I have always had a family calendar in a desk type journal and then a weekly wipe-off type on the fridge for quick reference. My friend Trinity suggested that I make Nash his own calendar to help with any changes in his routine. This has been a real life saver many times over.
BUT................
A couple of weeks ago I scheduled an intake meeting with a local agency, VMRC. I didn't really point it out on the calendar nor did I remember to put it on Nash's calendar! Between the intake guy and me...we screwed up the date. I had kept Nash home from school to make him late for school and the intake did not show...'cuz there was a mistake. When I saw the mistake, it was after hours of waiting and drama...I rushed Nash to school. Swearing that I would NOT do this again!
So, tomorrow is our new appointment.
On Sunday...like every Sunday.....I erase the old calendar and write the new calendar for the family....and Nash. I pointed out to Nash that on Thursday, he would be late for camp or could decide to not go to camp that day. I explained what the appointment was and that was it. It was being done...no more talking.
It has been a source of anxiety ever since.
Why do I have see this guy?
Who is he?
Why is he coming to our house?
Why do I have to miss camp?
You can't make me miss camp!
You can't tell me what to do!
I don't want to see this guy!
I hate him...he's mean to me.
The closer it gets....the more anxious Nash becomes. Yesterday....I had a HUGE light-bulb moment! I got the notice of appointment, with all the pertinent information on it and showed this to Nash. He is a concrete thinker...this he can't argue with. It worked! It worked for almost 2 1/2 hours. He was accepting of the appointment and even asked if he COULD go to camp late.
I was feeling pretty good about myself!
Then it started all over again.
Why do I have see this guy?
Who is he?
Why is he coming to our house?
Why do I have to miss camp?
You can't make me miss camp!
You can't tell me what to do!
I don't want to see this guy!
I hate him...he's mean to me.
Today...from the moment I woke up this morning...this is all Nash can talk about.
I am crazed. I have told Nash that I can NOT talk about this anymore! It's happening. Stop talking!
Then my sweet adorable son...became the jerk. Threw a fork at me. And threatened to throw another one. He lost 5 minutes of time before bed. The evening...SUCKED!
Nash is a mess. Threatening to runaway tomorrow before the guy comes.
But now...it is quiet. Nash is drugged up and sleeping. I am PRAYING that he sleeps the entire night because this is a new thing...sleep. And honestly....I am really loving the sleep! SLEEP ROCKS!
I am dreading tomorrow. The appointment is at 9am....so, this is potentially, if we are lucky......3 to 4 hours of crazy. Or Nash will wake up at 3...like is usual before the new drugs and the torture will be for 6 hours!
Hubby and I started making plans already for diversion tricks.
Can I just say....I hate Autism. Not just a little...but a really whole bunch!
First of all... how did it work out today? I feel you. I don't have a child with Autism, but I work as an instructional assistant in our school district. I recently had a 1 on 1 with an autistic kinder (age 5). I learned so much from him, but everyday was a new challenge, with lots of repetition from previous days' challenges. Hang in there. You're a great mom.
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