Sharing and venting.
Autism sucks. My 16 year old (old timer’s might remember the threads from chistmas 2004) is kinda medium functioning on the Austism spectrum. She had a meltdown a few weeks ago, but then calmed down with the whole family in the van and was fine to go get the first covid shot. It’s been many years since there has been this kinda meltdown.
Today when we went to go for the second covid shot. She just couldn’t calm down in the van middle seat. Freaked out as soon as the door shut. Screaming, kicking, climbing to the front seat to get out. We spent about 2 hours trying to leave the driveway but no dice. The poke clinic called to remind us to come in, and a really nice lady Florinda was on the phone. I said we’re trying to go but youngest is having an autism meltdown. Florinda was on speaker and had a great conversation with my daughter to encourage her to come in, and told me not to worry about the appointment time.
We tried lunch and a second time. Kidlet wanted me to stay home. AS soon as my wife started the engine, kidlet freaked, screamed loud enough for me to hear, then tried to climb over my wife out the open window. A half hour of trying to get on an even keel, then my wife and the other twin went to get their shots. As soon as they drove off, kidlet wanted to try again. I spent two hours while kidlet’s brain wrestled with fight or flight between wanting to go, but not willing to leave the van to go back inside.
Finally, kidlet moved to the front seat (I redid the child locks on the sliding doors). I tried to circle round the block multiple times. Finally, started to go to UW about a 10 minute drive away. Got two blocks, and kidlet wiggled out of the seatbelt and climbed out the door (I stopped in time). Only took about 15 minutes to calm down, and back in the van. She wanted to keep going instead of returning home. Drove a couple of minutes and then same thing in a traffic circle. I stopped, got the emergency lights on, and around to her side as she bolted out.
Other cars all stopped. Very patient. Two rolled down windows to ask if they could help. I said autism spectrum and I need to help her calm down. One blocked the traffic circle so no cars could get thru. I got my daughter to the edge of the traffic circle with the van in the way of the thru traffic. I had thoughts that some folks might think there is a child abduction in progress. Officer Ian showed up pretty quickly. Again, “my daughter is autism spectrum and having a meltdow.” “Let me come around the circle to block traffic.”
He was really nice as well. Very calming (and thankfully recognized it was not a child abduction in progress). I got him talking to my daughter. Second Officer showed up. Officer Ian helped sheep dog my daughter back into the van. I thanked them and we started to go over lake Washington. Kidlet dug her fingernails into my arm but calmed down as we crossed the bridge, and then pretty much back to normal for the last mile to UW. Ms. Florinda was working the intake, and gave my daughter a promised gold sticker, took us to the front of the short line, sheparded thru to get poked, and then sat with us for the 15 minute wait period afterwards while kidlet played candy crush. And we drove home with no drama. Kidlet is on edge as one might expect after 7 hours of fight or flight short circuiting, but getting back to the happy bunny she typically is.
So, we’re all poked, and there are helpful people in the world. Autism sucks but shit happens. I’m having a well deserved beer and shot of Jameson’s Stout Whiskey.
PS. Have already messaged the PD and UW thanking the helpful folks in both places.
