Skating has always been something Xander has enjoyed. The lady who works admissions knows Xander by name, and has a wall of his art and receipts behind her, because he goes pretty often. Sawyer has gone a few times, but for the most part, it's been hard. I understand. The place is a sensory nightmare even for me, and I don't have autism. It's loud, with the noise of people and screaming children and the DJ and music. It's bright, with fluorescent lights everywhere and then a disco ball on top of that, not to mention the bright lights and noise of the nearby arcade.
But on this day, skating was Sawyer's happy place. It was early, so the crowds hadn't arrived yet. It wasn't as noisy as usual. And he skated and skated and skated. All with that big smile on his face. I love how when we keep trying, sometimes, we find things that he eventually enjoys even though none of our earlier visits would have suggested it. There are places where he pulls the car door back shut on you, because he doesn't want to go. There are places where he yells and screams and even cries. But, eventually, he finds his way.
Except for Target. There's no love for him with Target. (Also, I think, because of many of the above things - bright lights, noise, enormous crowds of people). We keep trying, and we've progressed from flopping down in the floor in the doorway, but it's usually a quick trip and multiple "all done" moments from him.