One of Billy's favorite books is called Woolbur. We have a CD that we listen to over and over and over again in the mini-van. And over. And over. Until I'm sure my ears are bleeding.
Woolbur is a sheep and I hate him with every fiber of my being, but I do like him slightly more than Corduroy the bear, whose life story was the soundtrack of the month of August and whose narrator sounds like Mr. Rogers on crack.
Woolbur's parents are worried because Woolbur doesn't run with the herd. He does his own thing. He runs with the wild dogs. He lets his wool grow, rather than getting sheared. He paints his wool funny colors and capers maniacally when he should be standing around like a ... sheep.
Woolbur is Billy's spirit animal.
All the children's books these days encourage kids to "march to your own drummer!" "Be yourself!" "Stand out!"
Which is funny to the parents of autistic kids, because our children have no problem taking this life lesson to heart on any given day. And we spend all our time constructing "social stories" to teach our unique little lambs how to run with the herd and blend in.
Sample social story:
"I like my witch hat.
Dressing up in my witch hat at home is fun.
When I go to school, I leave my witch hat at home so that other kids will invite me to their birthday parties."
We have social stories about going to the potty, using gentle hands, and what to say when we meet someone:
"It's fun to make new friends.
When I meet someone, I say, 'Hi, my name is Billy.'
If I, instead, recite the entire plot of Alvin and the Chipmunks, I should at least announce, 'Spoiler alert,' in case they haven't seen it."
I used to care a lot more about blending in with the herd. I used to embarrass easily. But one thing that loving Billy has taught me is that fitting in is over-rated. If you spend all your time fitting in, you might miss out on how fun it is to dance in bowling shoes at the bowling alley ... or in the dining room at Sonny's Barbecue ... or for the fish at Petsmart. You might never get to wear the sushi lady's hat, if you don't ask.
Granted, spontaneous dancing in public places is cute when they're 3 or 4. It might be sort of unsettling if he's still bustin' a move in restaurants when he's 30. It might make dating a bit of a challenge.
Or maybe it won't. Maybe he'll find the perfect girl for him, and they'll just dance up a storm wherever they go. I'd love to think so.
At the end of Woolbur, the little sheep is told in no uncertain terms by his parents that he has to act like all the other sheep, to stay with the herd. Woolbur approaches solving this problem a little differently (maybe he's autistic?) and teaches the herd to be like him.
It's only taken 347 consecutive times of listening to this story, but maybe I've finally learned something from Woolbur. I'll take a page from his book and buy all the other kids in Billy's class matching witch hats.
Take it Easy on The Sheep
Wednesday September 08 2010 01:11:40 pm
Big Daddy
I'm getting there
Wednesday September 08 2010 03:06:21 pm
From Amanda Broadfoot
The Dancing never stops!
Wednesday September 08 2010 04:58:23 pm
bbsmum
Dancing like everyone is watching
Friday September 10 2010 10:37:40 am
Lynn
Woolbur
Friday September 10 2010 01:40:13 pm
Maura
Dancing!
Saturday September 11 2010 03:45:43 pm
From Amanda Broadfoot
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