The boys had a horrible morning. There are some days that as a parent, Autism kicks my ass up one side of the street and down the other. Today is one of those days.
Elliott sorta worked through his struggle but Emmett was another story all together. Poor Emmett wouldn’t wear a shirt and it took until after 8:30 AM to get him in the car. By that time, they both missed breakfast at school and that only compounded the issue.
I think a large part this mornings nightmare was the result of anxiety related to getting his flu short this afternoon. I know that was the case for Elliott as well.
Emmett spent all his resources trying to cope with his anxiety surrounding his pending flu short, that he didn’t have anything left to cope with his everyday struggles. In this case, those struggles were sensory related and manifested in not being able to wear a shirt.
We finally got him through it by spending every ounce of patience and energy we had between us.
Gavin’s blood work had to be skipped this morning because we were so late that we didn’t have time before his doctors appointment at 9:30 AM. In a way, it probably worked out to his advantage because him immunologist might want labs as well. This way, we can do everything at the same time and he only has to get stuck once.
When we get out of his appointment this morning, we have to pick up the kids from school and head off to Cleveland for their appointment. I’m not looking forward to the drive because it’s going to be loud, distracting and stressful.
All I want to do is make it through the day and live to fight again tomorrow. ☺
Dutch took the words right out of my mouth. I understand and agree that you don’t want Emmett to feel punished when his sensory issues flare up, but everyone else is being punished when the house gets held hostage because he can’t tolerate his Crocs. I really do wonder what would happen if you said “okay, you can stay here but I am taking Elliott to school”. Would he be able to work through it if he felt he were going to miss out on something he wanted? Have you ever tried it?
Can you explain why saying “I’m taking your brother to school for breakfast and your other brother to the doctor. You can either get in the car or stay here with your mother and wait for your doctors appt this afternoon. Your choice.” Isn’t a viable response?
I know you have said it’s not that simple, but I disagreed in the past and never quite understood why the other two are punished when he is having issues. I would think this would eventually help him learn that he needs to work through his discomfort in a timely manner.