# Autism sucks but there are kind people in the world **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 11, 2021, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/autism-sucks-but-there-are-kind-people-in-the-world/939776 "2021-04-11T02:00:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![China\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/779978/32.png) [@China\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/China_Guy)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2021, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/autism-sucks-but-there-are-kind-people-in-the-world/939776/1 "2021-04-11T02:00:25Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![janis\_and\_c0](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/janis_and_c0/32/21_2.png) [@janis\_and\_c0](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/janis_and_c0)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2021, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/autism-sucks-but-there-are-kind-people-in-the-world/939776/2 "2021-04-11T02:20:37Z")
Whew! Love her heart… good on all of you for getting through that! ---
**Author:** ![BippityBoppityBoo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bippityboppityboo/32/5745_2.png) [@BippityBoppityBoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BippityBoppityBoo)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2021, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/autism-sucks-but-there-are-kind-people-in-the-world/939776/3 "2021-04-11T03:16:00Z")
Good on all of you indeed! So glad to hear of the police officers, fellow drivers and Florinda’s kindness and understanding. I hope I would have responded nearly that well. Thank you for telling the story-it will inspire me to extend that kind of kindness when I can. ---
**Author:** ![VOW](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/vow/32/3043_2.png) [@VOW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VOW)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2021, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/autism-sucks-but-there-are-kind-people-in-the-world/939776/4 "2021-04-11T17:59:50Z")
God bless those helpful people! Your post brought tears to my eyes! ~VOW ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_McQwark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4da419/32.png) [@Steve\_McQwark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_McQwark)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2021, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/autism-sucks-but-there-are-kind-people-in-the-world/939776/5 "2021-04-11T18:21:10Z")
Thanks for sharing your story, China Guy. The jerks get most of the publicity but there are a lot of good people out there. I’m glad you encountered them when you needed them. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2021, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/autism-sucks-but-there-are-kind-people-in-the-world/939776/6 "2021-04-11T18:53:05Z")
I’m glad to hear it! ---
**Author:** ![ratatoskK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ratatoskk/32/2987_2.png) [@ratatoskK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ratatoskK)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2021, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/autism-sucks-but-there-are-kind-people-in-the-world/939776/7 "2021-04-11T20:31:48Z")
I’m glad that there were such wonderful people helping along the way, and that it all turned out ok. ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2021, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/autism-sucks-but-there-are-kind-people-in-the-world/939776/8 "2021-04-11T20:35:45Z")
Who is chopping onions in here? Cause my eyes are watering. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![ENugent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/4af34b/32.png) [@ENugent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ENugent)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2021, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/autism-sucks-but-there-are-kind-people-in-the-world/939776/9 "2021-04-11T20:55:05Z")
I’m so glad this story had a happy ending! My kiddo (almost the same age and also on the spectrum) had a successful meningitis vaccination and blood draw this week. Once the waiting period after the meningitis vaccine is done, we’ll work on getting the Covid one. FWIW, Seattle Children’s was willing to prescribe EMLA cream for blood draws (we also use it for vaccinations, now that we have it). I don’t know how much it actually reduces the pain of the needle, but it seems to have a very beneficial psychological effect to be able to do something to prepare. ---
**Author:** ![carnut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnut/32/3531_2.png) [@carnut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnut)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2021, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/autism-sucks-but-there-are-kind-people-in-the-world/939776/10 "2021-04-11T22:32:05Z")
China Guy, wonderful story. I’m so glad that you actually received help when requested. Lots of folks are still short-circuiting and impatient after a crazy year so it does our hearts good to hear this story. Thank you for sharing. ---
**Author:** ![not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/not_what_you_d_expect/32/3246_2.png) [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/not_what_you_d_expect)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2021, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/autism-sucks-but-there-are-kind-people-in-the-world/939776/11 "2021-04-12T00:23:42Z")
Whew. Autism sucks indeed. Thanks for sharing this with us. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2021, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/autism-sucks-but-there-are-kind-people-in-the-world/939776/12 "2021-04-12T01:10:51Z")
Amazing story, **China\_Guy**. You have much more patience than I’d have, and thank god for the good people who helped. Yeah, who’s chopping onions here? ---
**Author:** ![Pitchmeister](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pitchmeister/32/3459_2.png) [@Pitchmeister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pitchmeister)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2021, 8:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/autism-sucks-but-there-are-kind-people-in-the-world/939776/13 "2021-04-12T08:17:53Z")
I might be really showing my ignorance here, but having no connection to anyone on the autism spectrum I need to ask: what do you think makes a 16-year-old behave like a toddler for what you said were 7 hours? Was it the accumulated stress of a year+ of COVID-related BS? The act of going to a doctor? Of getting a shot? I just can’t imagine what might cause an otherwise functioning near-adult to behave and freak out this way. I applaud you, **ChinaGuy** , and I can’t imagine what you’re going through. Please forgive my nosiness, I’m just trying to understand what happened there. Glad to hear that everything worked out in the end, but how do you cope in the heat of the moment? ---
**Author:** ![Pitchmeister](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pitchmeister/32/3459_2.png) [@Pitchmeister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pitchmeister)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2021, 8:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/autism-sucks-but-there-are-kind-people-in-the-world/939776/14 "2021-04-12T08:30:31Z")
Also, congratulations on being fully vaccinated. Consider yourself very lucky (as an American) - Germany still has a veeeeeery long way to go. ---
**Author:** ![kambuckta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/53a042/32.png) [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2021, 8:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/autism-sucks-but-there-are-kind-people-in-the-world/939776/15 "2021-04-12T08:30:48Z")
You and all the other folk done good China Guy, but what a harrowing experience. Have two whiskeys. 🤣🤣 ---
**Author:** ![TokyoBayer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tokyobayer/32/13989_2.png) [@TokyoBayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TokyoBayer)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2021, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/autism-sucks-but-there-are-kind-people-in-the-world/939776/16 "2021-04-12T12:59:40Z")
Wow! What a day! I’m glad it is finally over for you! ---
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2021, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/autism-sucks-but-there-are-kind-people-in-the-world/939776/17 "2021-04-12T16:21:49Z")
There are a lot of wonderful people out there. I’ll never forget officer Driskell (that’s really how it was spelled) of the Mass. state police, but that’s another story. Nice story and I am glad it all worked out. ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2021, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/autism-sucks-but-there-are-kind-people-in-the-world/939776/18 "2021-04-12T16:37:05Z")
I’m glad everyone was so patient and understanding, and I’m glad that your daughter is feeling more herself. I know days like that aren’t easy. Long distance glass clink 🍻 ---
**Author:** ![ENugent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/4af34b/32.png) [@ENugent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ENugent)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2021, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/autism-sucks-but-there-are-kind-people-in-the-world/939776/19 "2021-04-12T18:42:28Z")
> [@Pitchmeister](#): > > I might be really showing my ignorance here, but having no connection to anyone on the autism spectrum I need to ask: what do you think makes a 16-year-old behave like a toddler for what you said were 7 hours? Was it the accumulated stress of a year+ of COVID-related BS? The act of going to a doctor? Of getting a shot? I just can’t imagine what might cause an otherwise functioning near-adult to behave and freak out this way. [This](https://themighty.com/2015/04/what-an-autism-meltdown-feels-like/) is a pretty good description of what’s it like inside to have a meltdown. ---
**Author:** ![nelliebly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nelliebly/32/5422_2.png) [@nelliebly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nelliebly)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2021, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/autism-sucks-but-there-are-kind-people-in-the-world/939776/20 "2021-04-12T21:01:47Z")
Changes in routine, anxiety, and the stress of the unknown are too much stimulus for people with autism. It’s overwhelming. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/autism-sucks-but-there-are-kind-people-in-the-world/939776.md?page=2)