Just got back from SSR and Vero and No melt downs!

[pcparamedics01]

Just got back last week from SSR and Vero. We had no melt downs!
Although I am prize broke. He had to have something from every gift shop we went to. That is tough!! All and all a great trip. The weather was great. He loved the slides. The beach is very soothing for him..... He is an avid swimmer so we spent a lot of time at the pools. I had one incident at the pool. He was going down the slide backwards. Of course. He always tries to do this. The lifeguard was calling for him. He did not answer. So I went up to him and told him he was ASD and to talk to me if he has any issues. The lifeguards are more than understanding. Always make sure you tell them in advance. It helps matters a lot.

 

[Forevryoung]

So glad you had a great trip!

As my mom always says "pick your battles". Being out a few bucks was probably worth it on both sides.

 

[pcparamedics01]

So glad you had a great trip!

As my mom always says "pick your battles". Being out a few bucks was probably worth it on both sides.

More than a few bucks! More like Franklins

 

[winniethepoohsmom]

I'm glad you had a great trip! How long were you away for? Linda

 

[pcparamedics01]

I'm glad you had a great trip! How long were you away for? Linda

We were away for 6 days...

 

[Forevryoung]

More than a few bucks! More like Franklins

My dad says "it may not grow on trees but what else is it for?"

He's got a unique outlook on money and it doesn't always make mom happy as she's in charge of the budget, but it's taught me a thing or two about money and life

I bet sometimes you wish that a bunch of Franklins would make life or a situation easier.

 

[pcparamedics01]

My dad says "it may not grow on trees but what else is it for?"

He's got a unique outlook on money and it doesn't always make mom happy as she's in charge of the budget, but it's taught me a thing or two about money and life

I bet sometimes you wish that a bunch of Franklins would make life or a situation easier.

If I had millions, I would give it all up to get my son cured!!!!!

 

[Forevryoung]

If I had millions, I would give it all up to get my son cured!!!!!

I don't doubt it

But even on a smaller scale, I bet that there are times where you wish a Franklin or even two would stop a meltdown

 

[0hmyheck]

No meltdowns! That is so great. It is funny how we celebrate the little things that are so big in our lives.

Congrats

 

[pcparamedics01]

I don't doubt it

But even on a smaller scale, I bet that there are times where you wish a Franklin or even two would stop a meltdown

You said that right!

 

[KirstenB]

It sounds like a wonderful trip!! Do you think your son is getting less "overloaded" as he gets older? Or was there something different you guys did this time? Maybe the time of the year? I hope I'm not being too nosy, but I really appreciate hearing other parents of ASD kids experiences.

 

[pcparamedics01]

Well my son mainly has melt downs if he doesn't get a prize as he calls it. Of all rituals I get the prize ritual. It is really tough and it is partially my fault because I usually give in because I do not want a scene. I try to limit him to something cheap, but he prefers anything that will light up in some way usually. Other times its toy flip phones that make a lot of noise and lights up. Some melt downs are also caused when he is overloaded or over stimulated. But usually non existant.

Disney is tough because any gift shop he sees he dashes in there. At home it is easier. I just try to stay away from certain stores. Sometimes it does not even matter for when he gets desperate for a prize he can find one in any store, Grocery store. Even in Home Depot he will find keychain flashlights etc. It is a ritual like event. Typical kids would stop crying after a while if they do not get what they want. My son will continue the whole day, and have a complete melt down of screaming, crying, shouting etc. So it is easier for me to say one thing! Well it is usually one thing everyday. Because the next day the ritual starts over. The things he wants aren't terribly expensive. Sometimes I get away with a light up Disney pen. It is the hunt for him as well. He usually does not play with it again after he obsesses about it for the full day. The next day it's on to the next new hunt for a new prize. His sister usually takes them over after he is done. So it is not a waste. At home I usually try to get my grocery shopping done etc when he is in school. So no melt downs because of the prizes. But he will hound me all week. On Friday will I get a prize? I usually will let him pick something out on Friday. But I need to choose my battles. We would rather have him get the prize than have it ruin everyones day. Especially when it is usually a 5.00 gift. But the hard part is I have a 4 year old and I cannot let him get something and not her. She was so wonderful on vacation. She collects dogs. So she wanted Pluto. She got that. The next day she knew her brother was heading for a store. She said," Mommy I don't have to have anything just buy it for my brother." I wanted to cry. She knows he is different. I let her pick out something anyway because she was so generous.

 

[Forevryoung]

As your 4 year old gets older, she will also start to realize that there is a huge difference between a larger item that costs more and 5 smaller ones- and while that doesn't help in a way, it will even out in the end.

I'm just brainstorming but would there be a way to switch the prize over to something you already have? For example:

Start collecting and boxing up the things you have already bought that he was thrilled over for that singular day. On your next trip, he gets one prize at night (or every morning) from the "prize box". That is his prize for the day.

You can do it at home too- every friday he gets a prize from YOUR box. Fill the box with things that interest him, that you can reuse because he discards them, things on sale etc. Would that help at all?

 

[pcparamedics01]

As your 4 year old gets older, she will also start to realize that there is a huge difference between a larger item that costs more and 5 smaller ones- and while that doesn't help in a way, it will even out in the end.

I'm just brainstorming but would there be a way to switch the prize over to something you already have? For example:

Start collecting and boxing up the things you have already bought that he was thrilled over for that singular day. On your next trip, he gets one prize at night (or every morning) from the "prize box". That is his prize for the day.

You can do it at home too- every friday he gets a prize from YOUR box. Fill the box with things that interest him, that you can reuse because he discards them, things on sale etc. Would that help at all?

They thanks! I have tried recycling gifts forevyoung however it does not work. He literally wants nothing to do with it again. It is almost that once he conquers it that is it. Although many months later at least 6 months it can be new again it depends on the prize! Am I doomed??

 

[pcparamedics01]

Oh sorry! I just reread your thread. It is not my 4 year old. She is not ASD. It is my DS9.

 

[KirstenB]

OMG, you mentioned "prizes" in your first post, but I thought it was just something he wanted on vacation!! How did you all get to ride any rides with all the gift shops?!! Just kidding. I understand.

Our 2 yr old is the ASD kid in our home. Sometimes our 9 yr old will notice me letting something slide that the 2 yr old has done, and she'll call me on it. Again, I'm glad you all had such a great trip.

 

[pcparamedics01]

OMG, you mentioned "prizes" in your first post, but I thought it was just something he wanted on vacation!! How did you all get to ride any rides with all the gift shops?!! Just kidding. I understand.

Our 2 yr old is the ASD kid in our home. Sometimes our 9 yr old will notice me letting something slide that the 2 yr old has done, and she'll call me on it. Again, I'm glad you all had such a great trip.

We ran from them! The rides kept him interested enough to run past the gift shops!

 

[Forevryoung]

Oh sorry! I just reread your thread. It is not my 4 year old. She is not ASD. It is my DS9.

Nono I was right... I'll clarify:

Your younger daughter will understand one day that you can buy her one bigger thing that will equal (in cost) to the amount you spend on her older brother's tiny things that make him just as happy as her one bigger item. I am assuming you would buy your daughter a gift or two throughout the entire trip (or event) as well instead of a small one or two every day

That's what I meant!

 

[pcparamedics01]

Nono I was right... I'll clarify:

Your younger daughter will understand one day that you can buy her one bigger thing that will equal (in cost) to the amount you spend on her older brother's tiny things that make him just as happy as her one bigger item. I am assuming you would buy your daughter a gift or two throughout the entire trip (or event) as well instead of a small one or two every day

That's what I meant!

Thanks! You know I reread it and realized this, only I forgot to reply. Sorry!!! Thanks for all of your input! I do that....