Today – like many days – leaves me somewhat tired at its ending. As I enter the house, I am greeted by the over-the-top enthusiasm of our 3-year-old labradoodle, and the shout-out hello of my wonderful boy. I unload my bags, lap-top, and other stuff, prepared to set myself into a whirlwind of action and efficiency. The tasks are usually predictable: make dinner, house tidy, check the mail, and maybe work on some Social Studies (or?) with my boy, walk the dog, dishes, bathtime, and then…
“Where are you, buddy?” 
“In my room!” he answers back.
I can tell my entrance has interrupted his task. There is a bit of that friendly-but-let-me-be tone in his voice, and I take the hint.
I had an image, a plan, of what we would do together when I got home from work… but it doesn’t seem like my little guy shares this right now. I hear the stirring of his Lego as he looks for the next piece he needs in his giant bin.
Lego is a calming activity… and for me, that stirring sound of the bricks in the bin has become a calming sort of music…
So often I see my son working doubly hard to navigate his way through the complexities of the social world.
So often, I am struck by the effort he puts into 
the things that just come naturally or intuitively for those who are not Autistic. So often – he has to try to step up – and fit in – and stay in step.
Today I will scrap my agenda, and let him set the pace.
I will listen to the music of his Lego and take the time to breath…
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30 Days of Autism is a project designed to fight stigma, promote civil rights, and increase understanding and acceptance for those who process and experience the world differently.
© Leah Kelley, Thirty Days of Autism, (2011)
Thirty Days of Autism 
Thank you for your 30 days of autism posts – you have a wonderful, engaging voice and an inherent awareness that’s so often missing out in the world in general! Thank you too for visiting my blog. We have to stick together, we moms and dads and caregivers and lovers of these precious, beautiful, challenging children! Best to you on your journey. Again, thank you. ~ Amy
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I would like to encourage others to read your posts as well. You writing is so honest.. and loving… and poignant. To understand the experience of having a child with autism- might help the world (or maybe just the woman behind me in the grocery store line) to cast a more gentle and less judgmental gaze. Your blog is a critical part of developing that understanding.
Thank you Amy! ❀ Leah
(PS – they are “Snowdrops”- I have them in my yard and don’t worry- they will make it through the snow. 🙂 )
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Amy and you are amazing women who will help forge the way for all the rest of us who want to understand and become more aware how to support the social interactions that are waiting to be invited in.
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This is a wonderful post. I love the music of LEGOs. We are in the process of moving and today my son went to his table wanting to build, but then realized his LEGOs are all packed. He felt a little lost. I was cleaning out his closet and pulled out all his old Thomas and Friends sets. He hasn’t played with them since he became obsessed with LEGOs. He now has a train track set up in his room, his smile happily restored.
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