Day trip to Exploratorium

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Registered: 03-31-2003
Day trip to Exploratorium
1
Thu, 04-20-2006 - 2:19am

We went to the San Francisco Exploratorium today, which is a big, interactive, hands-on, science museum. We've been many times, and there are always neat things to look at, although the ambient sound does get to be a bit much. We had one very AS moment. I take forever to describe it, but it was over in a few minutes, so not that bad.

There is an exhibit where, if you wait about 30 seconds to let steam build up in a chamber, and then you push real hard on the top, an impressive ring of steam poofs out the hole. Well, David had patiently waited his turn, and he was letting the steam build up, and three kids came running up and started pushing on the thing, making tiny bits of steam trickle out. David said, "Hey, didn't you ever hear of taking turns? I was here first." They totally ignored him, and probably didn't realize he was there at all. So David started screaming at them, "Didn't you ever hear of TAKING TURNS, you IDIOT?! Go away!!! All of you just GO AWAY!! GET AWAY FROM HERE YOU IDIOTS!!!!!!" I'm never quite sure what to do in situations like that, other than keep calm. When he was past that, and able to listen for a moment, I was able to tell him it's okay to say, "Excuse me, but it was my turn." It's not okay to shout, "You idiots!" But in the heat of the moment, there isn't much I can do. There was so much ambient noise, that the people didn't really seem to notice him yelling at them, or "get" what the problem was, especially since he didn't appear to be "doing" anything, since he was passively waiting for the steam to build up. I was very careful not to make eye contact with anyone...that's my survival strategy. If I don't see the looks, I don't have to deal with them. LOL! These situations are tough, because yes, it WAS David's turn. But, it was really loud in there, and I did say, "He's letting it build up steam," but no one heard or cared. It's a fact of life that sometimes people will do things that offend our sensibilities. A couple of years ago, at the aquarium, David had latched on to the idea that, since they technically aren't "fish", marine biologists prefer to use the term "jellies" instead of "jellyfish". Well, some woman was pointing into the tank, and saying, "Oh, what beautiful jellyfish." David shouted, "They are NOT fish!" The woman continued, oblivious to David, "Oh, Ralph, aren't these the loveliest jellyfish you've ever seen?" "THEY ARE NOT FISH!!" "Why, yes, Mildred, those are, indeed, splendid jellyfish." "AAAAARRRRGGGGG!!!! THEY AREN'T FISH, YOU HORRIBLE PEOPLE! WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOU???" Ah, yes. That's ma boy.

Other than that one people-cutting-in-line incident both boys did very well at the Exploratorim, and had a nice time. Admission was free, because my mom got us a year's family membership for Christmas, but we always spend a load in the gift shop.

Here's something very un-Aspergerish that David did. There was a new exhibit that had to do with emotions. There were about seven or eight photographs of faces, showing emotions like "fear", "surprise", "anger", "happiness", and something else, I think. There were doors over the faces which covered everything but the eyes, and you were supposed to see if you could figure out the emotions by looking at the eyes alone. David had no trouble at all. So much for AS kids being unable to recognize facial expressions. Then again, these were pretty intense expressions, done by professional actors, I assume.

I've never had the feeling that David has trouble recognizing facial expressions or body language, like AS kids are "supposed to". However, he does seem unsure how to respond appropriately. This exhibit just kind of confirmed that. (He also has no trouble dealing with "abstract" thinking; something that the IEP team agreed with.)

As for me, I had a nice time. But I did catch a glimpse of how fat I am in a full-length mirror, that, alas, was not a fun-house mirror. Ugh! I'm trying so hard to lose weight, but the Easter Bunny got this big chocolate egg, and I can't just NOT eat it. Well, okay, *I* am the Easter Bunny, but still....

Just had to share.

Evelyn

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Registered: 03-26-2003
Thu, 04-20-2006 - 9:48am

Evelyn.....I could feel your son's frustration about the steam incident just reading it. We have a science museum around us that has the same thing and I know what you mean......it is soooo noisey and over-stimulating in there.....kids screaming and running everywhere.....very few parents actually stick with their children to make sure they are not cutting and pushing......

I made the mistake of going to the zoo yesterday.....most of our area schools are on spring break and it was a gorgeous day weather wise so it was crowded. Your "jellyfish" incident reminded me of our train incident......son is a train fanatic, so every trip to the zoo has to include a ride on the Boomerang Express (in the Australian exhibit). Son has been on this ride so many times, he could run the darn thing. Well the mother in the seat ahead of us had the nerve to try to take a picture leaning out the window.....my son taps her on the shoulder and scolds her, "you are to keep all hands, legs and arms inside of the windows during the ride"......luckily she thought it was cute. Like your son, he can get very agitated if someone is saying (or doing) something incorrectly....

Christie