We Go to the Met
Charlie and I went to the Metropolitan Museum of Art on Saturday. We had a fabulous time, and that includes the anxious moments, which were expected. It was a brand new experience for Charlie—-the first time he has gone to an art museum and to one that is not a designated children’s museum—and, of course, Jim was still out of town. There was some hollering and the usual looks: We just kept moving on.
(And later, as we waited on the platform for the PATH train near where the WTC once stood, I noted that Charlie’s fingers were red and that he was bending over to pick up a tiny white object: He had just lost a tooth and that must have been bothering him all day.)
We got into New York City and walked east to catch the #6 subway (another new thing) and then got off at 77th street (a dog got on). Then to the Met, where I haven’t been in years: We did a rather fast tour of the galleries of Greek, Roman, Egyptian and Near Eastern art, with me pointing out some of the myths, noting that an ancient Greek cuirass looked like it might fit Charlie, and dragging Charlie over to admire the restored interior of a rich Roman’s house. We rode the elevator a few times after Charlie found it and lingered in a gallery of Rodins (Orpheus and Eurydice……Cupid and Psyche) and walked through an exhibit of Jasper Johns. Yes, it was more of a walk-through than a leisurely gallery tour, but Charlie stopped when I called him so I could examine a painting, and he probably would have walked through a few more galleries but I thought it enough for a first visit.
Because I think we’ll be going back.
We took our time walking through Central Park south and saw a bit of the zoo. There were families and babes in strollers aplenty, and lines of police cars due to the Pope’s visit. Charlie took my hand and I followed his lead, and he seemed to know where he needed to go, south and west: We were soon approaching 7th avenue and Columbus Circle, not far from Jim’s office at Fordham University.
Charlie and I had an early dinner, caught the subway to Chambers Street and (following Jim’s effective although imprecise instructions to “walk down towards the construction with the Empire State building behind you”—-delivered to me via cell phone while Jim stopped in Kokomo, Indiana, at a Steak and Shake) took the PATH train back to Jersey City, and walked back down Kennedy Boulevard to the black car. At home, Charlie found two old DVDs—of Sesame Street and of Goodnight Moon—that are partially filmed in places we had just been, in Central Park and on New York streets.
I think he enjoyed our afternoon together in the city. I can’t say how much I did.
Tags: Art, asd, asperger, autism, egyptian, greek, jasper johns, metropolitan museum of art, mythology, new york, pdd-nos, rodin, roman, sculpture, subwayRelated Stories
POSTED IN: Art, Classics, Parenting, Travel, Videos, new york
12 opinions for We Go to the Met
M
Apr 20, 2008 at 7:49 pm
Was there anything in particular that he responded to, or was this just a introductory visit?
I can see Charlie possibly going for Dutch guys, like Mondrian. Plasticism. Clearly defined parameters, everything contained yet vibrant. Boundaries adhered to. Visually rich yet with enough space to disperse the intensity of it. Who is the graffiti artist? Keith Haring, if I’m spelling that right? Similar in a way. Clean and hectic at the same time, a nice mirror to perceptual intensity.
I don’t know. I wish I lived where museums were prevalent. I…without being facetious…can go and visit a poultry museum. It has a giant, bronze chicken statue. Seriously. Chicken statue. It’s enough to make a person cynical.
Andrea
Apr 20, 2008 at 8:01 pm
It is awesome that you recognize Charlie’s actions of finding the NYC scenes in books as evidence (non-verbal yet nonetheless astute) of his recognition, learning, ability to make associations and communication of enjoyment of the day. Before your next visit check out Sesame Street’s “Don’t Eat the Pictures” video. It is still available at libraries or used on Amazon and has real footage filmed in the Met. It’s like a social story for the Met! Also my kids loved the book/movie “Mixed up Files of Mrs Basil E Frankweiler” which gave them things to look in the museum.
kyra
Apr 20, 2008 at 8:42 pm
what a wonderful mother/son outing. i love that charlie found those movies with nyc locations. that sounds like he wanted to hold onto the day a bit more. yes?
MomtoJBG
Apr 20, 2008 at 10:25 pm
That sounds wonderful. It’s so great when you successfully try a new kind of outing.
We went to an Earth Day celebration yesterday, and everybody had a good time (in their own, idiosyncratic ways).
S.L.
Apr 21, 2008 at 12:06 am
Sounds like a nice day indeed. We are getting ready for our trip to NYC this summer (your posts about your walks through the city always make me smile). I am excited to show the girls (within their comfort zone, of course–our plans often change to fit ‘their’ plans…ya know!) all the sights and sounds of the city. To help prepare my youngest, I found 2 great books (one is 123 NYC, the other ABC NYC) with tons of pictures related to NYC. Now, onto making social-stories for plane and subway rides, and seeing relatives. :)
Marla
Apr 21, 2008 at 10:17 pm
Wonderful! I am so glad you had a nice time. M loves art museums. Me too!
Kristina Chew, PhD
Apr 21, 2008 at 10:26 pm
yes I do think he wanted to “hold onto the day more” (love that idea!).
“don’t eat the pictures,” ha—I was a little worries about touching or tapping paintings or very ancient statues (more my worry, most likely).
I didn’t think that Charlie seemed to respond to any of the art particularly—think there was just to much to take in. Keith Haring, I have thought of him too as someone whose work might appeal to Charlie—the bold colors and lines, and, M, I really like how you put it, if art with these features might appeal to him:
Charlie’s always been drawn to color (primaries and bold—no pastels) and to shapes. Mondrian, hmmm……. Maybe Brancusi?
Ron Bass
Apr 23, 2008 at 9:13 am
Hi Kristina,
I wanted to ask you some questions about Charlie but don’t think iif it’s best direct email or on Autismvox.
Kristina Chew, PhD
Apr 23, 2008 at 6:25 pm
Hi—you can email me at kristina AT b5media DOT com—
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