Andy had a rough start to the day today. First of all, he slept in. Those of you who know Andy know that he NEVER sleeps in. I should have known it would lead to something not good.
Once he stumbled out of bed, 30 minutes later than usual, no less, he was in a sort of fog...like he wasn't really ready to be awake yet. He immediately laid down on the couch and refused to eat breakfast until he was able to "wake up" a bit more.
He finally sat up and was ready to eat breakfast. That's when the complaining started. He told me that he "didn't feel like" himself, and that he was "having a malfunction". I thought his choice of words was very appropriate! I'll bet that is what SPD feels like...a malfunction. Your body doesn't work correctly, your senses are exaggerated, things just "don't feel" right. Poor guy!
Because he slept in, he was off of his normal schedule. Unfortunately, Andy is a bit OCD with his schedule. He has never handled deviation from his schedule very well. The whole rest of the morning just felt "off" and I could tell he was having anxiety just from the schedule change.
By the time he ate breakfast, got dressed, and did his 15 minutes of swinging, it was almost time for school to start. As I drove him to school, I warned him that we were going to be arriving just before the bell, so he would not have time to play computers like he normally does before school.
His little face just looked so sad and defeated. I felt terrible for him. I can't imagine what it feels like to be him, to struggle with SPD and have all of those feelings and emotions and strange "malfunctions".
I walked in to school with him and explained to the teacher about his rough morning and his "malfunctions", and asked her to keep an eye on him for me.
And then, as much as I hated to, I had to walk out of the school leaving him there to cope alone.
This just doesn't seem to get any easier...
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Does brushing work?? Have you tried pressure on mornings he "malfunctions"? (I Absolutely love his wording, it is perfect for this situation!) Have you tried heavy work to try to help him get his feelings together? What about wall push-ups or wheelbarrows??? You probably know all this, this is just what helps Abby on her off days... I hate that you both were in that situation! Hopefully he wakes up in the morning back to his old self!! Hang in there! You did the right thing!!!
ReplyDeleteIt will get easier, just keep trying to do your best! It will get easier for the both of you. I know! A year ago both my daughter and I would be in tears when I had to leave her at school. Now, she runs ahead of me and says goodbye before we even make it to the school building. We have our good days and our bad days. Keep your chin up and you will find the best way to deal with these "malfunctions." Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day.
ReplyDeleteBarb--Yeah...we know the tools of the trade. Unfortunately that morning not much seemed to be working. I think his schedule was so off, he couldn't get back on track. He seemed to have a good day at school, though, so I think jumping back in was what he needed.
ReplyDeleteLiliana--It's tough some days, isn't it? I have a great school district that I'm thankful for, and they are terrific with him. But as a mother it's still tough sometimes to leave him there. I guess I just wish I could always be there to protect him.