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How this face could have put me through what he did for the last 24 hours is beyond me?! I can handle meltdowns. I almost feel like I'm a professional at it. I've been trained by professionals to deal with them so why was I in tears today? Lucas didn't sleep for two days! Which means, I didn't sleep for two days. He has never slept right but every once in a while he goes through these times where he doesn't sleep at all for reasons beyond me. Because of the stomach bug a few days ago, he didn't really eat that much for the last few days, which is another normal issue, so that in itself was enough to bring on a meltdown. The combination of the sleep deprivation and hunger from being sick made me witness a whole new level of meltdown that I didn't know existed! It was so bad that I actually called and took him to the pediatrician to make sure there wasn't something seriously wrong with him. He's has meltdowns all of the time but they've never lasted more than an hour. This one lasted for 24 hours with no sleep! My hands were shaking it was so bad. He has a molar tooth that just broke through the gum. He is ultra sensitive to pain and she said it could be the cause of the entire event. When he gets like this it breaks my heart! I just want to comfort him like most Mothers can comfort their children but he is inconsolable. I think because he can't communicate it frustrates him even more. He kept saying Boo Boo,
hup,
hup! (
hup is help) That's as far as it goes. He can't tell you were he hurts, or even point to where it hurts. He just stares and says the same thing over and over again. I think it overwhelms me so much because as a Mother I should automatically know but I don't. As hard as I try to understand what he's trying to say I just can't figure it out.
This is the reason why I started this blog. To let other parents know what I've been through so they know that they aren't alone and to get responses and support from parents who've gone through it and made it out alive!
LOL
NOTE TO SELF: STOP ASKING GOD FOR PATIENCE!
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Oh no! I'm so sorry you had to go through this and poor exhausted Lucas! I think you are right, it sounds like a combination of all those factors led to this massive meltdown.
Our kiddos have trouble self regulating their bodies so things that come naturally to most people (like sleeping when tired, eating when hungry, calming down when overwhelmed, recognizing their body temperature) are not automatic for ours.
And when they are out of sync, everything just snowballs- they can't eat, sleep, use the potty- it gets ugly. Sickness, stress, or pain like your son's teething just adds to the situation.
I've been there (and still get anxiety remembering the incident on the airplane) but somehow survived. Having a strong sensory diet, consistent routine, and go-to therapies for emergency meltdowns did wonders for us. I always have to remind myself that prevention is key and that I shouldn't skip parts of his daily therapy when he's having a good day.
I'm happy to say that it starts to get better as they grow up because you can explain to them about how to read their body signals.
When my son turned 2.5 yo he began to let me know when his body "felt mixed up". He was beginning to recognize when he was disorganized and I'd give him extra calming input.
Now that my son is 3 and semi-rational, whenever he refuses to eat or nap, I remind him of what happens when he doesn't take care of his body. He even made up this funny song called "Listen to Your Body".
Hang in there, you are doing a great job! If you haven't already, check out this post by Hartley over at MLW3B. It was what guided me this past year.
http://www.hartleysboys.com/2010/01/tips-for-
newly-diagnosed-families-with.html
Thank you Keri! You almost feel paralyzed when they are going through it. I told my husband I felt like I had Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome after dealing with this meltdown. I had to go with him to my older sons school field day just to make an appearance and the special ed teachers where saying that they were "Sorry" to me because they could see that there was something amiss. I love, love, love that I found everyone through SPD Blogger Network. Only a Mom who has been through a meltdown with one of these masked angels knows the depths of what we really go through.
When I read this post, the thing that struck me was the comment at the end...
NOTE TO SELF: STOP ASKING GOD FOR PATIENCE
That is echoed at my site today-- I am also linked up thru the carnival.
Our meltdowns have gotten less dramatic but the emotions of the event are still strong.