Backseat Karaoke

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Length: 1:11

Those old enough to remember the Electric Company (or hip enough to have bought the DVD box set) will likely remember the "Sign Song", written by Clark Gesner, and unmistakably arranged by Joe Raposo. The boy's current affinity for the song is due in part to its second half, in which the vocals are omitted (so that viewers could read the signs and sing along at home).

Here he demonstrates his mastery of the song (including an unintentional endnote on the mp3 I hijacked from the DVD), and a camera awareness I've not revealed in the past.

Couldn't resist, though. Cuteness prevailed.

Night Bubbles

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Length: 1:15

This one's dark, gotta admit it. Not, like, heavy or serious. Just: almost impossible to see.

Comedian (Mirror IX)

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Length: 1:59

Practicing a few comedy fundamentals in the mirror before heading off to bed.

One of the reasons the boy's extended family and friends initially had trouble understanding his autism assessment was his impish sense of humor. It's not something that's seen in the forms of autism typically shown on talk shows and news programs (what I like to call "TV autism"), but the spectrum is both broad and mysterious. Christa's doing a fantastic job chronicling the particulars of the boy's special spot on the spectrum in her new blog.

He has always loved making us laugh, especially during the evening bathroom ritual. (See here and here for relevant examples.) Of course, he still needs to work on that whole making himself laugh while he's doing it. Not everyone can get away with what they got away with on the Carol Burnett show.

Insomnia III

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Length: 0:33

Would you believe Christmas morning, 2006?

Ball Pit

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Length: 0:43

Taking a break from the trip down memory lane, with a moment from earlier today. Can you spot the boy?

Insomnia II

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Length: 0:46

Past bedtime. October 2006.

Story Time #13: Time of Wonder

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Length: 1:24

From late March, when the boy was beginning to feed us lines. Tricky, as he was still working on his own diction (for example, here where he can't quite say "begins"), but remaining insistent that we get it right.

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Length: 0:53

From the morning of his third birthday back in January, upon receiving the full-size version of a book he already owned in boardbook form.

Story Time #11: Apt. 3

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Length: 0:17

A quick driveby.

Story Time #4.5: Big Time Olie

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Length: 1:04

Here again in August 2006. The boy's diction is limited, but definitely expressive, as he reads to his grandparents two thousand miles away.

Floor

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Length: 1:02

A moment of "outsider" modern dance from August 2006.

Sigue (Run VIII)

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Length: 1:21

At this time a year ago (when I captured this), the boy was running the loop at a serious clip. It was a pace not unlike this (running this same track in the house) that triggered the heart/anxiety incident that landed me in the ER this summer.

The word, of course (Spanish for "go on!"), was learned from Dora. Or Diego. Who don't teach children the Spanish language so much as they teach them random words to shout at the top of their lungs.

Recorded the same night as Bowling.