And.... Repeat

The first time Conor addressed me directly, it was breathtaking.  Overwhelming.  Mind blowing, mind boggling, mind bending. (Like The Matrix. It was like, WOW. WHOA. There's an alternate universe?)

I guess he started this about eight or nine months ago.

Mom?! And an appropriate question would follow.


Mom?!  When can Conor go to the mall?


Mom?!  What time will Aidan be home?


Mom?! Where will Conor go to dinner tonight?


It seemed so normal.  Typical, even. A breakthrough! It happened during art therapy, something must have clicked. It's working!!  He wants to get my attention and talk to me. Just me! How exciting! (Insert squeals of happiness and hand clasping here.)


After a day or two, however, I realized that this, too, would become a double-edge sword. (As so many things in this autism can be. Bittersweet personified.)

So awesome that he addresses me directly.  And he maintained this skill!  (So many skills are fleeting, coming and going with no clear explanation why they don't stick despite all our hard work.)

But then...

Then came the perseverations.  Oh, he's always been obsessive.  (Perseverations are obsessions in autism-speak. Don't ask.)  It's been a huge challenge and continues to get in the way of his progress. It can lead to upset and (sharp intake of breath) tantrums.

Want a little sample?  Read aloud all the sentences below, in a clear, insistent voice, have a tantrum when you don't get what you want, and then check out the video at the end. (I love Stewie.)

And that's just a sample. A little taste. An amuse-bouche, if you will.

Mom?!   When will Conor go to the Hultings and download a video on the computer?

Mom?!   When will Conor go to the Hultings and make a Mii named Ruth on the Wii?

Mom?!  On December 31st, Conor will go to the Hultings??

Mom?!   When will Conor go to the Hultings and download a video on the computer?

Mom?!   When will Conor go to the Hultings and make a Mii named Ruth on the Wii?

Mom?!  On December 31st, Conor will go to the Hultings?

Mom?!   When will Conor go to the Hultings and download a video on the computer?

Mom?!   When will Conor go to the Hultings and make a Mii named Ruth on the Wii?

Mom?!  On December 31st, Conor will go to the Hultings?

Mom?!   When will Conor go to the Hultings and download a video on the computer?

Mom?!   When will Conor go to the Hultings and make a Mii named Ruth on the Wii?

Mom?!  On December 31st, Conor will go to the Hultings?

Mom?!   When will Conor go to the Hultings and download a video on the computer?

Mom?!   When will Conor go to the Hultings and make a Mii named Ruth on the Wii?

Mom?!  On December 31st, Conor will go to the Hultings?

Mom?!   When will Conor go to the Hultings and download a video on the computer?

Mom?!   When will Conor go to the Hultings and make a Mii named Ruth on the Wii?

Mom?!  On December 31st, Conor will go to the Hultings?

Mom?!   When will Conor go to the Hultings and download a video on the computer?

Mom?!   When will Conor go to the Hultings and make a Mii named Ruth on the Wii?

Mom?!  On December 31st, Conor will go to the Hultings?

Mom?!   When will Conor go to the Hultings and download a video on the computer?

Mom?!   When will Conor go to the Hultings and make a Mii named Ruth on the Wii?

Mom?!  On December 31st, Conor will go to the Hultings?

Mom?!   When will Conor go to the Hultings and download a video on the computer?

Mom?!   When will Conor go to the Hultings and make a Mii named Ruth on the Wii?

Mom?!   On December 31st, Conor will go to the Hultings?

Mom?!  When will Conor go to the Hultings and download a video on the computer?

Mom?!   When will Conor go to the Hultings and make a Mii named Ruth on the Wii?

Mom?!   On December 31st, Conor will go to the Hultings?

Mom?!   When will Conor go to the Hultings and download a video on the computer?

Mom?!   When will Conor go to the Hultings and make a Mii named Ruth on the Wii?

Mom?!   On December 31st, Conor will go to the Hultings?

Mom?!   When will Conor go to the Hultings and download a video on the computer?

Mom?!   When will Conor go to the Hultings and make a Mii named Ruth on the Wii?

Mom?!  On December 31st, Conor will go to the Hultings?

Mom?!   When will Conor go to the Hultings and download a video on the computer?

Mom?!   When will Conor go to the Hultings and make a Mii named Ruth on the Wii?

Mom?!   On December 31st, Conor will go to the Hultings?

Mom?!   When will Conor go to the Hultings and download a video on the computer?

Mom?!   When will Conor go to the Hultings and make a Mii named Ruth on the Wii?

Mom?!   On December 31st, Conor will go to the Hultings?

Mom?!  When will Conor go to the Hultings and download a video on the computer?

Mom?!   When will Conor go to the Hultings and make a Mii named Ruth on the Wii?

Mom?!   On December 31st, Conor will go to the Hultings?

Mom?!   When will Conor go to the Hultings and download a video on the computer?

Mom?!  When will Conor go to the Hultings and make a Mii named Ruth on the Wii?

Mom?!  On December 31st, Conor will go to the Hultings?

Sorry for all the Hulu crap.  It was the best quality.