At home recently we have seen some regression from Deeds with his Autism. Meltdowns that had all but disappeared are happening multiple times a day and stimming repetitive motions are running amuck again. Yesterday we had parent teacher conference with his teacher. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I wasn’t expecting her to tell me how perfect he has been at school. I only guessed that as bad as he has been at home, school would be worse.
She reassured us that he was in the “honeymoon” stage of pre-k, and it was normal for behaviors at home to get worse since they can be on their best behavior at school. It’s good to know that he is enjoying school.
Today we had a check up at the burn clinic in Salt Lake. The drive is just under an hour but by the time we get to the hospital, find somewhere to park and get into register we are all very tired. Today Deeds screamed at the doctor anytime he tried to get a good look or feel of the burn and was just bursting with energy, stimming and jumping all over the place. Jeremy had to make a quick stop and we were going to meet him in the lobby. Deeds, Gwen and I sat in what I thought was a little alcove. I didn’t know it opened up on one side, just enough that Deeds could slip through while I was putting a shoe on Gwen and take off. After grabbing Gwen with one arm and the stroller with the other I sprinted after him. Only to have him bolt less than a minute later. This time it took longer to find him and he was almost out the door. I finally wrangled him into a corner and blocked his way with my leg and a chair. He started to hit his head on the wall. A behavior that was common when he was a baby but we haven’t seen in a long time. I absent-mindedly commented to Gwen that “Autism is not our friend today.” and a woman across from me gasped like I had stabbed someone.
Lucky for all of us Daddy showed up right then and took charge of Deeds. The only other incident we had on the way out was when he wasn’t paying attention and walked into the revolving door. Situations just like today are why we are getting the service dog. The hospital lobby was very crowded today and with Deeds getting so much faster as he grows up it scares me more than I can express that he will get hurt or lost. October and the service dog training can’t get here soon enough.
