Every day is different with Josiah.  We never know what to expect but try our best to be prepared for whatever may come next. Most recently, Josiah has decided clothes should be optional. Though non-verbal, he’s been communicating quite clearly his preference to remain unencumbered with clothing.

He rips off socks, shoes, glasses, jackets and shirts with lightening speed.  If we are in the van as he disrobes, Josiah usually throws each article of clothing behind him. Sometimes he will hand us a shoe or his glasses, but only if we ask quickly before he tosses it out of sight. In the house, often times he throws each piece in the kitchen sink. Occasionally he will put his shoes and socks in the closet, again only if we remind him quickly before they end up in the sink.

He usually strips down to his pants and then stops.  I’m sure if he could figure out how to unbuckle his belt those would be off in a heartbeat as well.  For now, it’s a huge blessing he doesn’t have the manual dexterity to do so.  It doesn’t matter if it’s cold outside either.  Josiah is most happy to be wearing next to nothing.

If we prompt him through the steps of redressing, he just undresses again, unless we can distract him. Not always easy to do. Sometimes in his frenzy to throw things off his body, he’ll start grabbing other objects near him to throw as well.  In the van, the kleenex box will go whizzing by my head as I drive.  Or, he’ll lean way over and stretch to grab my purse to throw it. Interestingly, he most often throws his clothes to the back of the van but everything else he finds flies to the front.

It’s not unusual to have a sock or shoe zing by.  I’ve been clobbered on the back of the head with a water bottle more than once.  His backpack is very heavy and too cumbersome for him to throw, or so I thought. Though I wedge it between the front and middle seats as best I can, Josiah will struggle to free it and then attempt to toss it my way.

Once the disrobing behavior begins in the house, it’s as if Josiah is on a mission. He quickly scans the area for other items to throw.  Couch pillows and blankets, jackets and shoes have all been shoved in the kitchen sink. Pants, pull-ups, you name it.  If it’s in close range when Josiah decides to declutter, it’s getting tossed.

I’m grateful Josiah uses the sink instead of the trash can.  It’s much easier to notice misplaced items in the sink than in the trash.  We  lost a few electronic devices when Josiah was younger due to his trash can fascination. I just don’t understand this obsession with ripping off his clothes and clearing the area of everything in sight.  If I did, we could try to transfer this behavior to something more purposeful.

We could teach Josiah to climb trees.  He could harvest apples and oranges with ease.  We could sign him up with a roofing company.  He could toss the old shingles down to make room for the new ones.  Or we could hire him out to Extreme Home Makeover (don’t think that show is even on the air any more).  No need for a demolition crew to tackle the old house. Send Josiah in, give him a few minutes and he would clear that place in a jiffy.

Hey, I may be on to something here.  Spring is right around the corner.  Looking for someone to help with decluttering before you Spring Clean?  Give me a call. I’ve got just the guy for the job.