The boys had a stressful morning because they were nervous about their flu shots. They're always nervous because in their minds, it's far worse than what it ends up being.
The simple act of getting flu shots is a very overstimlating, anxiety filled meltdown making event.
The anxiety builds until it's their turn for the shot. Panic sets and it goes downhill very rapidly. They absorb each other's anxiety and feed off it, making things exponentially more difficult.
All things considered, they did well. Gavin did amazing and while he was scared, he bravely went through with it. The boys were brave but incredibly anxious. The anxiety overwhelmed their ability to cooperate but we managed to get it done.
They all came out the other end of this appointment and while they aren't even thinking about it anymore, the fallout is apparent.
Many people avoid getting the flu shot each year because they think they're too busy or they don't see the point. Maybe they think they're not going to get the flu because they've managed to avoid it in previous years. Maybe they're afraid of vaccines in general or just don't like needles.
The process is extremely simple and takes a few minutes for most people. It's painless, you don't get sick from it, it's covered by insurance and can even be free for those without insurance as well. Check out what Akron Children's Hospital has to say about the importance of flu shots. Click *<strong class="text-zinc-900 font-semibold">here</strong>*.
Whatever your reason is for avoiding it, please reconsider. Families like mine who have immunocompromised kids, get the flu shot because it helps keep our child safe. We rely on everyone else to do the same as well because the flu can be deadly for kids like my son.
The process for getting the flu shot is incredibly simple but for families like mine, with special needs kids, it can be extremely difficult.
Being Autistic, getting flu shots for my kids is a nightmare and something I'd like to avoid but we can't.
When they go through something like this, they tend to deal with it by getting all ramped up. They're literally bouncing off the walls and have lost their inside voices. They're screaming and running around because of the anxiety. If they don't burn that off, it will build internally until they have an explosive meltdown.
That said, even if they burn off most of this nervous energy, meltdowns are still possible and probably even likely.
It is what it is. We're used to it but it never gets easier.
The importance of getting them vaccinated, far outweighs the behavioral issues we'll have to deal with for the next day or so. I wish it was easier on them and subsequently us as well but it's just one of those things that we, as Autism parents have to take on in order to do what is necessary.
No kid likes to get shots but typically, it's an *in the moment *kinda thing. By that I mean, a kid is nervous but as soon as it's over, they move on. Kids with Autism will be nervous and if you can actually get the shot done (because sometimes it ends up not being possible due to behavioral issues) it only continues to escalate afterwards. These kids can literally be traumatized by this and it can take anywhere from hours to even days for them to decompress. You can expect to face frequent meltdowns, sleep disturbances and other behavioral problems as this happens as well.
Then of course there's the generalization that occurs. This means that because they got shots at the doctor this time, they assume that every subsequent time they go to the doctor they'll be getting shots as well. That means they react to each subsequent appointment as if they're going to get shots, even if they aren't.
It takes forever to work through that. By the time we work through it, vaccines are due, starting the process all over again.
That said, we take this challenge on each and every time because it's so important that they be protected from serious illness. The ends justify the means but it can be a very stressful, life disrupting, overwhelming and frustrating experience for all involved.
We go through this because Gavin has a compromised immune system and getting the flu shot keep us healthy but it also helps protect Gavin as well as those around us.
It helps to limit the spread of the flu in general and if everyone did their part, perhaps we could get through the flu season with fewer fatalities. Last flu season took the lives 80,000 people.
We knowingly put ourselves through this extremely challenging process every year because it's the right thing to do. Our lives are already impossibly difficult on a good day and doing this makes things even worse for a period of time.
We're doing our part to help keep you and your loved ones safe, please do your part to protect your own family as well as those around you who may be immunocompromised. The flu is not something to mess around with but we have to power to limit our chances of getting it.
