The Lions Hat

As you look through pictures on this blog, you'll see that one of the twins is always wearing a Detroit Lions hat.  And in life, I assure you, this is the same, except when water is involved.

The Lion's Hat has been a part of our family for almost a year now.  In fact, its one year anniversary with us will be October 15. 

Some of you might be thinking, how did a kid in Alabama end up with that hat? Well, he didn't get it here.  If you know me, you know I'm a Yankee by birth (and at heart, I might add) and the hat and my son were introduced during a trip to my parent's house in Michigan.

It's my brother's hat - who is a grown man, which is why the hat looks too big for my son's head.  It is.  My brother put it on his head and it was love at first sight.  Aside from taking a bath or swimming, the hat is on.

If you've read my blog before, you also know that my son has autism.  The great mystery of the hat we've decided has something to do with sensory pressure and something to do with visual comfort. It helps him control the stimuli that comes into his view.

This hat, being oversized, is not my first choice hat for him.  I miss seeing his big blue eyes and it's difficult for me to know if he's connecting with what I'm saying sometimes.  However, he's developed this adorable way of tipping his head up to make eye contact (ahh...sweet, precious eye contact...I still savor this somewhat recent novelty in our lives) that almost makes up for the hat being in the way otherwise.

There are two hats he will tolerate if there is an unfortunate incident with water or if I manage to snag the hat away to wash it.  One is a Detroit Tiger's hat (the kid's got loyalty :)) and the other is a black Fedora.  The Fedora does not get nearly as much wear time as I would like, but at least the Tiger's hat is a children's size and allows for a better view of his face.


 In the beginning with the hat, I tried to modify when he could wear it, i.e. take it off in buildings, especially church and the library.  However, what I found one day trying to work on handwriting at the library was that the minute the hat came off, his focus went out the window.  His whole demeanor changed from relaxed to wild.  So back on went the hat. 

This is not our first clothing obsession or "preference."  For over a year it was long sleeves and his blankie - even in 102 degrees Alabama heat, he dripped sweat and dragged the blankie with us, long sleeves and all.  Eventually that faded out without us making a big to do about it and I assume the hat will as well.  The hat brings him comfort in a way I can't understand.  To the outside world, he seems a little quirky.  The hat doesn't always match his Sunday best and I'm sure he'll be the only one with a hat on at his uncle's wedding next weekend.

But in the end, it doesn't bother me a bit.