Bedtime stories

Here's a glimpse into my life with an almost 5-year-old son with autism. Instead of asking for a bedtime story, as a "typical" child might, this is the sight that greeted me when I came into his room tonight.



He wanted me to read these 6 specific books, in the exact order he had laid them out. He handed me the first book, made sure that I read the title of the book before I opened it, I held it with two hands, and I turned each page completely before beginning to read the next. He listened closely as I read, making sure I didn't miss even one word (did I mention he had all of these books memorized within a week of getting them?), and pointing out the missing words if I skipped them. As I finished each book, he put it carefully back in its place in the lineup, taking a moment to make sure all the edges were as parallel with the other books' edges as the bumpy mattress top allowed. When all had been read, he stacked them up, in order, put them away, and proceeded with the next step in his night time routine. Sometimes I feel like Archie is being patient with me, trying to teach me to see things the way he sees them. And sometimes -- even for a fleeting moment -- I can see it. And it's beautiful.