaviors.  This was a day for Max and his sharks. And also a good day for me to realize that I need to let him just be him. I need to let go of my own insecurities.  

The Chase

Max has been playing more and more people games.  Just this past month he has learned that chasing is really fun.  He used to just stand and watch others chase, look and go back to his own world, or would only run away.  Now he comes back and is the chaser. He is participating in the chase.  Dexter and Max LOVE this game, and of course play it any chance they get. They love playing around the couch.  Max has been loving having his Cousin Charley so close because she is also happy to play "The Chase" with him too.  Charley says "I'm going to get you" and Max now repeats it and says "Get you!"

It has been really fun to watch Max learn these last few months.  He is picking up on more social ques and becoming more confident in social settings.  Nursery at church is still hard, and he does things that make the other kids ask things like "what is he doing?"  Or "Why does he do that?"  But he is progressing.  And my doctor has always told me that progress is progress no matter how big or small.