Chew Chew!

I've been eyeing this train for some time.  It comes apart to be two plates, a bowl, a cup, a fork, and a spoon.  And it's a train.  This would OBVIOUSLY be the perfect gift for Brian, right?

I ended up buying it last week and was pumped to give it to Brian.  His eyes lit up and he excitedly ripped into the box.


Having something he loves so much at dinner time will make him want to try new foods.  It will make dinner time a time that he'll want to sit and enjoy.  Not stuff his cheeks then run.  It even says it on the box: "Enjoy Meals, Make Meals Fun, Reduce Stress at the Table, Encourages Interaction at the Table."

I wonder if they had autistic children in mind when they wrote that.  The second I started to take the train apart Brian's whole face scrunched up.  I'm sure he had that same squeamish feeling I have when I see a surgery on TV.  I decided we'd serve one of his favorite meals, hot dogs and french fries, to ease him into it.  It didn't slow down eating.  If anything, it sped it up because he wanted to get the train back together.

When he finished his dinner in a record thirty seconds, he refused to put the plate and cup into the sink.  He wanted it back together and trains do not belong with the dirty dishes.  I let go of that fight, knowing I'd just wash it after he went to sleep.

Generalization is not a skill Brian possesses just yet.  And I knew that.  But one can hope for an easy fix, right?  At least he has a new train out of the deal.  He's a happy camper.