Hi Moms - I posted last week about my little guy having a tough time. He's very high functioning autism, and doing pretty well up till now. It seems that he’s been crying a bit at school since the 22nd. He had a dentist appointment and I had to pick him up right when school ended and aftercare began. I think he was confused about what was going to happen and where he needed to be. We had talked ahead of time, but he's 6, so don't know what stuck and what didn't. According to the teacher, he cried at lunch that day because he “missed me”, then he was sure he needed to be in the car pick up line, but I was picking him up from the office area/aftercare. He was crying when I came to get him in aftercare, but recovered quickly.
The next day was the zoo field trip, which he knew I wasn’t going to be at, but he wanted me there. He cried again on and off through the trip because he missed me. He talks about the things he did, so he was having some fun but he was “out of sorts” for it.
I guess, since then, he’s been missing me. He has said that he “doesn’t like school because it’s long, and he’d rather be with me.” I tell him I understand, but that’s how school works, and I have to work, but I will pick him up after work as usual. He’s not real upset when he says it, just matter of fact.
If you have any ideas on how to “reboot” his sense of security, I’d love to hear them. I think he lost confidence in how things work when he had those days in a row that were not routine, maybe?
Thanks!
I love the kissing hand idea. Also, can you put a photo of the two of you in his backpack? And tell him that you have the same one on your desk because you think about him all day and look at his photo and pretend to be with him.
IMO, the kids are really ready for the end of the year. I know mine is.
Show him on the calendar the last day of school and schedule a "date" for that night. Maybe ice cream for dinner? Pizza party? Special movie?
Then let the countdown begin!
Good luck!
It could be as simple as his crying is getting him something he wants. I know my Andy is more logical than even I am. To him everything is cause and effect.
So far as a disturbance in routine, that always sorted itself out in 24 hours. That is kind of why I think it may be something else.
Heck it could be because we are close to the end of the school year. He knows that will throw everything up in the air for a few weeks.
I suggested before and will suggest again getting the book "The Kissing Hand." Kids REALLY relate and it has helped my granddaughter get through MUCH tougher situations. I believe it will have a more profound effect on him than just talking or empathizing with him. Really, please get the book and read it to your little guy.
Put a penny I. His pocket and tell him whenever he is missing you to rub the penny. I would not give him a picture of you. If he is missing you a picture will make it worse. A penny acknowledges that he ,issues you and can touch it. You rub it before you give it to him. Works well.
