Raise your hand if you know the full moon can do weird things to our kids with autism. Now raise the other hand if the time change does the same. And now, raise a foot if the barometer dropping messes them up, too. And guess what? I have the perfect storm for autism in my house this weekend!
I dread the time change every fall and spring. I can’t imagine why anyone thinks messing with the clocks is a good idea but no one asked me. My kids don’t have as terrible time as some others, but their sleeping/eating will be off for a few days. And sleepy hungry kids and sleepy mom equals not much fun. Within a few weeks, we’ll be back to whatever sense of normal we have.
The full moon is another issue. Anyone who says a full moon doesn’t affect people doesn’t work in a school, hospital, as a first responder or live with someone with autism. From a few days before the moon is full till a few days after (yeah, about a week!) their behaviors are off.
Rob might be more anxious and loud. His search for pop tabs and paper clips becomes even more frantic as he tries to deal with the anxiety. His “Long Black Train” phrase will be really loud and he’ll let out yells that could wake the dead. (Sorry to our neighbors – I’ve got a few windows cracked between the rain bursts!) He’ll be looking for stuff to shred and hoping the battery on his iPad lasts a long time.
Casey isn’t loud. It’s hard to describe what she’s doing. I’ll call it strenuous dancing. By that I mean, her pacing figure 8’s in her room has become serious stomps and that girl is moving! I hope that new carpet holds up as long as the manufacturer assured me it would! She wants to go to Mandy’s house to Odd Lots to McDonalds to Dollar Tree. Basically, anywhere but here with me. She wants Tracie to come.
And now you add in the crazy weather. Rob is pacing. He’s been in the dining room 5 or 6 times to look out the window as I write this. He is tense and humming. His fairy dances are not as light-footed as usual. I wish the storm would just get here and be done, but it appears it’s going to come and go all afternoon.
So – an autism perfect storm. Rob is having a harder time than Casey, but he also recovers faster. They both slept last night, so that’s a huge bonus and I’ve got my fingers crossed they will crash tonight, too. We just ate lunch and Casey is already asking for supper. Luckily, for once, I’ve actually thought ahead and had an answer to “supper?”
I don’t know how to help your little ones through an autism storm like a full moon and a time change. So many things that cause stress and anxiety can be avoided, but unfortunately, neither of these can be. Be ready with stress relievers – bouncing, swinging, ripping paper – whatever helps calm your child.
Relax your policy of how long they can watch their favorite movie. If they are happy, you will be happy. Pop in that movie and sit back. These crazy days are not the best time to start teaching a new skill or change the routine anymore than needed. Do whatever you need to keep things calm.
Stock up on what you need to stay relaxed. I prefer ice cold coke and perhaps a snickers bar. A soft blanket and a good book work wonders, too. I also do yoga and workout as stress relief. At times, I can get Casey to do yoga, too, and I keep Rob stocked in magazines.
When people tell you that the full moon, weather and time change can’t possibly have the affect you say it does, invite them to take your child for a day. Or an afternoon. Even an hour. I guarantee they won’t say these things have no affect again. Sometimes, the best way to stop “know it alls” is to show them the error in their thoughts. Try to hold in the laughter when the kids are returned still going strong and the adult is exhausted.
On a much happier note – Casey just told me that the time change for next spring will be March 11 and the month has two full moons (EEEEKKK!) but one is the 1st and the other the 31st. So we have a year before these will happen again. Good luck and deep breaths!
Did I say your blog is not only informational, but also some comedy that should make us smile.😊
Someone should laugh at my circus! 🙂 🙂 🙂