"See movie"

One of the things about having a child with a developmental disability is that you celebrate different "milestones" and different achievements. Since some things require so much hard work for your child, you celebrate like crazy when it happens. And although it sounds so small by the world's standards, they are big in our life. This weekend we had to celebrate Ryan's memory, his initiative and his determination...

While driving home on Saturday morning, Ryan and I passed by the big movie theatre by our house. Ryan yelled "vee" when he saw it and got a bit excited about it. I was amazed that he remembered we had gone to see a movie there, so I asked him if he saw a movie there before.. "yeah" he replied. "Do you want to go see a movie there soon?" "yeah yeah yeah" he replies very LOUDLY. So I tell him "when we get home, tell Daddy you want to see a movie. Tell him 'see movie'" (and I do the signs with him as well). When we get home, he quickly gets out of the car, runs over to Tom in the garage and says "ee vee" (and signs "see movie"). So, we talk about going to see a movie the next day and getting popcorn and pop to go with it. He mentions it again later that night and we remind him that we're going to go tomorrow.

The next day, we discuss again that we'll go.... after nap time. I tell Ryan he has to have a nap first, and then we'll go to see the movie. The VERY first thing he says when he wakes up from his nap is "ee vee" (with the signs of course). And I must say, I got amazing cooperation from my little boy over the next little while... changing clothes? no problem.... turning the TV off? right away..... getting coat and shoes on? as quick as I can Mom!

I know it doesn't sound like much to most people. But for a little boy with a severe speech delay, the persistance he showed about this really impressed me. How could I not reward him?