Let the games begin

[spinbaby]

The players:
Player #1: Tired grandma who’s babysitting this weekend
Player #2: Energetic 8-year-old boy with autism and minimal language skills

The playing field: A large house in a large yard. The house has five possible exits, all of which can be operated by Player #2. The large yard is soggy and muddy. It’s raining.

Objectives: Player #1 attempts to keep Player #2 clean and dry until school starts while feeding him a nutritious breakfast. Player #2 attempts to go out to play in the mud while consuming only chocolate milk for breakfast.

Time limit: Two hours until school starts.

[Scrivener7]

1. Your reconnaissance is flawless. Your goal is clear. You can do it!

When I worked with minimally-verbal autistic kids, my battle pack was heavy on bubbles and mini M&Ms.

[spinbaby]

3. I think we played to a draw

He arrived at school having had chocolate milk and bacon for breakfast and with wet feet.

[Scrivener7]

4. Lol! But you got the bacon in, and he could have been wet head-to-toe!

Call it a victory.

I love kids with autism. You always know where you stand with them, and in 20 years though I got lots of stubbornness from them, I never experienced malice from a single one of them.

[spinbaby]

5. It's exhausting and rewarding

This kid never seems to stop moving, so managing him takes a lot of physical energy. But when he actually manages to use language in a meaningful way, it’s high fives and celebrations.

[Duncanpup]

2. Good luck