Funny Joke

Bug Boy told us a joke today that had us in hysterical fits of laughter. I mean, talk about tears in our eyes! Do you wanna know the joke? Do ya? Huh? Huh? Ok, hope I can do it justice. Here it goes:

Why did the chicken cross the road?

'cause he wanted to get to the other side! HA HA!!!!!!

No, really. That is the one he told us. Wanna know why we laughed so hard? It is a long story and I have never been accused of being reticent. So here is my best attempt at being abridged and coherent at the same time.

First the back story:

Darling has a step-brother Brian that is the same age we are (34, did I just admit that?) and has Down's Syndrome. He functions fairly well but mostly is like having a five-year-old around. One night the family was out for dinner to one of those cheesy dinner theaters. You know, the ones with the huge, fattening buffets made with large cans of institutionalized foods? Anywho, It was pouring rain, the show was TERRIBLE, the roof leaked and there was no one there. At half-time (I made a funny, it is really called intermission) the Emcee asked if any of the twenty captive audience members (no doubt all family members) would like to come up and tell a joke to warm up the crowd. So, Brian and his friend Brad (who also has Downs) were the only ones to raise their hands. Brian went first and sauntered up to the stage proudly. The Emcee handed him the mic, he cleared his throat, smoothed his hair and said:

Why did the chicken cross the road? To get to the other side!! HAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!

The place was roaring. It was so darn funny the way he acted surprised that no one got the punchline. He was beaming from ear to ear from the fact that someone laughed at his joke. Then Brad jumped up and ran to the stage to collect his thunderous applause. Brian slapped him on the back, gave him a little pep-talk and handed the mic over. This is what Brad said:

Why did the chicken cross the road? (Oh yes he did!)

There wasn't a dry eye in the place. And you could barely hear Brad's punchline (do I really need to type it? You know what he said!) people were laughing so hard. It made an otherwise dreadful evening one of the most fun I've ever had. They were so proud that on the way home they announced they were starting a comedy act. And they kept telling the joke and laughing at each other.

Guess you had to be there.

Anywho, that is part of the reason Darling and I were guffawing over that particular piece of humor.

Here's the other reason: Kid's with Asperger's and PDD (Bug Boy has a dual diagnosis at the moment until he gets a little older and they finally give in and tell me one or the other) typically have great difficulties with emotions, body language, facial expressions, sarcasm, jokes and the like. There is a concept called Social Stories that helps gives children with ASDs a script to memorize and work on until they get it. That way they can function better and interact and not be so isolated. I have been working on jokes and expressions with Bug Boy so I am proud that he FINALLY is getting it. Or at least memorizing it, the kid has a memory like an elephant, I tell you. If he hears you whisper something five miles away pertaining to a year from now, he will remember and remind you. Every five minutes. Until your head explodes like a smashed pumpkin.
So, we are glad the prompting and social stories are working a little bit. He is playing well with some kids, he is playing soccer and not throwing himself on the ground every time a kid takes away "his" ball and looks forward to his after-school group every week. At least things are going well with him. Now all we have to do is get things a goin' for Bugaboo! Stay tuned for his update.