One step back...
This morning, Raquel had a tantrum that caught me off guard because it brought back so many memories of how things used to be. I'm surprised at how easy it is to forget, but the flashbacks were loud and clear.The day started out fine. She slept very well, had breakfast, and was just a happy little camper. We headed to the grocery store early to beat the heat, and she had a great time shopping with me, even playing with the balloons they were given by the checkout clerks. (SIDE NOTE: I hate those balloons! I'm convinced that the checkout people handing them out have no children of their own because who would wish that car ride home on anyone?). Anyway, on the way home, I rolled the windows down in the car so she could feel the wind in her face - she LOVES to feel her hair blowing, even with a loud blow dryer - and she was all smiles when we pulled up to the house.
I have to say that I have absolutely no idea what set her off. We came inside, I put on the television so she could watch Noggin while I carried in the groceries, like I always do, but I couldn't even make it to the door before she threw herself back and started hitting her head. I immediately thought she may be hungry, so grabbed some snacks and that made her even more upset. After about 30-minutes of being unable to calm her - and visualizing my groceries still sitting in the car - asked her if she wanted to go into the bath. She got up and ran to the bathroom door, and watched intently while I ran the water. But today, the water didn't work. She started to tantrum IN the bathtub, and I have to say that panic pretty much set in because I was very confident injury was just moments away. And getting a slippery 35+ pound girl having a tantrum out of a tub was a very hard thing to do.
Finally, I called for Gabby - who was playing in her room with a friend - to help me. I know it sounds sad that I had to call in a 7-year old for backup, but don't forget that Gabby witnessed over a year of in-home therapy, not to mention 6 months of the daily sessions, just like I did. She's wise beyond her age and I am fortunate that she doesn't get freaked out by it all and truly seems to understand the circumstance. Gabby layed down with Raquel on her bed, softly talking to her and rubbing her head, and Raquel slowly started to calm. I put on the music (music didn't work earlier either), and she began to calm even more and became much more manageable.
Gabby went back to playing with her friend, and I slowly began giving Raquel little snacks to see if she was ready to have lunch. Once she was fed and had some juice, she was almost back to her normal self again. But it took over 2 1/2 hours to get her there.
She was playing in her room when Mike came home for lunch, moments after she finally calmed down. He took one look at me, the house, groceries unpacked in the kitchen and asked what was going on. When I told him what happened - as he could hear Raquel laughing and playing in her room in the background - I knew he thought I was losing my mind. But Gabby backed my story. :-) Then he took the girls out for ice cream to give me a break.
Two steps forward...
Mike sent me this picture from Petco when they were out.
It may not seem like a big deal to you, but it reminded me of Coach, her Applied P.E. therapist. One of the biggest things I asked him to work on with Raquel was getting her comfortable walking outside of her own element. And look at her go! She cruised around the whole store - running into her Uncle Skip at one point - and just having a good ol' time. She also now walks up to the top of our cul-de-sac, which is a hill, then all the way back down. It's great exercise for her and helps strengthen her legs.
Overall, I'm noticing a lot more positive changes than negative ones. A lot of her behaviors at this point are age appropriate, but the lack of verbal communication continues to remain the hardest part. I will be resuming the PECS so she can at least tell me with pictures what she wants or needs, until she can be more vocal.
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