Shopping

Since beginning the Zoloft Jacob has seemed more aware of the things around him and interested in a more appropriate way. Recently he has learned there are other itemsthat are not food to be found when shopping. Before taking Jacob shopping was only a challenge because he would get bored and act out by knocking over items or making noise. Lately this has been somewhat better, the noises are happy noises because he realizes there are toys and books and movies in some of the stores. On a recent trip to Walmart we discovered the beloved Buzz Lightyear action figure. Now his providers want me to have his vision evaluated for depth perception and distance but let me say he honed in on that Buzz Lightyear from two aisles over and then promptly grabbed my hand and gestured that I bring him in that direction. He pointed to it. I said "Do you want to go see Buzz?" he replied "yeah". Noticing Buzz was on sale for $20 less than all the other stores I asked, "Would you like to look at Buzz?" Another "yeah" I said "Would you like to take Buzz home?" I got an immediate "YUP" combined with the sign for please. Yesterday we went to a local discount store to look at Christmas decorations. I passed by a table full of items and Jacob dragged me toward the table. (He was in his wheelchair and he still dragged me) At the end of the table stacked on the floor were Christmas trains. (Jacob had previously broken our Christmas train) He grabbed the four foot by two foot box and placed it on his lap and said "I go, choo choo". From the glint in his eyes I could tell, "I go choo choo" really means, "I go home with choo choo" and "you're all done shopping because I really want to go home and play with this." Thankfully the train was ridiculously inexpensive. Other requested items were denied. My boy is fast becoming a shopaholic. I can see that our outings will be limited and there will be tantrums ahead as not everything can "I go" with us. While this all brings new challenges I am thrilled that he is understanding he has the power to request with words rather than tantrums and seems more aware of the process of shopping. He has also been handy in helping to load items into the shopping cart while grocery shopping. Its cumbersome to take him and be slowed down but we have always felt bringing him often helps him access the community and builds life skills. Hopefully we have not created a shopaholic of kleptomaniac in the process :)