Rowan's First Field Trip

Rowan started at a preschool that caters to youngsters with autism earlier this month. He's been on the waiting list for this school since he was 18 months old. It's a great program that in addition to regular preschool activities they offer; ABA, feeding therapy, assistance with potty training, pretty much you name it, they've got it. Furthermore, it's consistent, the school goes 9:00-2:00 every weekday. 

Since it is a great (free of charge) program with quite the waiting list they require a few things;
-Parents need to attend classes held once a month.
-Parents volunteer 1-3 hours per week.
-Parents need to come to field trips (held once a month). 
-Children need to have at least 80% attendance.

Well, this week was the first field trip of the year. We went to a duck pond to feed the ducks and play at the park. Sometimes it can be hard to take autistic children out and about. These field trips also allow the parents to get to know each other (it can be very isolating at times). 

It was super cute and all planned out. The teachers brought a lunch sack filled with duck feed for each child.  Rowan had so much fun tossing food to the ducks. Some children couldn't stand the rough texture of the food and just dumped it on the ground. When Rowan ran out of his feed he went to the piles of food, scooped it up and put it into his bag. Then he'd resume feeding the duckies. 

After the food was all gone, the ducks swam away. Most children went off to find the playground. Rowan stayed put. You see, he had found a long, slim stick and began "fishing" in the pond. He'd wade a little into the pond, with his "fish pole" in the water for a minute looking for smaller sticks. Rowan would grab the sticks, come ashore and proudly declare "Mom! I got a fish! Fishing?" I would tell him he could go back to fishing. This little game kept him occupied for 15 or so minutes. 

Finally, we went in search of the playground where he had a ton of fun playing with his friends. He also found acorns and crabapples and gathered them up. Right now he's on my lap saying "Mom. Mom. Rowan swing and, and apple tree! It SO fun!" I think it's safe to say he enjoyed himself. 

I can't wait for the next field trip! It's on Halloween to a pumpkin patch.