Session 2

On our way to Brain Balance, I put the music on. I remind Sam that there's no more itouch allowed in the car and he doesn't care. I ask about his day and he tells me that he's sitting at a new table with a quiet boy, let’s call him Steven, that I've had my eye on since the first day of school. Steven is shy and isn't a jock so he could be a good match for Sam. But anytime I've suggested a play date for them, Sam says no with vigor.  As the song comes to an end Sam tells me that Steven asked him to play Four Square at recess.  Not surprisingly Sam is not a Four Squarer. He does laps during recess - great because he's being active; not so great because he does them alone. Shock of shocks, Sam said yes and played it for the first time ever today. He tells me it was easy but that he got bored and told Steven he'd had enough and went off to do something else. Casually I ask if I should schedule a play date for them and hold my breath while I wait for the answer. Sure, he says. Hmmm. Interesting. 

We park and rush upstairs to his second appointment. Shoes off. Jacket on the chair. Back he goes.

I've promised we will stop at Sweet Orange on the way home. It’s my favorite frozen yogurt place. Been there? Thin Mint makes it worth the drive.  Sam likes it too because they have Fruity Pebbles.

As we walk by Red Mango on the way to the car, Sam says Let’s go in here.

Nope, we’re going to Sweet Orange.

He laughs. I got confused.

That’s ok.

They’re both fruits. And there’s Strawberry Fields. It’s a fruit too. Laughing.

Sam, you’re right. I never noticed that before.

But what about Cups? They don’t do a fruit. They’re the only ones that don’t copy.

You are so right. And now it’s me laughing.

Maybe this doesn’t sound like the best conversation to you. But it’s a monumental one for us. Sam usually walks around with his head in the clouds; he doesn’t notice where he is; he doesn’t make connections; he doesn’t have conversations that are this long. And he just seems so happy.  Hmmm. Is it possible that it’s happening already?