In the last 5 years, we've gone on over a hundred rides to Bremerton. It was at this time that I discovered that the break for the Fall and Winter months just weren't working for Morgan, for by the time Spring rolled around again, he had forgotten everything he had learned about riding. Children with autism need lots of repetition for pretty much everything, even preferred activities, to remember the process and rules. Things like - no running on the ferry, you have to stay with Mom and most importantly - when it's time to get off you have to say 'okay'. No time off for the weary Mom - repetition is the only key. I began videotaping our trips to help Morgan remember the rules by showing him successful trips. He now has a video library to watch when he has down time which he watches with iTunes background music. One of these days, I'll figure out how to mix the two together so he has his fav tunes with his fav trips.
So we now use the ferry as incentive to try harder in school, for following rules in Orchestra or doing his very best in track. I also keep up the pace to keep the lessons fresh in his mind. So, we went on yet another ferry ride this weekend. The video here is actually from another ferry ride, but you get the idea - scenic views, waves lapping against the ferry, wind - blah, blah. I hate to sound jaded, but after you've hit 100 - it's just another boat
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We have a pattern for our trips to Bremerton, which we have only recently been able to vary. We drive onto the ferry, go upstairs and sit to eat our breakfast (usually bagels & cream cheese), then Morgan begins his boat tour, going from bow to stern and from port and starboard to port, then back again. About 15 minutes before we dock, I begin counting down the time, reminding Morgan that when it's time to get off he will say ' okay'.
In the early years I had to use a written schedule to remind him of what was coming next. Now, I just have to count him down. We still have a few times when he doesn't comply and I have had to get the ferry personnel to help me out on numerous occasions. This has become less and less frequent with time. I think he has finally figured out that there will always be another ferry ride.
When we get to Bremerton, we either go to Evergreen Rotary park or we have lunch. I let him decide which he wants to do first. On this particular trip, he chose the park first. I try to keep in mind that Morgan needs to exercise making choices and also becoming more independent, so I let him choose what's next and the restaurant. Like many children with autism however, open ended questions don't work, so I still have to give him a list to choose from, but I still try with 'where do you want to eat' - just to see.
Sometimes I bring our bikes with us to ride around the park, but I seem to have misplaced a critical piece to the bike rack, so that choice isn't available yet. This time I brought his skateboard and he seemed to be happy with that. I have to use constant reminders with Morgan to stay where he can see me. I can't say where I can see you because perspective taking is not his strong suit. Even though we've been to this park and stood on the pier literally hundreds of times, Morgan never seems to tire of it. Water seems to call to him and he could live on the beach or better still, on the ferry to Bremerton.
Next week we have a train ride to Portland to celebrate his most successful track season yet. I hope to be able to videotape him boarding and exiting the train, so he can remember how it's done, along with much of the scenery along the way. It's been quite a while since we've done this so, wish me luck.
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