Picture Day

What was picture day like for you? I, for one, was a big fan of picture day growing up. It meant pink sponge rollers the night before, or the crimper depending on the decade we're talking about. Extra care was always taken for the outfit, of course, and it was always just so fun. I obviously realize that this is my perspective as a girl and boys probably don't take that level of preparation, but I think on the inside even boys secretly like picture day.  I certainly remember a couple of brothers of mine who may or may not have used extra hair gel on picture day. 

Now let me tell you what picture day is like for a kid with autism:

First, he needs to be prepared starting several days in advance because it's not part of his regular routine, therefore it'll probably irritate him.

Next, he needs to be prepared to smile. This was a mistake we made last year. Because of autism, he certainly isn't going to smile just because someone asks him to. And he isn't going to laugh or smile at a squeaky toy, because it's not funny. So we practiced, "Eli, they are going to ask you to smile and then you can smile and say 'Cheese!'." And we kept talking about it and kept practicing. 

Then, the day will come and maybe the parents were determined to make sure the boy child didn't wear a dinosaur shirt for the picture. But that leaves about 2 shirt options. Neither of which he likes. So it took Ryan and me both to wrestle him into his cute shirt. And he was NOT happy about it. But with lots of distraction and promises of taking his train to school he survived the shirt. Then came hair. :-/ He doesn't like to have his hair fixed either, BUT! I have learned that he tolerates it better if I use a comb instead of my hands. So very quietly and calmly, I snuck up behind him and acted as if I were just gently stroking his hair to help him calm down. In reality I was secretly putting gel in his hair and then I combed it softly. Worked like a charm! No complaints! 

Off to school he went. 

When I picked him up, his teacher came out to tell me that she could tell we had practiced because he kept asking her if it was time to go say "cheese!" yet. And all afternoon he keeps telling me, "Mama! I say cheese like this!" And then he demonstrates. 

I didn't teach him to put his hands on his hips like that, but it makes it cuter, don't you think?! 

I just love him so much!