Took DD4 to the movies, what a Nightmare she was!

[GoofyG]

So I took the kiddos to see Toy Story 3 today. What a nightmare it was with my DD4. She had total meltdowns, everyone starring. Then she had to go potty so many times. Never did, just wanted out of her chair. I need to go back and see that movie again for everything I missed. Unfortunalty she will npt be going back to another movie for a very LONG time!!!

I was ready to cry I was so tired of everything she was doing. It can mentally and physically wear you down! I love her , but I get so worn down !

I'm really stressed about our trip at the end of July.


On a side note: AWESOME Movie for what I saw!!!!

 

[melissa37]

Sorry to hear it didn't go well. It was a great movie too!

It was several experiences like yours that sent us to the sensory friendly films shown by AMC. It's so great not to have everyone staring when the meltdowns happen! I wasn't able to do a film with DS7 until he was about 5. Then we were good for about 1 1/2 years. Then we had a horrible experience at UP last year and he has refused to go back to the movies since.

I've back off for a while and take DD5 as a special girls only treat right now.

Give everyone a break for a bit and then try again.

I hope your trip goes well, try not to stress too much (easier said than done, I know).

Good luck and hang in there!

 

[GoofyG]

We are still new to all of the SPD with DD4. I have a question, my DD4 seems to have gotten worst with her behavior and stuff. Is this normal, do some kids get worst when they get older. OR am I just not doing something right. I need to make an appt with a behaviorist.

 

[bookwormde]

If she has difficulties with the movie environment, it is best not to start with 1st run movies, since one you establish a pattern of anxiety, it is hard to work backwards. The best way to start with movies is some second run or classic movies which your child is already familiar with on DVD. Do not plan to stay the whole movie just build up a little at a time (and do not go with the anticipation of seeing the movie yourself since in the beginning you need to be focused on her needs and status).

As for behaviors getting more pronounced this typically comes from two areas, first the world's sensory expectation get more complex and challenging as children get older so the limitations and accommodations must be ramped up to match to limit the "abuse" and associated anxiety based behaviors that come with it, second is that a large percentage of the kids who are install diagnosed as SID have additional differences in social skills and EF and she is at an age where expectations (both yours and the worlds) naturally increase in these areas, so when challenges and anxiety are from multiple sources, manifestations (initially behaviors) ramp up.
Please do not chase the behaviors, find the source, otherwise when will just keep moving from manifestations to manifestations eventually ending up with serious co morbid conditions like PTSD, OCD, ODD, chronic anxiety and so forth.
Fully understand your child's and her neurology and make sure you have competent clinicians (which are quite rare) accommodate for her sensitivities and needs and teach her the skills that she needs to adapt to the NT world to the greatest extent possible.
The movie "event" is a good example of what happens if the above is not standard practice, We all are learning, so move forward and as you accomplish the above suggestions you will find thing improve greatly.
bookwormde


As for behavios getting more pronouced this typcially comes from to areas, first the world sensory expectation get more comples as children get older so the limitations and

 

[WheeledTraveler]

I have to admit that at 4 (and I was considered developmentally normal at that age) I couldn't have sat through a movie in a cinema. I know I didn't sit through the first movie I saw in a theatre (Little Mermaid when I was 5), although that was partially because I got scared. IMO, it's perfectly developmentally appropriate for a 4 year old not to necessarily be able to understand and cope with how things work in a cinema. (And I'd think that might be extra true for Toy Story 3, which everyone I know who has seen it has said isn't really a kids movie). I wonder if maybe an additional factor for your daughter is the noise because cinemas are very, very loud and can be very confusing for people with sensory issues. I pretty much don't see movies in cinemas anymore partially due to this. (Although a lot of it also has to do with trying to see movies as a wheelchair user and problems with that)

I think bookwormde's suggestions for working her up to being able to go to a cinema for a movie are good ones. And even before that you could try simulating a cinema experience in your house with turning lights off first and then working up to needing to stay quiet and seated while watching, etc. That way she's really familiar with the process before she's in a situation with other people.