Future Chicago Blackhawk?

First Step...Wear a Hockey Helmet!

In just a few short days our little man will be 4!  Still trying to process all of that but for now we would like him to try out a few sport classes at the park district.  Landon has the chance to take a hockey skating lessons at the local ice rink with accommodations (my guess would be an aide).  It is my goal that he tries new things regardless of his Autism.  He has just as much right as any other 4 year old to get out there and blend in with this crazy world.  He LOVES the hawks and he loves to play hockey in the basement so I thought for his 4th birthday we would buy him a hockey helmet and a pair of used ice skates.  The first step to make this all happen was to take Landon to the ice rink to purchase and try on hockey helmets.  Now knowing my son well I picked an evening where he was having a great day!  Ben and Landon headed over by themselves after dinner to see how this would go.  Of course as soon as Landon walked into the store he went straight for the hockey sticks.  As Ben and the young gentlemen at the store attempted to try on helmets Landon was NOT having it.  He wanted no part of it.  Ben said that the young kid who helped him was so patient and tried to help Landon out but Landon cried and would not be apart of it.  So Ben purchased a helmet that he figured would fit Landon and made sure he knew the return policy before walking out.  Of course when it was time to leave Landon did not want to go so he started to have a meltdown.  When they got into the car Ben asked if he wanted to wear his helmet and wouldn't you know someone said YES!

                                 My son, the kid who has to do things on his own terms!

 

As soon as he got home he had me put the helmet back on and then asked for "skates, put on skates!"  So our next field trip to the ice arena will be for ice skates.  This will be a process and I know that their will be tears.  Landon does get the opportunity to skate on the United Center Ice in a few weeks with Ben.  Hopefully he won't freak out to bad and give it a try!  I of course will sign him up for weekly lessons and take him regardless of his meltdowns.  He may not be a fan of new things but he usually gets to liking them after a few helpful tries.  Fingers Crossed for out little man!