Kai has discovered the speedometer.
My intrepid wife is usually the one who drives our son to his various therapies, karate class, swim lesson, and doctor visits. The drive from his swim lesson to karate class is particularly tough because the time in between is short. Since Kai always has anxiety about being late, this drive can bring out the worst of his backseat driving.
This week was not any different. Fearing that he would be late to karate, Kai implored Mom to drive faster. My wife pointed out the speed limit sign and told Kai that she could not go faster because you have to obey the speed limit rules.
Now, my son is a stickler for rules. I think that many kids with autism see things in black and white, which, when it comes to sticking to the rules, is generally a good thing. He knows that he will be held to the rules, and expects others to as well. He sometimes will talk about another child at school who did not obey a rule and received a time out. At home, if I raise my voice, he will tell me that I am breaking the rule about not shouting.
So, on this occasion in the car, he seemed satisfied with having to obey the speed limit and was quiet for the rest of the drive to karate class.
On the way home, while driving along the same road as before, Kai spoke up. “Mom, you’re going too fast. The speed limit is 35 and you are going 40.” Uh, oh.
Busted.
We want our son to obey rules. So, how do we explain about speed limits?
“Well, I know the sign says the limit is 55, but that means that you can go 60.” “I know you are supposed to obey all rules, but it is okay to not obey this one.”
Nah, I’m even having trouble with that one.
So, it looks like we will be driving a little slower from now on. I guess I will have to get more comfortable in the right lane of the interstate highways..
But, what I want to know is, how can I put a dimmer on the speedometer?
I laughed out loud when I read this. Well, at least you won't be ticketed for a while.
ReplyDeleteOh yes, totally busted! This made me smile. Visiting from Blog Gems.
ReplyDeleteHA! Yes-you are totally busted. What I have done is place something like an envelope(from the mail)on the ledge over the speedometer area..so I can see and they can not. So far it has worked. :) We are a houseful of rule followers..sometimes I feel like a rebel mom!
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting and commenting!
ReplyDeleteKathleen, that is an interesting suggestion. I will have to try it. Hah, sometimes you have to be a rebel! :)
lol this has made me smile : ) Thank you for sharing it, and yes, at least you wont have to worry about tickets for a good long while. : )
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Thank you for visiting and commenting!
ReplyDeleteHa! My 4 year old son with Autism is obsessed with the speedometer. He doesn't get the speed limit signs yet so we are safe there, but he always compares how fast I drive to how fast my husband drives, especially when they are running late to Karate. See, you aren't the only one running late to Karate!
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Sounds like your son is a lot like mine! Thanks for visiting and commenting!
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