Thursday, May 29, 2014

DEAR AUTISM-REGARDING YOUR ACTIONS OF TODAY





DEAR AUTISM: REGARDING YOUR ACTIONS OF TODAY 
by Pamela Mari 
Dear Autism:

Regarding your actions of today I am compelled to contact you.  This morning at home was nothing short of heart wrenching and I thought I was going to pass out for sure.  These meltdowns are starting to kill me.  Thank go we didn't have school this morning, however, we did have a very important eye doctor appointment in the afternoon. 

By 1pm I managed to get my son back on the semi-quiet track and myself in a state of semi-functionality to get dressed for the appointment.  These visits are always hard for my son.  You couldn't have crawled back into your hole and left us alone for today?  

We managed to make it to the Dr's on time and the wait was not long.  However, when the Dr appeared in the room in his typical friendly manner, your compadre "sensory issues" slinked into the room along with you and when the Dr's voice when UP AND DOWN, it set my son off on a mega-meltdown.  I'm tired of having to bring an actual "sign" with me to appointments that says:

AUTISM TRIGGERS - PLEASE DO NOT SAY THESE WORDS AND PLEASE DO NOT TALK IN KINDERGARTEN CIRCLE TIME SQUEAKY VOICE!  

Sometimes I just plain forget to warn people.  You could have reminded me!  It was too late.  My son was off in a full blown, cursing, crying meltdown.  Dr. and I left the room and left Dad to deal with the situation. 

I try to retain my composure to go to the appointment setting desk.  I can hear my son, still escalated in the  exam room.  

I'll have you know though, Autism, that by handing me lemons today, I went right on and made lemonade.  I never pass up an opportunity to explain to any living body standing still, about autism.  I explain that the sound of the dr's voice lilting up and down is like the sound of fingernails on a chalkboard to my son.  

Most folks listen and appear truly interested.  Perhaps they are just being polite but I don't really care.  They may retain one thought that I have communicated and pass it on to someone else in their life.  One more person educated.  

So in short, I wanted to let you know that I understand your presence is always there, looming around to create another upsetting situation.  But be warned I will not allow you to masquerade under the label of "bad kid" or "terrible parent".  I will tell all that I meet of you. Don't let it go to your head - I don't paint a pretty picture of you.