Sitting Still

Sitting Still
            Last weekend my younger son and I walked along Lands End at the far western edge of San Francisco, a nearby walk that feels like our own backyard. It was Labor Day weekend, and late summer visitors speaking languages from many countries filled the trail.
            My son is autistic and easily overwhelmed by too much noise and too many people, but years of hard work helped him become more acclimated to multiple sensory inputs, making it easier to tolerate crowds.
            I noticed an odd shape on a branch of a sculptural tree along a particularly busy part of the trail. I squeezed my son’s hand to stop. A long stare revealed the silhouette of a large hawk.
            People were making lively conversation as they walked past us, just we and one other woman stopping to look at the hawk.
            Who was this Zen master bird of prey, sitting like a statue despite the bustle of people?
            Later in the week, our son had his six-month dental cleaning. For an autistic person, doctor and dentist visits can feel like a sensory horror show. From toddler age, our son kicked and screamed and bit, anything to keep from going into a doctor or dentist office, including trying to run into the street to escape. Yet we had to find a way to take him for health care visits.
            Years of focused work incrementally acclimatizing to dentist visits gradually reduced the panic and struggle, though it is still challenging for him in his late twenties.
            The dental office staff has supported our son from the days when he resisted entering an exam room, and once inside, sat on a footstool for his teeth cleaning instead of the dental chair. He was exerting control so no one could trap him in the big scary chair.
            This week, we proudly realized how far our son has come. He willingly got in and out of the car knowing we were going to the dentist, walked into the office with only minor detours, and then walked into the exam room. He sat on the dental chair, and was remarkably calm as the hygienist and dentist brushed, checked and scraped his teeth.
            Other than one flinch at the polishing machine, I didn’t have to hold his hands to keep him from pushing dental tools away. His transformation to sitting still for a teeth cleaning took forever, but persistent effort was worth making his and our lives better.
            I was impressed with the hawk, and proud of my son, both sitting still in challenging environments. Take pride in the personal challenges you have worked hard to overcome, or have helped another person through. Keep putting one foot forward!
            This week’s Hike Notes from the archives, Lands End Lookout to Mile Rock Beach, takes readers along the Coastal Trail at Lands End to dramatic Mile Rock Beach.
            Check the Home page for the broader background story. Click Insights/Hike Update News for inspiring reflections. Browse hikes on the main Hikes page or on the Hike Search by Area page, and scroll to the bottom of each hike page to see full photo galleries.
            If you’d like to support HikingAutism, check out the Support/Shop page! Check out selected articles and interviews under Media. Click World Walks to see or share favorite family-friendly walks! Stay in touch with Lisa Louis and HikingAutism via Contact. The Links page lists a loose collection of helpful information links. Feel free to share and follow on Facebook at HikingAutism, Twitter at @HikingAutism, Instagram at lisalouis777, and Bluesky @hikingautism.bsky.social
 
This week’s hike from the archives:
Hike Notes 3: Lands End Lookout to Mile Rock Beach