Preschool Field Trip to the Zoo

I call this blog The Autism Rollercoaster because there are good days and bad days and I swear my kids are more autistic some days than others.

J's school field trip to the zoo was on Tuesday.  Apparently the second Tuesday of each month is free admission for people with disabilities.  So....guess when all of the schools for people with disabilities choose to go to the zoo?  It was somewhat of a madhouse but it had its advantages and disadvantages.  A big advantage was that if your kiddo was having a meltdown no one even blinked because they had all been there and understood.  A disadvantage was that the crowds were a little more unruly and with that many people with varying issues, you pretty much guaranteed that someone in the crowd would have sensory issues that would set off your kiddo. 

J couldn't handle it at all if there were too many people at an exhibit so we would leave and find somewhere quieter.  He had moments where he got interested in the animals and even touched some of the sea stars and small aquatic animals in the "touching" area.  Other times he was very autistic.  At the polar bears there were two huge polar bears playing in the water.  Off to the side on the wall was an example of one of the balls that they give the polar bears to show how tough they have to be.  J COMPLETELY ignored the polar bears and spent 15 minutes obsessively spinning the ball on the wall.
Of course towards the end J wasn't looking where he was going and ran into an elderly lady in a scooter.  He was fine but fell apart because he was tired.  Then it started POURING down rain.  This resulted in me carrying our heavy bag and him up 3 huge flights of stairs.  I finally got him to walk up to the bus.  He fell asleep the last 10 minutes of the ride.  We got home, changed into warm dry clothes and then snuggled in my bed to watch a movie.  It was a long and exhausting day but we made it through it.  My muscles are very sore from all of the walking and carrying but it is worth it because I will do anything for either of my little guys.