Hi Andrew,
Isaac is wearing jeans today for the first time in his life. He loves them. We bought them a few days ago and I was going to replace the button with a hook and eye so it would be easier for him to fasten.
Well, so far he has been able to fasten them and unfasten them independently. I just wanted you to know in case he had trouble. We told him to ask for help if he couldn't get his pants unbuttoned or buttoned. If it's a problem, we'll take the button off and replace it. Please let me know if he needs help today.
He's pretty proud of these jeans!
Thanks,
Tyann
Hi Tyann,
I knew it! He came into the classroom doing the Isaac strut and smiling. I wondered if it was the jeans, so I made a big deal about it which made him smile more and strut even harder.
He is looking spiffy!
He didn’t ask for any help yet, but I’ll keep an eye on it.
Have a great day!
Andrew
Hi Isaac,
Remember the night our family drove to Kohl’s (I had a 30% off coupon in my purse) and we searched for pants for you and Noah?
You were interested in jeans, so Dad chose a few for you to try on. (Due to your sensory issues, all the tags have been cut out of your clothes, so we had no idea what size you needed. This makes me absolutely crazy. I start sweating and swearing whenever we shop for clothes. You’re lucky your dad is such a patient man.)
I was mortified when you opened the door and shuffled out of the dressing room. Because you hadn't unbuttoned the jeans, they were pulled up as high as you could get them -- to your knee caps.
Once Dad entered the dressing room with you and helped put the jeans on, you looked proud. I think wearing them made you feel more self-confident.
Do you remember when you screamed, “Shorts, shorts!” at full volume while you tried on those athletic pants? One pair was black and the other was gray. I think a few shoppers thought we tried to kidnap you, but of course that wasn’t true.Your message was clear: You preferred the jeans and would rather wear shorts than the athletic pants.
Over the years, I’ve taken pants to the dry cleaners. For a small fee they can replace a button with a snap. (I did that with Noah’s pants a few years ago when buttons gave him trouble.) They can replace a button with a hook-and-eye fastener. (Our friend Megan did this for us a few years ago, too. Wasn’t that nice of her?) The lady who works at the dry cleaners said she can even add Velcro if that would make things easier. Can you believe it?
I’m proud of you for buttoning your jeans. It’s not easy when you have autism and a fine motor delay. I know how many hours of occupational therapy it’s taken – and years of practice – for you to get this far.
Most people may not understand why it’s such a big deal, but I do.
Love,
Mom