Sensory Overload Sunday

Like other families with non NT kids, the holidays are not just a source of joy but also of stress.  I know that the week before Christmas is always especially so in our house.  I have had 23 years to get used to that.  Chet is on his way to ramped up now.  I start to see the little signs.  He starts being a lot less aware of his body and I have to watch out to make sure people and belongings are not bowled over when he comes through a room.  He begins to repeat quotes from books or movies more frequently, always a sign that he is getting overwhelmed.  And yesterday he came down for lunch telling me that people should see a doctor for a checkup 20 to 30 times a year because of all the toxins in the world.  Fixating on medical issues is a recurrent perserveration for him. I think in party this is also why it is important to him to do his shopping very early.  At some level he knows that he doesn't hold together all that well as we get closer to the holiday.

Fiona has issues at this time of year.  I always worry that hers will result in more  holds, or worse yet, harm to herself or someone else.  She has said that the reason she often bolts when angry is because she is afraid of hurting someone.  When a feeling is so big that you have to run away from it, I am not sure what you can safely substitute to help her stay safe and others around her.  I know they are trying to teach her to run to a safe space but it isn't working well or consistantly. 

Lissa is bouncing off the walls so much that her gymnastics coach asked her if she had too much sugar on Thursday. (um, the answer was she had consumed none!)  I am not sure that any of her behaviors individually would be considered unusual for a child at the holidays but combined together they are all over the top in intensity.  However, it is also hard to have your birthday close to the holidays, it is a double excitement whammy.

Rob's issues around the holidays come more from the loss that is also present.  He becomes a lot quieter and I have to work extra hard to draw him out.  Projects and arts and crafts are very cathartic for him though and work well.

Yet, despite that laundry list, there is joy.  The kids have made gifts, done art projects, looked at holiday lights, decorated cookies and today the tree gets decorated.  One of the things that I learned parenting Chet was that you can't stop having fun and making memories.  You have to do it differently sometimes.  And sometimes you have to give breaks (to them or to us parents) but listening to them talk I know that we make the holidays fun and that they will carry that forward through their own lives.