Go Ninja Go

Pervasive Parenting

By Kodey Toney

Go Ninja Go

Kruz is a huge fan of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. That's why when we heard about the live action show coming to this area we snatched up tickets. The show was held Friday night, and though Konner is not a big fan of the turtles we went as a family.

I wasn't sure if he would actually like the show. These things are hit and miss with him these days. It used to be too loud, too hot, too many lights, etc. Because we have been to several events throughout the years we have groomed him to the sensory issues.

This doesn't mean that he doesn't still have problems. It just means the issues are fewer and farther between.

You see, as I've said many times in the past, you can't cure autism. What you are actually doing is helping people on the spectrum learn to tolerate the issues that come along with autism. You have to help them understand that there will always be things to bother them. They will have loud noises, strange smells, and flashing lights. The only way to help lessen those things is to expose them to these situations. You will have to ease them in at first, and build up a tolerance.

On the way to the show I explained to Konner that we would probably have to wait in a line for a while. I told him it would be loud and there would be lots of lights and people.

The only real problem we had was that when we arrived nature called. There was a long line and people were waiting outside in the heat for several minutes. There was no way they were letting us cut through the line to take Konner to the bathroom. So instead we stood in line with Konner telling us loudly that he had to pee really bad, he couldn’t hold it much longer, and that he was going to get a bladder infection and not be able to pee ever again if we didn’t go “RIGHT NOW!” This caused a little frustration on my part, but once we made our way inside the doors He and Jen sprinted to the bathroom while Kruz and I got the tickets. 

So, as we sat there watching Kruz enjoy the stunts, fighting, and silly banter, I kept an eye on Konner. I was watching for any sign to see if he was going to get upset. I already had a plan in case he started go into meltdown mode.

However, the strangest thing happened. You see, if this had been a Thomas the Tank Engine event then Konner would have been enthralled. What I didn't expect was for Konner to get so into the Ninja Turtles. He has never shown much of an interest when we watch it at home. He doesn’t play with the action figures with Kruz or play the video games.

He was though. He paid attention to every word. He would repeat the parts they said to repeat, make the hand gestures, and answer questions as they were asked.

I never expected him to pay attention that closely. I expected him to sit there for a few minutes, get bored or frustrated, and then start kicking the chair in front of him, or around him, or behind him. 

It just goes to show that you can't predict everything. Konner surprises me just about every day. Sometimes bad and sometimes good. There is no doubt though that he teaches me something new each day, and he makes life interesting.