Probably to late to help today, but
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Probably to late to help today, but
| Sun, 04-08-2007 - 1:12pm |
I was wondering if anyone had any advice for dealing with family functions?
| Sun, 04-08-2007 - 1:12pm |
I was wondering if anyone had any advice for dealing with family functions?
Crystal
That's exactly why we do the functions at our house now and on a small scale. The boy is having a sensory overload with the pitch of the kids crying.
My son stims so bad at my relatives that my dh has had a nervous breakdown not to go there anymore (he's a whiner himself, long story, ugghh)
Dont' feel bad, just try to undderstand. I know that's easier said than done.
We have a kid party next week and it'll be a big one (family is huge, lots of comotion) and at least mostly all the people know I have an PDD kid myself, and to be patient.
I understand how your child feels, trying to find the best way to dissovle the issue before it bubbles over, that'll be what you need to try and figure out.
((hugs))
Nora
http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s225/irishwildrose/pp2.jpg
Crystal,
This is a tricky one.
visit my blog at www.onesickmother.com
Dear Crystal,
Welcome and yes, age 4 and family functions were hard for us as well, although my ds tended to just withdraw to read or watch videos and didn't want to interact or try anything in loud groups of people. He wouldn't come to the table for big sitdowns and never wanted to try to play with other kids, either. I don't have alot of great advice for you here, as it sounds like the problem is also in desensitizing him slowly to the sound of crying children, which is an area of trauma for him now. BUT you may be seeing more than the reaction to crying children, it may be more the size of the family functions. My ds certainly had no bad experience with crying children, but large functions with many people are still not very fun for him.
You talk about younger children AND family functions. Does he freak around younger children period or only when at a large function? Are your family functions a huge mass of people? Usually those things are not really fun for most kids and there is nothing for them to do but maybe watch videos or play video games. Family functions are for grownups, esp. grandparents, IMHO!
We limit the number of big functions we attend always, not fun for my ds OR dh. Also, we try to arrange for quiet separate activities for kids, places where ds can escape, plans of action so he doesn't get overwhelmed and we have to leave. Plus we plan our schedule to come at beginning when quieter, stay until at least most of the people we want to see arrive, then go quickly. These events can be managed, with help and understanding.
Now my dh is 9, loves all his cousins and they play and play during family functions. Sometimes all the kids head outside and play imaginary games, etc. And now the rest of my family is very understanding of how to help him when it all just gets too much.
Here's some advice that works ... bring headsets and music he loves! Bring books, Hang in there. This is a big learning process. And sometimes parents should just take turns going to functions without the child, KWIM? More fun for all. The younger child ear sensitivity thing is probably going to take awhile though. My ds still has trouble with church bells, although he is now over the tinkly sound of the ice cream truck.
yours,
Sara
ilovemalcolm
Thank you all :)
He did GREAT today...I have no idea why.
HOOOORRRRRAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYY
I am so happy for you
Nora
http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s225/irishwildrose/pp2.jpg
Oh, Crystal that's FABULOUS!
We had kinda a nightmarish family gathering yesterday....of course Isaac loves it on "my" side, it's just me, him, and my mom.