Red Lobster

Adam had his psych eval today. He did well despite missing lunch and thankfully catching a car nap on the way there. The evaluator said she doesn't know for sure yet if he is ASD, but from her observations she is leaning that way.

Anyway, I had promised a cheeseburger to Adam when we left the house, and I made good. We went to McDonald's and had some cheeseburgers and shared Hi-C. He insisted on staying to play so I went ahead and caved in. I mean, at home it's gotten to the point where he tries to grab the computer mouse from me, he's so intent on playing a game. Climbing in the play area would be good for him!

There were a couple of little boys, a few years younger than him. They were throwing their Happy Meal toys up the slides and enjoying making a terrible racket. Adam watched them the entire time he was eating his cheeseburger. When he finished, he went and stood just a foot or so behind them, watching them throw the toys up. He never tried to jump in their game or ask for a turn, but he was showing interest in other kids. Kids he didn't know, even. After a little while, the boys ran around to the platforms at the other end. I guess Adam didn't see them go; after a few seconds he peered up one of the slides and yelled "You down there?" He actually initiated conversation with KIDS! Last summer he had gotten to where he'd go up and tell a random adult something that he was doing, but he generally ignores other kids, even if he knows them. I was so stunned I wanted to cry!

And an amusing story: When we were leaving the psych office, Adam was telling me again that he was hungry. I asked what he wanted to eat. He told me Red Lobster! There is a Red Lobster just across the street from the office, so I figure he saw the sign (he does read) when we got their earlier. But we don't watch tv so I'm not sure where he made the association between Red Lobster and food! Then after we had our cheeseburgers and ran an errand, we were going to go by my mom's house. I asked Adam where we were going, and he told me Red Lobster. Seriously, I'd love to jump inside his head sometime..