A Beautiful Day at the Duck Pond

"Something beautiful happened yesterday. We stick to the allotment or the forest as much as possible to keep Theo regulated.

Crowds, noise and the unknown overstimulate and dysregulate him. We went to visit Thornbridge Estate, knowing we would have a few meltdowns, as we usually do on day trips. We got to the duck pond and didn’t make it any further for the entire two hours.

Theo started lining up the ducks in his little corner. He worked really hard and was focussed and engrossed. Some kids naturally tried to knock them down, so we redirected them from the little corner, to the entirety of the rest of the pond.

Usually, we are met with hostility, this time the parents lead with kindness and used the rest of the 95% of the pond. Theo then asked them if they wanted to knock them all down with him and play together, after he’d admired his hard work for a few minutes. Next thing, all the kids in the pond are lining up ducks. The kids all worked together, previously in small groups, now as one big group, to help link the ducks around the ENTIRE pond. And I mean the entire pond, with absolutely no gap. Two hours later, and very naturally, a handful of knock backs, they persevered and succeeded.

The coming together, with kindness and understanding was both beautiful and unexpected This is why I will always advocate for autism understanding. Instead of a very overwhelming day, Theo got to have fun and enjoy his surroundings like everybody else.

We hope next time we get to explore further. His special interest is Lego and birds and I know you have both of these!! It’s a 2 hour round trip but we can’t wait to come again!!! It’s a wonderful place " - Vicky Hutchins