Hawks Home Opener

Last Tuesday was the Chicago Blackhawks Home Opener! I am not sure who was more excited myself or Landon. I really talked up the big game and was hoping he would have been excited about going back to the United Center as I was! Unfortunately it did not turn out that way. Landon has a fear of fireworks and he has associated ALL hockey games with the remembrance of the Wolves Game. He refused to enter the arena! We had to bribe him with his "bink" and force him to sit just for a little bit. Our little guy was just not having it, he wanted out in the worst way. Of course I was crushed and felt terrible. We allowed him to hang out in the concourse during the first 2 periods. After period two we left to go home. Quinn had a blast and enjoyed all of the lights and sounds the Hawks game had to offer.

On our way home I truly contemplated was Landon's fear part of his Autism or was it just a typical toddler fear. As we drove home we listened to the game and low and behold the Hawks score and I heard a little voice in the back seat yell "GOAL!" and start to dance in his car seat. Something deep down inside of me made me think this kid loves hockey, we need to keep taking him back.

Ben and I both talked to others about the experience and learned that Landon's fear was a normal toddler fear. Since he was not afraid of the crowds or did not seem uncomfortable with all the people around we were encouraged to bring Landon back to a Hawks game to get him to see that there are NO FIREWORKS inside the arena.

Our ABA therapist offered some great suggestions in which we are going to try. Nana and Popo went to the game this past weekend and took LOTS of pictures so we can make a Social Story to read to Landon before the next game. We watched the Hawks game on Sunday night (GO HAWKS!! BEAT those WINGS!!!!) and showed him that there are NO FIREWORKS!

The next game that Landon will attend he will go solo with Nana in Popo who will encourage him enter the arena and sit with them. This experience will get better for him as soon as he learns to de-sensitize the surroundings himself.