I'm not sure how true this is of other kids with autism but Curt has a very hard time with rainy days. His mood often matches the weather even before he looks out the window in the morning. Rainy, cloudy days can result in a sluggish, unmotivated little guy who seems unable to summon the gusto to take on the world. Rainy Mondays, after a weekend of freedom, are especially tough.

Thankfully, today was beautiful

To the left is a picture Caron took while he was at school recess and below is a video Jamie took from swimming as Curt audibly practiced his extended stroke.

For about the past 3 years, Curtis has been taking swimming lessons through the Center for Therapeutic Recreation, sponsored by Easter Seals, which develops programs for children with autism and other disabilities.  When he first started swimming, it took Laura and I all we could do just to get him in his “swimming shorts” (god forbid you call it a bathing suit because those are for girls) and into the pool.  Curtis would fight us all the way from the living room until the moment his swim coach inevitably peeled him off whichever one of us he clung to for dear life.
To this day, Curtis still tries to get out of swimming lessons just about every week, though it is much less of a battle than previous years.
We still have to use the locker that is one number higher than the previous week, a routine he has stuck to since he began swimming. It nearly went terribly wrong this week, as someone was already using locker 48, but after assuring Curtis that this was not a big deal, he chose to use locker 47 for a second time. Although we may seem a little cruel for having him go week after week I assure you as soon as he actually hit the water he is all smiles. 
When he first started swimming lesson, Curtis couldn’t swim much at all.  He had to wear a float around his waist and use a pool noodle. He was terrified to swim on his back because he was afraid he would hit his head at the end of the pool, which he had done once before and it's difficult to convince him it won't happen again.  I think all of us have said before on this website that we have all spent a fair amount of time worrying about Curtis’ physical safety which obviously extends to water. A year ago, Laura was happy that they would have at least 30 seconds to save him should he get into the water alone because at that point he could tread water for about that length of time before going underwater.  It has always been a goal in the back of my mind for him to be able to swim across the pool without assistance.  Last week, I sat on the side watching him swerve and circle his way almost across the pool before finally grabbing the sideline. 
I asked, “Curtis what in the world are you doing?” knowing he would have made it across had he just gone in a straight line.  “Drawing roads!” was his response. 
Of course Curtis had found a new way to do his favorite activity.
I told him after swimming that if he went in a straight line he would have made it across the pool.  He seemed a little surprised by this information.  This week, Curtis got into the pool, threw a noodle to his swim instructor and took off.  He made across the pool.  And back. And back across again.  All of the swim instructors cheered and Curtis could not have been happier asking if I taped it each lap that he did.  I am so happy to report that Curtis now stands a good chance in the open water for at least 50 yards.  Hallelujah!  Another goal set for Curtis and another goal exceeded.

Jamie, 1:1 Home Support