Lilly’s preschool had the three year old classes put on a holiday show for the parents this year. It was so cute I can not even stand it. Obviously though, I had a LOT of concern over how this would go. All the 3′s classes would be together in a room with about 300 parents standing across from them staring, waving, laughing, etc… an overwhelming experience for any kid – let a lone one with social anxiety and sensory aversions. I was very nervous about how Lilly would do.
But as I am learning to expect with Lilly lately, she far exceeded my expectations. There were definitely moments that I could tell she was on the brink of losing it, but her teacher had her strategically placed right in front of her and was on it before I could even say “uh oh here we go…”. Once when the little boy next to Lilly knocked into her as he was dancing and Lilly got really upset, she gave Lilly a job to do when she started breaking down (collecting bells from the other kids). And a few times I saw her just walk up to Lilly and quietly have her look at her in the eyes and whisper something to her to calm her. Again I have to say it does not take much to manage Lilly when things start going badly for her – but having someone who understands what to do and when, makes ALL the difference in Lilly’s success in these situations. I was so amazed that Lilly was able to stay up there the entire time and then leave happily with her class when it was over. Even though Matt and I were still there in the gym. I thought for sure she would have wanted to come to us instead of go back to her classroom. There was a little girl who cried the whole time, and while I felt so bad for her parents, I would be lying if I said it was not pretty awesome to let someone ELSE be that family for a change!!
This amazing performance was the first in a string of really awesome reactions to situations that have been stressful in the past for Lilly. We have really had a major breakthrough with her over the last 8 weeks or so and I am just overjoyed about it. Family who had not seen her for awhile and saw her over the holidays think Matt and I are crazy for worrying about her or for saying she has Autism. And seriously – that is just fine with us. Think we are crazy all you want – we are GLOWING to have people thinking that. Its a true testament to how far we have come, and how right we were to do all the things we have done to help her.
Lilly and her class walking in - that is her teacher there right in front of her. Her teacher is such a gift to us!
Clapping and singing along 
She was pretty serious about it all - but she got it done and she was proud of herself afterwards!
hopping up and down to the reindeer hokey pokey
