Mack: Eat right. Adam: My name's not Wright.

I just watched this week's episode of Grey's Anatomy. I noticed the "Autism Speaks" poster on the wall. Kudos to the producers and writers, and ABC.

Adam had a good day today. It's the little things...

One common trait of autism is obsessions. One of Adam's obsessions is the Titanic. He can tell you just about everything there is to know about it. 

My uncle was recently diagnosed with cancer, and my mom and sister just came back from visiting him. He remembered my telling him this about Adam and he sent a book about the Titanic with my mom for Adam. This makes me both happy and sad. 

This was a good day for the BITE kids, as well as Adam. Let's hope this trend continues.

It's time to get serious about the book I promised myself I wouldn't give up on writing, and that means getting it together on this blog, as well.

Today was a pretty quiet day. Only one of the BITE kids came to school, and he left early for a doctor's appointment. Adam's only issue was trying to escape out the door of the CDC room. We had a talk about that.

I have been  working in the BITE (Behavior Intervention Training Elementary)  room at Adam's school since early November. This arrangement obviously has its pros and cons. On one hand, I am now aware of pretty much everything he does. On the other hand, I am now aware of pretty much everything he does. Some days, as with any challenge, are better than others. Today was one of those days that the BITE kids were better than Adam. He is so smart, and as a result, is a master manipulator, but this gives him an advantage over some of the other kids. He is given more choices, should he choose not to abuse the privilege. Because of today's meltdown, we are attempting a new plan... He was given the homework assignment of compiling his own list of rewards... he will be able to choose, within limits,  of what he can earn. He can't go shopping or out for coffee, but a  few extra minutes of computer time can go a long way.

Adam: Mack is the one who makes them stink. I am the one who makes them loud.

Adam: I saw a ferry.... That's a ferry BOAT, not the mythical creature... Just thought Mack should know.

Me: Did you take a shower? Adam: YES! Me: What did you do with your dirty underwear? Adam: Oh... uh, I didn't take a shower.

Adam: Caution, do not come in here! This is the area where I've been farting.

Adam: I can see the future. It's not a very good future. I'll be a fat mechanic.

Adam: 4 weeks?! It didn't seem like 4 weeks, it seemed like a month.

Adam: You're obviously in a bad mood. Me: Yes, I am. Adam: You don't have to state it, I already know.

Me: Adam, STOP! Adam: Don't judge me.

Me, after realizing he never took his backpack out of the van yesterday: I hope you didn't have any homework. Adam: I don't know why you're still hung up on that.

Adam: You hate me. Me: Yes, I do. Adam: You don't have to say it out loud.

Me: You need to clean up after yourself. Adam: I'll start when I'm 16. Me: If you don't start now, you won't make it to 16.

Me: What are you doing? Adam: Apparently, wasting time.

Adam: 5 SECOND RULE! Ok, I know it's been updated to 3 seconds. It's a 2 second difference.

Adam: I hate you. Me: Good. That means I'm doing my job. Adam: No, it means you're fired. Me: Does that mean you're moving out tonight?

Adam: Will you turn on the big light? Me: Why can't you? Adam: I can't reach it. Me: You just need to learn to be more... Adam: Tall? Me: Well, I was thinking... creative... innovative... resourceful... but yeah, that works.

Me: An autistic girl is competing for Miss America. Do you know what that means? Autistic people can be anything they want to be. You, too, could be Miss America. Adam: That would be stupid.

Me: You need to take a bath tonight. Adam: WHY?? I took one a few days ago!