Autism Goes to School by Sharon A. Mitchell

Author:Sharon A. Mitchell [Mitchell, Dr. Sharon A,]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Indie Author Project

Chapter 7

The last possible dregs of the malted milkshake slurped into the straw. Manny stared into his drink. He used his fingers to swirl the straw into the remaining bubbles, then brought the straw to his mouth to lick the final drips.

Maria and Tomas braced. Now what? It had been a nice outing so far, but how would they get their son out of the bakery without a scene. The place was filling up with people.

Manny looked around the place. His gaze didn’t linger on the other customers, but flitted from object to object. His head turned faster as he took in the bustle and confusion around him. He began to rock. A low sound started in his throat and his hands rose from his sides to wave in the air.

Tomas and Maria froze, knowing what was coming, but helpless to stop it in this room full of strangers. Manny’s low keening rose in pitch and volume becoming audible to everyone in the room.

Mel appeared at their table, kneeling on the floor beside Manny. She put a device on the table in front of him and rubbed her finger over the glass surface. The picture of the bakery that appeared snagged Manny’s attention. Although he continued to rock, the noises stopped.

Quietly she spoke. “See, this is the bakery. You’re at a table just like this one. Here’s the way it goes.” She looked up at Maria and smiled, then touched the right side of the screen. A view from the door appeared. “You come in the bakery. Then you walk up to the counter. You place your order.” With each sentence, another picture showed on the screen, illustrating her words. “Then you sit at your table. Someone brings you something to eat or something to drink. You sit quietly and eat nicely. Then, when you are all finished, it’s time to go. You get off your chair and walk out the door with your mom or dad. You can wave good-bye to Ellie. You will come back another time.”

Manny watched the whole thing intently. By the time it was over, the rocking had ceased. The screen went blank and Manny got down from his chair. He held out his hand to his dad, and then walked to the door. Outside, he stood beside his astonished father, while his mama talked to the woman, the woman who had saved them.

Maria asked her, “What did you do?”

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