When I first mentioned the game, Chris said he didn't want to go because it would cause Isaac too much anxiety. It's true. Isaac's anxious about going because his routine will be disrupted. Kaylee, his respite provider who is usually here on Tuesday nights for a few hours, won't be coming over tonight. The other problem -- which seems to be much bigger in his mind -- is the food we won't be eating at home.
I have created weekly menus for years. It helps with planning and anxiety and having something to eat every night. After the pandemic hit, we decided that Wednesdays would be our carryout night so we can support a local restaurant. Often that looks like getting food to go. Isaac likes this option very much, as does everyone else in the family. Tonight we were supposed to have Chicken Tyann, a dish made in the crockpot, served with steamed broccoli. Wednesday we are supposed to get carryout.
BUT tonight we are eating at Taco John's in Marshalltown because 1) Isaac and Chris love tacos and 2) it's on the way to the game and 3) the Marshalltown Taco John's is well known in the area for amazing service. So tonight is our carryout night. Wednesday we will eat Chicken Tyann. And this whole switch has thrown him for a loop.
I have asked Isaac dozens of times whether he wants to go to the game or stay home with Henry. Each time he
says he wants to go to the game. He wants it to be at CFHS, just down the street. And he wants me to make Chicken Tyann tonight, even though nobody will be here to eat it except Henry, and Henry's not too thrilled about that thought. It's not even something Isaac *really* likes, although he will eat it. But it was on the menu. In his mind, it was written in stone.
This morning Isaac started in for the millionth time about having chicken on Tuesday, and I told him maybe he just needed to stay home tonight. But he said no. He wants to go to the game. I'm not a morning person, and hearing about chicken again just about caused me to run away from home.
Today after school, I'm taking him to do recycling drop off and a pop can donation, just like any other Tuesday. Then we'll drive the long way home. Chris is coming home from work early and then we're headed to Marshalltown.
He might not be happy on the way down there, or even while eating tacos. But he'll be happy at the game. Tonight after we get home, we need to swing by Hy-Vee, whether we need anything or not because it's a Tuesday night thing. Then he will go home and do a few loads of laundry. Isaac will be talking about this menu switcheroo for at least a week. That's just how his brain works. Eventually he will stop talking about it.
It's not easy to change plans when autism is in the house, but as I've reminded Isaac, this is life. Things happen, and the schedule changes. Unfortunately, the people who set up these substate basketball finals didn't consult us to see what might work best for our schedules.
I imagine a reporter doing a story on Isaac and his love for the CFHS Tigers. "Wasn't that a great game? Is there anything you want to say?" I imagine Isaac turning towards the camera and saying, "Chicken Tuesday!" and then signing that he wants to go home.